GDLive Newsfeed
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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Dama's Profile
Dama's family
Dama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
36
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I have new goals which are already put in place. I managed to buy 50 poles and some other building materials to use in the building process. I also managed to pay school fees for my secondary school-going children at Kes. 5000. Also to the primary ones at Kes. 5000. I am a mother of seven and this transfer has boosted me in life. I am a mother to four girls and three boys. I and my husband are farmer, but also burn and sell charcoal and together we farm to support our family, it's only that we are currently experiencing extreme drought and our harvest and cattle have been so much affected.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Receiving money has been my greatest happiness and I can complain about nothing. I am happy with the programme.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Built a house at Kes. 17000. Bought 2 mattresses 1, at Kes. 3050 and the other at Kes. 4500. I also bought a water tank to store water during dry seasons at Kes. 2000. Paid school fees at Kes. 12000 and bought food with the rest of the money.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($492 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 AM when I was from the waterpoint then I heard my phone ringing so loudly. I was so tired and opted to ignore the message notifications. I went ahead with my household chores and for about ten minutes another message popped in. I asked my brother to confirm for me what it could be. From the look on his face, I suspected there was some splendid news for me. He happily informed me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and I remember calling all my family members to inform them about the blessings.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that through the cash transfers I was able to send all my children to school. Before the coming of GiveDirectly into my life, they have been staying home for weeks because of the huge fees arrears. As a parent, I had always wished to see them going to school every morning like the rest and acquire the necessary knowledge. However, this was not achievable because my spouse and I have been relying on the burning and selling charcoal whereby in a day we would make KES 200. This was not enough to fend for the seven children and meet other basic needs like paying school fees on time. Sometimes we could skip meals and that is how miserable our life has been. I have been trying to make the ends meet but in vain. Therefore after receiving my cash transfers paying the fees was my priority and I am glad I finally made it. I am now optimistic that my children's future shall be bright together with their generations which have been my prayer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of y first transfer on buying several building materials like building poles at KES 5000, nails, timber and the threads and the labour charge at KES 7000. This was purposely for the construction of a new house becasue the initial one collapsed two months ago and I had to build a temporary shelter made of plastic bags and my children had to sleep in my elatives houses. I also bought two mattresses at KES 7000, the old ones had worn out and we could always complain of back pains every morning. In addition, I cleared KES 25000 for my children, one in secondary and the four in primary schools respectively. With the remaining amount.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a decent house to my household. Currently, I am living in a leaking small mabati house which can not accommodate while of my family of nine members. I am planning to build a two bed room house at the cost of KES 30,000.I will also use KES 14,000 to buy one bed and three pieces of mattress. I will also use KES 20,000 of the second transfer to clear fee balance of my daughter who is in four two The remaining amount will help me cater for other basic needs such as food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a mother with school-going children. My day starts at 6:00 Am where I wake up to prepare my children for school. Then I complete my household chores and I go to the forest to help my husband prepare charcoal. I spend the whole day there and return home in the evening.This is the time I get enough rest and meet my children where we share meals together and go to sleep.Evening is therefore my happiest part of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced is lack of money. My husband and l depend on a charcoal-burning business that pays very little-KES 2500. Due to this, I have not been able to raise enough money to construct a big house that can accommodate all of us. All of the earnings go to food leaving other needs unattended.