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.
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Completed
Newsfeed > Laureen's Profile
Laureen's family
Laureen
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
21
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($368 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Providing my child with a quality education is a top priority for me. The challenges I faced during childbirth have heightened my determination to ensure the best possible future for my child. I want to offer him an opportunity to receive a good education, empowering him to pursue his dreams and achieve his potential. I believe that education is a powerful tool that can open doors to a world of opportunities, and I am dedicated to making the necessary investments to support their learning journey. Beyond education, I also aspire to establish a stable and reliable source of income for my family through business, though I have not yet settled on the type of business I actually want, I am doing background checks to see the most suitable one. By generating a sustainable income, I aim to create a comfortable environment where my family can thrive. In this pursuit, my ultimate goal is to create a better life for my child and my family. Through hard work, dedication, and the support of initiatives like GiveDirectly, I am committed to realizing these aspirations and building a future filled with hope and opportunities for my loved ones.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The unique aspect of GiveDirectly transfers is that it offered me the freedom to choose according to my priorities. This individualized approach recognized the diverse and specific needs of beneficiaries, resulting in a significant positive change. Furthermore, the impact of such tailored support has extended beyond my personal circumstances. It has sparked a ripple effect within our community, serving as an example of how strategic assistance can bring about meaningful change. Witnessing the positive outcomes has fostered a sense of hope and unity, inspiring others to envision a brighter future for themselves. Reflecting on this journey, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity given by GiveDirectly. This experience underscores the potential for positive change when resources are directed, in ways that align with the unique needs and aspirations of individuals and their communities.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The support from GiveDirectly has been pivotal in bringing about transformative changes in my life. With the $500 of the transfers received, I managed to build a house. When I first married my husband, we did not have a proper home. The embarrassment of having our household number written on a piece of cloth (lesso) was a stark reminder of our circumstances. The lack of a dignified living space was a challenge we faced, especially as newlyweds navigating our new life together. The opportunity to use the GiveDirectly transfers to build a house was a momentous step towards securing a stable and comfortable home for our family. In addition to addressing our housing needs, the transfers also provided relief in terms of food security. With $30 allocated for food, my husband, who works as a shamba boy for someone else, can better meet our nutritional requirements, thus alleviates the stress of ensuring that our basic sustenance are met.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($439 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I vividly recall being at home relaxing after a long walk from the hospital where I had taken my child for a routine check-up when I received my transfer. I was scrolling through my phone when I came across a text message indicating that I had received money from GiveDirectly. This was the best news I'd heard in a long time; it was so refreshing that I forgot I was tired. I was overjoyed because I knew I would be able to complete my tasks on time. We then began to plan how we would spend the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The most significant difference in my daily life is that I was able to construct a decent house. I could have built it sooner, but due to financial constraints, I was unable to do so. I am overjoyed that I have finally accomplished my goal. Second, I am pleased and satisfied that I was able to purchase enough food for the house, which means that we will no longer be able to sleep on an empty stomach. I will be eternally grateful for the wonderful gift that transformed my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I had made plans for how we would spend our transfer. As a result, when we received our initial transfer, my husband and I agreed to spend our funds on building a decent house with $ 350. This is because the house we were living in was small, but we didn't have much money to renovate it. My husband is a mason, and I am a stay-at-home mom. We only have one child. I eventually used the remaining funds to buy enough food. I am overjoyed and relieved to have reached these significant milestones.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
First off, my house is in a very bad shape as you can see. It's too small that just a four by four bed with a metal box on the side is enough to completely fill it up. Again the roof is a flat one somehow too low that ends up making the whole house hotter than oven during the day. Still, because of the short roof its walls are also washed down with some parts of the roof leaking too. I plan to construct a new one when I get this money. It should be at least two roomed with a proper iron roof. This will cost around $600 , after which I will buy some goats and cows to also have my own domestic animals that I can always sell when I need money urgently to solve something.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I really fear the situation of lack of resources that I need to be able to get our lives together. For this reason, I normally get happy whenever my husband is able to provide for us effectively. This happened last in the month of September when he managed to work for the bamboo producing farm throughout the month and was able to properly take care of us. This is the time I was able to get three meals per day and also afford the supplement tablets prescribed for me. It was a complete happiness!
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Here in the village we're just living a life of inadequacy! My husband was initially employed as a waiter in a particular restaurant in Mombasa town where he used to earn $150 monthly. But he lost this job in February this year, just five months after marrying me. We had to move to the village to reduce our expenses. All along I have been a housewife without any economic activity. He's right now struggling to get by to an extent that he has decided to be going for casual jobs at a particular organization in the village that produces bamboo. This pays meagre wages of as low as $10 per day. In most cases he has to also burn charcoal to be able to provide for us. This hasn't been working so well either, and so we still have to skip meals a lot which is not easy for a pregnant woman.