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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 > Furaha's Profile
Furaha's family
Furaha
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
36
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($528 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different from how it was before since I have been able to build a house for my children. Due to this, they will no longer share one sleeping place as brothers and sisters which made me worried that they might commit incest since they are growing up with a lot of curiosity in them .I have been able to pay part of the school fees for my children early enough with the profits from the charcoal business that I started with the transfer. Therefore, I am now glad that they will continue with their studies without any interruptions as long as the business still operates.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion , the issuing of phone was what I liked about GiveDirectly's operations. This is because I had a faulty phone which made communication difficult but now with the new phone from GiveDirectly ,I am able to easily call GiveDirectly's toll free line to make inquiries and communicate with my peers as well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to restock my small business of selling charcoal which I started with the first transfer . The profits from the business able me to pay school fees for my children . I bought building materials such as iron sheets and timbers which facilitated the construction of my children's sleeping place. The remaining amount I bought food and school supplies.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($540 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My husband has been supplying water in the city for a long time using a handcart. This has been our main source of income for some time now. Due to the nature of this job, he couldn't do it on a daily basis, because his health condition wouldn't allow. However, when I received this transfer, I invested KES 19000 to open a business of selling charcoal. It is doing well so far since it is the cheapest alternative source of energy. I bought enough stock that will last for a longer period of time. I feel good because my husband will work no longer strain again. I am also assured of getting a better income which will help us to effectively fulfil our household basic needs. To me, achieving all this is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message notification early that morning. When I checked what it was all about, I realized it was from GiveDirectly. I was filled with happiness because I was not sure they were genuine. The money came as a surprise. It was hard to believe that someone could actually send you money without demanding for a refund in this era. Receiving this financial support was the greatest miracle I yearned for. At least I was now in a position to attain my long term goals and improve my living standards
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 30000 of my transfer to purchase livestock. I bought a heifer and a bull. I have been rearing cows but due to a prolonged drought, they died and I remained with only two emaciated ones. I decided to invest in them because they will help me in future in paying school fees for my children. The heifer will reproduce and increase in number, will also be getting milk from it. I can decide to sell the surplus which will help me meet my daily needs. In addition to that, I gave my husband KES 19000. He normally sells water using a handcart in the city. I thought that amount would be enough for him to start a new business. We started a charcoal business which is doing good so far. I later paid a portion of the money for my children's school fees then used the remaining amount to cater for my household basic needs such as foodstuffs.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For a very long time,we have been struggling with unemployment in our household.Currently I do not have any job and my husband's income from vending water in Mombasa is very minimal. In a day he only makes at most ksh.300. This is hardly enough to fend for his needs and ours back at home. With this money, we plan to change our own fate. We will set up a charcoal selling stall in Mombasa that my husband will be managing. Back at home, we will buy at least two cows and five goats that I will be taking care of as our future investment.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am with my children once they return home from school. They help me with household chores and taking care of their youngest brother who is always very demanding. During the day when they are in school, I feel so swamped with all this chores when I am alone.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is the biggest hardship that we are faced with as a family. Just as I stated before, my husband is the sole bread winner but his income is not sufficient enough to fend for the needs of our six children and I included. I am really struggling to feed my children since my husband's income is channelled into ensuring that the school fees for our first born who is in class eight is fully paid so that she sits for her exams. Farming that I used to rely on is not possible any more because it has not been raining of late. Thus attaining money to buy food for my children is my biggest challenge on a daily basis.