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We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time. Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Margaret's Profile
Margaret's family
Margaret
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Raising livestock
faceAge:
39
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($316 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to acquire a piece of land. I have a clear plan to achieve this objective by using the profits generated from my farming activities. I feel deeply grateful for the support that has enabled me to undergo a transformative experience, and I am excited about the promising journey that lies ahead. With determination and optimism, I look forward to making this dream a reality and embracing the positive path it will lead me on.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I had an enlightening experience during the operations at GiveDirectly. The officers there did an exceptional job of explaining the program in detail and providing us with the necessary information. Throughout the sensitization meetings, we were treated with the utmost respect and fairness, without any form of prejudice. Overall, I found no issues with the program's operations, and I am grateful for the positive and inclusive environment they created.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a farmer and a mother of four children, my livelihood depends on agriculture. Ever since I separated from my husband a long time ago, it has been my children and I navigating life together. However, it hasn't been easy, as we often face financial challenges and must work exceptionally hard to meet our basic needs. Fortunately, when I received my third transfer, I knew I had to use it wisely to improve our situation. The most urgent matter was my son's secondary school fees, which amounted to $120. Education is paramount, and I wanted to ensure my son's access to learning. Understanding that farming is our primary source of income, I decided to invest $290 into it. In the past, financial constraints made such investments difficult, but this opportunity allowed me to bolster our potential earnings and secure a better future for my family. With careful planning, I allocated the remaining amount to purchase foodstuffs. Ensuring we have enough to eat is essential, and I am grateful that I could provide for this vital need. Looking back on the recent past, I am filled with happiness and gratitude. Achieving so much in such a short period of time seemed impossible, but through hard work and determination, we have overcome hurdles and are making significant progress. Today, I am proud of what we've accomplished and optimistic about what the future holds for us.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($326 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With a lot of determination, I have grand plans for the coming year and beyond. Among my goals is the acquisition of a piece of land to free me from the burden of leasing. This investment will provide me with stability and independence. Additionally, I have a small plot in the shopping center where I envision constructing a thriving business venture or rental spaces. The profits from my current farming endeavors, under efficient irrigation, serve as the primary source of funding for these projects. By carefully managing these ventures, I am confident that the profits will soon enable me to purchase the desired piece of land. Even though I still face challenges in raising school fees for my children, I am optimistic that in the next few months, as two of my children complete their studies, I will be able to allocate funds towards fulfilling this dream.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has truly excelled in making a significant impact on people's lives and has brought about remarkable transformations in our village. I have witnessed firsthand the incredible achievements of my neighbors that would have been impossible without this invaluable support. The work done by GiveDirectly has been commendable, and I sincerely hope that the positive change we have experienced can extend to other villages as well. Furthermore, I believe that exploring additional ways of support, beyond financial assistance, would be highly welcomed and appreciated.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I made the most of my second transfer by investing in a significant upgrade for my farming activities. I purchased a large sprayer valued at $240 that had long been a necessity for my 2-acre plot of land. Previously, I had to bear the expenses of renting one, including operator fees and chemical costs, which always amounted to at least $20 at an interval of two weeks over a span of four months. Now, I am delighted that people in the community can lease the sprayer at an affordable rate of $5 per acre, becoming a valuable source of income for my family of five. The delays in receiving my transfers compelled me to borrow money from a friend to pay for my children's school fees. As soon as the second transfer arrived, I promptly repaid the debt, which amounted to $120. To sustain my family and fulfill our obligations, we relied on both goat farming and subsistence agriculture. Unfortunately, unfavorable weather conditions hindered our progress in several instances. In addition to the sprayer, I allocated $25 to acquire herbicides and other pesticides necessary for the two-acre tomato farm. This support has been immensely valuable, and I am filled with hope for the future. With the remaining funds, totaling $65, I purchased essential foodstuff to sustain my family of five.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($134 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the money at around 3:00 pm when I heard my phone ring. Upon checking and reading the name Segovia I could not read further. I had already paid school fees for my daughter who is doing her form four this year. I knew very well that failing to plan this cash would be detrimental because of the many needs that we had. The money came at a time that we hardly had any food within our household. I took almost a week organizing myself on how I was going to spend the money. I later withdrew the money and used it to fence a compound that now hosts my livestock.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving this transfer is that my stress levels have greatly reduced. Over the recent past some of my livestock were eaten up by a hyena since we stay close to a forest. Such happenings and failing to raise enough money to pay school fees are just but a few incidences that increases my stress levels occasionally. GiveDirectly came in handy and stood in the gap to help me reduce such stresses. I am personally very happy that I was considered to be part of this program. I am sure my life and that of my family shall henceforth change and we shall forever be indebted to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received a sum of $180, I used $60 to buy fencing posts and another $50 was used to hire a piece of land for farming under irrigation. $20 was used to cater for labour by people who helped me put up the fence. $15 was used to pay school fees for one of my children and the remaining amount was used to meet other needs of my family. I am eternally grateful that this transfer has completely turned around my life by enabling me achieve things that would otherwise have remained as just dreams. Being a single mother of four who relies on livestock keeping and irrigation farming to earn a living, things had been tough for me especially with the drought situation that we have been experiencing. We have hardly had any rains over the last three years making our lives very difficult. I am so happy and grateful to God for the mitigation that this transfer has brought not just in my life but for everyone within my village that has received this transfer. We look forward to achieving much more with the transfers that we are expecting and on top of my priority list is to clear school fees for my children and make them .kre comfortable in school.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
The transfer will help me pay school fees. I will first pay $200 areas. To ensure they continue with their studies smoothly, I will use the other $800 to pay school fees for the year. Additionally, I will have to do farming when the rain begins. This will help me support my children in terms of food, transport and other school needs. I have half a acre piece of land that I inherited from my father. I will plant maize and also rent another acre. This will produce about 12 bags combined. For food security, I will store 6 bags and sell the rest.
What is the happiest part of your day?
What makes me happy are my children. They are well educated. My son completed university, now a job seeker. I also have another daughter in university. It makes me happy seeing my children excel in their education.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I separated with my husband 20 years ago. Life's not easy being a single mother of 4. My biggest challenge now is paying school fees. I have one girl in secondary school and another studying in the university. I need to clear fees areas of $200. I am worried about this year. I will have to raise another $800 to support them fully. I depend on farming to sustain them. This year has been difficult because of the drought. I normally plant maize for sell to support my family. Now I cannot do irrigation because the river source has dried completely.