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 > Fatuma's Profile
Fatuma's family
Fatuma
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($516 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
First of all, I bought two cows which of course I would have never bought weer it not for the transfers from Give Directly. Secondly, I managed to build this big house which I moved in with my family. The cost of building the house was so high such that if it were not for the cash transfers that I got from the organization then I believe I would have still been living in that small structure with my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization helped me to achieve some of the things that I never managed to do all by myself due to poverty. For instance, I now have this big house where I moved in with my family. I bought two cows and an ox-driven plow in addition to having enough money to pay school fees for the kids.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used the money to build a new house. I bought materials such as timber, iron sheets and other building materials which aided the building process. I now have this big house that comfortably accommodates the family. The cost of constructing the house was so high that all the cash went into that project.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($541 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now a happy and ambitious person. I have been planning to buy bulls all along but due to my meager earnings, I could not afford to buy the bulls. I came to realize my dream when Give Directly chose me as one of their beneficiaries. I was able to buy the bulls which will help me a lot in preparing my land. I am certain of cultivating my farm on time hence guaranteed of a good harvest because the size of land that I will be cultivating will be bigger compared to when I could do it by myself.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt very happy the moment I received the transfer. I have been doing casual jobs and never at one point had I ever received such a lump-sum amount of money. My phone had been off the whole night, the moment I switched it on in the morning I realized there was a message informing me that transfers had been sent to me. The first person I called to share the good news was my husband. He reminded me to be calm and reflect on the previous goals that we had agreed to pursue. I could actually not contain my joy when I learned about the good news.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer on purchasing two bulls and a ploughing machine. They will help me cultivate my piece of land easily. Previously, I could till the land by myself which was tiresome and inefficient because I could only manage a small area. I am glad that I won't strain too much in the next planting season. My harvest will also increase too. Apart from that, I also bought a bed and a mattress. The ones I had became old hence feeling uncomfortable but I had to bear with them because they were the ones that I could afford. The remaining amount was spent on clearing school fees balance for my three children. I am a happy mother because I do not have pending fee arrears.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In most cases when Iam stuck financially,I look around for any assets that I can liquidate to bail me out in vain.Receiving this money means I will purchase goats and cows so that whenever there is financial crisis,I can easily dispose them because there is always ready market with good returns in a pastrolist community like ours.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I wake up in the morning to prepare breakfast for my children before they leave for school then I proceed to fetch water until midday.At midday,which is also my happiest part of the day,I take a rest as I plan for lunch preparation at 1:00pm and cleaning of clothes in the evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is lack of stable source of income that led to being held in hospital because my husband could not raise enough money from his job as a casual laborer to pay for my medical bill.