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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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Karisa's Profile
Karisa's family
Karisa
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
House construction
faceAge:
62
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($519 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is now different than it used to be. I have my sons who are in colleges and this money has greatly helped me in clearing their fee arrears. Ever since receiving this transfer, their education has never been interrupted for failure to pay their tuition on time. I also own a pair of oxen which I am using to plough my farm. Previously, I was using hoes to prepare and plant, which were tiresome and ineffective thus at times bigger acreage was left uncultivated because hiring oxen was costly. The acquisition of this pair is very important to me because I am assured of doing my farming timely. I will no longer be hiring, instead I will also be hiring to them at a fee during the planting season.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well in transforming our lives by supporting us financially. We were facing financial difficulties and since we do not have anything to depend on in such hardships, we are left to the pains of poverty that has engulfed us, with nothing to pay for our children's education and living in houses that are in poor condition with no hopes of upgrading to better shelter. However, our lives have greatly changed since our children are comfortably in school, providing for the basic needs is no longer a problem to us and furthermore, we have been able to build new decent houses for a good shelter. So far, I do not see anything that GiveDirectly doesn't do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a larger percentage of my second transfer to pay for my children's college fees. I took KES 25000 for one who is currently pursuing a course in mechanical engineering. It's my expectation that he will complete his course which will enable him to seek employment opportunities. I also took KES 20000 to pay for tuition fees for the second who had enrolled for another course. He had stayed jobless for years and its also my expectation once he completes, he will as well be eligible and ready to make use of any employment opportunity. I believe its through providing a good education that my children will succeed and be able to depend on themselves in future. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount to do a shopping for my family on the daily foodstuffs as well as paying other daily household expenses.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
It's always the joy and pride of a parent when their children prosper in life. Since I believe that education is power, I'm so happy and proud because I managed to take my children back to college after clearing their college fee arrears. This is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was early in the morning when I heard my phone vibrate and upon checking the message I was amazed to see that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I shared the news with my spouse, and she was happy too.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I have three daughters in college, and they had college fee arrears that couldn't allow them to continue with their studies. The moment when I received the money I used a larger portion of it to clear the college fee and I'm happy they managed to go back to college. In addition to that, I bought two cows for rearing with a portion of the money as a way of investment because I believe in future after they have given birth I can sell the calf to raise money for meeting other family needs. We had run out of food in the house too, so I bought enough foodstuff that could take us for some period of time.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For a very long time I have been yearning for a nice semi permanent house that would cushion me from the cost of doing repairs during rainy seasons.The coming of Givedirectly money will help me achieve that dream house so that even during heavy rains,I will not have to worry.
What is the happiest part of your day?
At my age now,I can't never do so much beyond 2:00pm due to the intensity of the sun.I always start a normal day by going to the farm in the morning then from mid morning take to herding my cows and goats.After two in the afternoon, my grandchildren will take over the herding to allow me time to relax.This is the time I feel so happy when relaxing from the two routine activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Without any stable source of income,am always worried about how my children will go to school and how my dilapidated house will have a facelift.If I had a stable source of income,I wouldn't be worried about the two things.