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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Hellen's Profile
Hellen's family
Hellen
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
64
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($360 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Acquiring dairy cows is a significant aspiration for me, and it's one that I believe will greatly enhance my life and financial stability. With the support I've received from GiveDirectly, I'm looking forward to making this dream a reality. The primary goal of getting dairy cows is to ensure a consistent and sufficient supply of milk for my household. This contributes to our nutritional needs and reduces our dependency on external sources for dairy products. Having enough milk at home means a healthier and more balanced diet for my family. Furthermore, the surplus milk can be sold, providing an additional source of income for me. Previously, I used to sell animal feed grass, but this income was not always enough to cover our needs. By venturing into dairy farming, I hope to have a more stable and reliable financial situation. The extra money earned from selling milk can be used for various purposes, from covering household expenses to investing in other income-generating activities. This step towards dairy farming represents an opportunity for financial sustainability and a better quality of life for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I'm truly grateful to GiveDirectly for the profound impact they've had on my life. Their support has been transformative, and I now feel empowered to pursue my aspirations and enjoy a better quality of life. First and foremost, having a good house is a source of great comfort and security. Previously, I lived in a mud house that required constant maintenance and was physically demanding. It also posed health risks to me due to my existing health conditions. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to build a more suitable and durable home, made of timber and iron sheets. This has not only improved my living conditions but has also significantly reduced the stress and worry associated with my previous housing situation. Moreover, the financial support from GiveDirectly has allowed me to access the appropriate food for my health conditions. This has been a tremendous relief, as I no longer have to struggle to find suitable food options. My overall well-being has improved, and I am no longer emotionally drained by concerns about my health. In essence, GiveDirectly has provided me with the means to lead a more comfortable, secure, and emotionally stable life. I'm profoundly thankful for their assistance, and I look forward to using this opportunity to pursue my goals and aspirations with renewed vigor.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Building a new house has been an important milestone in my life, and it was all made possible by GiveDirectly's tremendous help. My former home, a modest mud hut, had been increasingly difficult to maintain, particularly given my age and health issues. The continuous repairs and upkeep were physically taxing and had an impact on my health. I decided to build a new house from solid lumber and iron sheets using the $500 I received. This addition not only provides a more pleasant and safe living environment, but it also provides dust protection, which was a major worry for my respiratory health. In addition, I spent $30 of the funds on food. Due to my health condition, which requires certain nutritional requirements, managing my diet has been rather difficult. As a result, food costs can be relatively high, and I've had to borrow from my children on occasion to cover these bills. GiveDirectly's assistance has been a lifeline for me, allowing me to address crucial concerns in my life, such as improving my living conditions and ensuring I have access to the nutrients I require for my health. I am eternally grateful for its positive influence on my life and well-being.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($442 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My helper was charging my phone in the nearby shopping center where she works. She called home around 5:00 p.m. and asked me to move to town. She could not tell me what she wanted me to do, but when I arrived, she surprised me with good news. Because she had my phone, she had already received a confirmation message of the transfer's receipt and wanted me to be present when she collected the money. We could not wait until the next day, so we withdrew the money right away before the shops were overrun with other people looking to withdraw.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am pleased and grateful for GiveDirectly's support, and I wish them continued blessings for their generous support of everyone in our village. Among the many wonderful things I have accomplished, the most significant difference in my daily life is the prospect of soon having a new kitchen once the construction is completed. I expect it to be done soon because I already have enough materials and have identified a builder. I feel energized and strong, even when doing other daily tasks.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family of five lives in two separate houses - kitchen and a living room-  that is roofed with iron sheets and has walls made of mud. We have an old kitchen structure on the side that has made rainy seasons unbearable due to roof openings that allow rainwater in. When we first enrolled, we intended to build a new kitchen, but we later decided to build a larger and stronger house and convert the current one into a kitchen and proceed to demolish the old hut. We spent $400 on iron sheets, timber, and nails and saved some money for labor charges once the construction work began. I also spent $58 on a sack of maize, which we are currently using as food, and the remainder on new pairs of clothes for my three children, as well as a pair for my husband and one for myself.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Our kitchen house is old, dilapidated, and leaks a lot, especially during the rainy season like at the moment. This makes it unconducive to stay in it, even cooking is a problem since when it leaks the water drops on the fire and extinguishes it making it hard for food to cook. My daughters have bore the brunt of it all since the kitchen also serve as sleeping place for them and so it is cold during the night. I am afraid it might lead them to contract diseases associated with the cold. We intend to use $ 350 to build a better house, timber walled and iron-roofed because at my age I am not able to smear the wall using soil. We will use the rest of the money to buy maize grain for household consumption.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Though we are faced with a lot of stress and challenges of food insecurity we are glad that we live harmoniously. Whatever we get, whether small or big, whether enough or not we have tolerated one another, and our marriage has stood the test of time. We have been married for over 50 years and we have enjoyed good companionship devoid of conflicts and disagreements. My husband is a blacksmith while I do menial work, in the evening we converge at home and share whatever we have gotten and if by bad luck we are unsuccessful we hope for the next day while praying to be better.It is the calm and peaceful coexistence that we have enjoyed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is a major challenge that we are currently faced with. We are a household of 9 and we have a small piece of land measuring 0.5 acres. This is hardly enough to till and do dairy farming at the same time. As such, we are forced to use the land for keeping our dairy cow as it is not enough to carry out maize farming, we are forced to buy the commodity at the nearby Kapkwen market which is expensive and sometimes unaffordable. It worries us a lot since we are people of little means who live from hand to mouth. Sometimes we do not get the money to buy it and we go to bed hungry. Such a life of destitution!