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 > Paulina's Profile
Paulina's family
Paulina
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
68
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Paulina's next check-in.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($477 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was at home busy with the evening house chores. Suddenly, my helper came to inform me that she had received the promised transfer, Immediately, I reached out to my phone to check if I was among those who had been blessed that evening. Upon checking I realised that I too had received the cash. Words cannot explain how happy I was, I knew that with the money I would easily achieve my goal.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life today is that we were given the opportunity for us to clear the fee arrears that were still pending. Therefore my children can comfortably study without any disturbances. Secondly, we no longer worry anytime it is about to go to bed on an empty stomach because we were able to stock enough foodstuffs. I am so grateful for the support that changed our living standards amazingly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of nine children, though at the moment only four are still living with me since the rest of them are adults. Upon receiving my transfer I thought of paying school fees for my three children who are still schooling thus I used KES 45000, and then finally I used the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs for my family. It was not easy to accomplish all this before since I depend on farming to earn an income yet it's no longer profitable. I was able to accomplish so much in a short time thus I am so grateful for the support that came when we list expected it.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Two of my children are in secondary school and one is pursuing her undergraduate course at Kiriri Women's University. This has translated to financial strain on my family now that we do not have a stable income. I do subsistence farming to earn a living which earns me a monthly income of about KES 5000, this money is little and not sufficient for our family needs. I have school fees arrears of about KES 60000 for my children. As a result of this, I will prioritize this money to clear all my school fee arrears to enable me to work on the household chores. I will also plan KES 20000 to initiate a poultry business to enable me to earn income and improve the living standard of my family. Also, I will use the remaining amount to buy food for my family and avoid the challenge of food shortages. This will make me feel happy as I will no longer strain.
What is the happiest part of your day?
With a little family income of about KES 5000 monthly, my family was able to have food. We never faced extreme hunger making me feel good and happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
A stable source of income is the big challenge that I am currently experiencing, this makes me feel the pressure of financial constraints. It makes me unable to pay school fees well for my children and thus being sent home to fetch school fees frequently. This affects their quality of education.