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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 > Cylvia's Profile
Cylvia's family
Cylvia
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
House construction
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($517 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has changed to a great extent because for one I now live under an iron-roofed house, so I do not get worried about a leaking roof anymore. Secondly, the kind of repairs and renovations which I did on my house was one of its own kind and were it not for the transfers from the organization, I do not think it would have been possible to attain such progress. BI also bought a cow which has already given birth to a calf in addition to the milk we have been getting from the cow.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization helped most of the community members who were impoverished to a great extent. There are a lot of people who built new houses using cash transfers. There are those who also bought livestock that has always been considered to be an asset back her in the village. On the flipside though, I do not think that there is anything negative that I saw from the organizations' operations.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Previously before the transfers were sent, I used to live in a small, old house without windows, I could only afford to place some temporary covers on the window spaces even though they could not shield us from mosquitoes and the chilling cold at night. However, all this changed because I eventually managed to buy new steel windows and a new steel door which I already fixed in my house. I also bought a few pieces of iron sheets which I used to erect a new roof on my house so I no longer get worried whenever it rains like I used to do before when I used to live under a leaking roof. Finally my husband and I bought a cow that recently gave birth to a calf in addition to providing milk, so currently, we do not have to be buying milk from local vendors.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($538 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that I now have new utensils, mattress, and a coffee table things that I only in other people's houses. I can now serve my visitors on presentable utensils and on a good table. This was not the case, I had old utensils and an old timber table that had one short leg and a stone had to be fixed for a balance to be obtained. My new mattress has enabled to have a peaceful and awesome sleep which was not the same with the old one that felt like I was sleep on the floor.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I have never received such an amount of money in my life. This blew me up and I was filled with so much joy and happiness. GiveDirectly is really changing lives of the people in our communtiy.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Upon receiving my first transfer, I bought four steel windows and two steel doors for my house that was under construction. The remaining amount I bought utensils, a mattress and coffee table for these were the things I felt like missed in my house. Even though I was not able to do everything that I wanted to do I can confidently say that GD has bridged a big gap in my needs.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my life is going to change as I am going to build my house in my own compound.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my is in the afternoon after finishing my daily chores this is the time that I normally have rest in preparation to welcome my back husband from job and my children from school .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is lack of adequate income due to lack of stable job that makes it difficult at times to pay school fees for my children.