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 > Salama's Profile
Salama's family
Salama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
44
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($437 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my focus is on my children's education. I want to ensure that they get the quality education that will aid them to secure good life in the future. Once they succeed, I will be assured of being taken care of in my old age. This will only be possible if they will be independent and education is the key to independence.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Since GiveDirectly enabled us to move from a poor living state to an independent level through the cash transfer program it brought, this classifies the organization as a life transformation organization. I have not seen any negativity related to the organization so far. What I recommend is that to go and do similar to what it did for us in the new places it is moving to so that our friends on that side can also benefit.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the second transfer, I first opted to buy some livestock as a security for the future. Livestock does multiply and they can be converted to monetary value when the need arises. Therefore, I bought one cow for $75 and three goats for $90. As of now two goats gave birth to twin calves each. After that, I looked at how the food prices had inflated and I opted to buy three sacks of maize at once to ensure food security at home. I spent $65 per sack. As of now, I am happy because I am thinking of other things apart from the head-breaking food issue. Initially, as a family, we used to go without food for at least two days a week. As of now, I am happy because my family has an access to food. Since I am a mother of six school-going children, I used $226 to pay school fees for them. $176 went to one secondary school child while $50 went to the five primary school children. I took this step after they were sent home for school fees. Currently, I am happy that I was able to act quickly because I had the GiveDirectly cash. If I reflect, I would not have acted quickly the way I did if it were not for the transfers. This is because my only source of income was from selling firewood which was unreliable.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time almost 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 just at home relaxing when a friend of mine came and asked me whether I had received the transfer that was sent to us in the morning. I wondered for a while then requested my helper to go for my phone which was in the house. He checked while in the house and came running while happy and confirmed that it was true I had also received the transfer. We both rejoiced and I thanked my friend for keeping me updated.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, I was not having peace of mind by the fact that I was sleeping in the same house with my children of whom some were grown up. As of now, I am living happily with settled mind because GiveDirectly restored my privacy which had been deprived for a longer time by enabling me to construct a house for them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I bought 20 pieces of iron sheets for KES 19000.00, some building poles, and rafters. The reason for buying these materials was to build a house for my children since I used to sleep with them in my house. The act of having them in my house was not giving me peace of mind since I felt like they were depriving me of my privacy. I also bought a bed and a mattress since I had been sleeping on sacks for a while and I felt it was a good thing to have good shelter. I also bought some school uniforms for my five children for KES 2000.00. Thereafter, I bought some food and saved the remaining amount for the family's upkeep.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means continued education for my children. I have 4 children in primary school and one in secondary school, paying school fees for them is a problem for me since I depend on charcoal burning to get money. This job earns me as little as KES 3000 per month. The amount is not enough to cater for all my family's needs. My children have been sent out of school due to huge school fees balance hence leds to their poor performance in school. My plan is to use KES 55000 to pay all school fees for them. This will allow them to settle in school and hence, a better performance. I will also use KES 30000 to construct a separate structure for my children and this will restore the dignity that I have lost for a long time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the month of November, one of my goats out of the three that I had by then, gave birth to triplets. It was a sign of double blessing to me because the number increases to six. This brought happiness to my life because I have not imagined if such blessings can come to life. This has also motivated me to practice livestock farming.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial struggles have weighed me down. This has forced me to engage in charcoal work to get the money that can support my children's education. Considering the income which is as little as KES 3000 per month, It can not fully cater for to their school fees as well as to sustain our other basic needs like food. Feeding my family of 7 has been a great challenge to me.