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 > Dama's Profile
Dama's family
Dama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
67
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($421 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a goal which is to save enough cash which will be specifically for my daughter's school fees. She is currently in her first year in college and I believe that once she graduates and acquires a well-paying job, she will be the one to take care of my whole family since she is the only one who got the chance to go to school.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did not do anything that is not good for the community. First, there was transparency from the process of enrolment till the day I received my last cash transfer. Also, the officers were very caring and professional. They made a follow-up and requested to know if we received the exact money and how it brought an impact our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent around $500 of my second transfer on paying fees and bought stationery for my daughter who was joining college. I am so grateful that the cash came at the right moment since we were hopeless. I must mention that were it not for the transfers, she would still be at home. I pray to God to guide her through the four years so that she can be a better person together with her generation. Later on, I bought chicken, my aim is however to start practising poultry farming. I believe this business will help me a lot since I am a widow of four children who still depend on me. I can't thank enough this organisation for bringing a positive change in my household.
 
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?
The very day that I received the transfer, I was on my way to the river to fetch water with my grandchildren. When the message rang, one of them picked to read it. She told me that I had received the transfers and I was so happy that I was going to buy a bed and stop sleeping on the floor.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My son was almost giving up on his dreams and this used to sudden me because he worked so hard and passed his high school exams. Since he has managed to go to college courtesy of the transfer, I'm nolonger worried anymore and he is also happier than ever. I also sleep on a bed now and I have easy nights compared to previously when I used to sleep on the floor .
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When my husband died, our last born son was then breastfeeding and I have been doing everything possible that I could to raise them. Before I was enrolled in the program, my last born had just graduated from high school and he was planning to end his education journey because I'm now at my old age and unproductive and his siblings who could have supported him to join collage don't have reliable jobs and they have families to provide for. When I was enrolled in the program, he was so happy because he knew the money was going to support him join collage. He was so patient because he didn't give up despite staying out of school for one year and his patience finally paid. When I received my first transfer, I gave him KES 30000 which he spend on his school shopping and school fees. He has already started his first semester and I'm looking forward to spend my next transfer to clear the balance of KES 20000 for his first semester and pay for his second semester. I also spend KES 4000 to by bed and I have now been sleeping comfortably compared to previous days when I used to sleep on the floor. I spend the balance to by chicken which I started rearing and the goal was to be able to sell them in the near future and to ensure that my son finishes his collage studies. I'm so grateful to GiveDirectly for the support as all this would not have been possible were it not for the transfer.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a daughter who completed her secondary education but due to lack of money, I have not managed to enroll her in a higher learning institution. At the time she was finishing school, she had a fee balance of 17,000 KES. I am glad I cleared the arrears and she now has her certificates. Receiving this money means good education for my daughter. The moment I receive the first transfer, I will make sure she has been enrolled in a school. Her success means a good life to me. Hopefully, she will be supporting me once she becomes employed.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I believe there is no peace of mind without good health. What has given me joy in the last six months is the wellness of my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the challenge I am currently facing. My main economic activity is subsistence farming. Due to the adverse effects of the drought we have been experiencing since last year, I have not managed to gain anything from my farm. I have been left struggling to provide food for myself and my daughter.