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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:
Other
faceAge:
36
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($526 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 two children had completed their primary school late last year but they could not collect their certificates upon completion. They owed the school KES 10000. Being a single mother after separation from my spouse for the last ten years, I have been selling charcoal on a small scale to meet my family's needs which would barely meet all the needs. I tried all I could to reduce the arrears but my efforts proved futile. With the transfers from GiveDirectly, I have been able to clear the remaining balance. My children have been allowed to collect their certificates. To me, reducing these arrears makes the biggest difference in my daily life because they have already enrolled in secondary school. My greatest joy is seeing my children pursuing their goals.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well through identifying the poor and vulnerable members in my community to benefits from the cash program. This is because, most of the community members have acquire the things they lacked such as shelters, livestock and ventured into businesses. GiveDircetly did nothing wrong at its work.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the second transfer to buy two goats . I bought school supplies, school uniforms and paid school fees for my four children who are in secondary and primary school respectively. I am glad although at the start of this term they were unable to enroll to school with the required items but through GiveDirectly's transfer, they have acquired all this when going back to school after the short school half term.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($547 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The transfer has enabled me to fulfil my family's basic needs such as buying daily food and clothing without much struggle unlike before. My main source of income was burning and selling charcoal. The income that I got couldn't sustain my family. Sometimes we would stay without food. Ever since I received this money, providing for my family has never been a problem. I also bought a cow which I am keeping in my homestead. I am expecting it to reproduce so that I can get income out of it by selling milk.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember waking up early that day to prepare breakfast for my children as they were getting late to school. I heard a vibration on my phone. I stopped what I was doing and went to check what the message was all about. I was surprised to see an Mpesa message. As I read through the message, I couldn't hold the excitement that filled my heart. I was overjoyed when I realized that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 13000 to clear school fees for my children so that they would be allowed back to school. I am happy that they resumed their studies and now in classes without any interruptions. I also purchased a cow worth KES 15500. My expectation is that this cow will reproduce. I am hoping to start selling milk soon which will be my other source of income. I can also readily sell it when a financial crisis hits us. Providing for my family also was a challenge because for a long time I have been depending on selling charcoal. This was unreliable and at times I was forced to stay without food. I am happy that ever since I received my transfer, I have been able to buy enough foodstuffs as well as fulfilling other basic needs such as clothing for my children and paying for some household expenses.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Being illiterate,life has been very tough to me in terms of getting a decent job. This has forced me to dwell on charcoal burning as the only alternative source of income. With this challenge, my greatest wish of educating my children has been barred from coming to reality since paying school fees for my two children has been faced with a lot of challenges due to financial instability. Receiving this money means materialization of my dream as I am planning to spend 75 dollars in clearing fees for my daughter who is doing a hairdressing course. The remaining amount will help me to do shopping and paying for the school fees for my child who is about to join secondary.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because I get ample time to relax and meet with my children after school. The chat with them gives me joy and they normally tell me what they have been learning in school something that I enjoy most.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband opted to separate me 9 years ago due to family conflicts which started immediately he got married to a second wife. This shocked me but since I had no option, I accepted the reality of life and I returned to my maternal home. Since then, providing my family of 4 with the basic needs has been a big challenge. I decided to do charcoal burning in order to get income for our upkeep but still this job is not reliable. This forced my firstborn to be engaged in early marriage due to the tough life we are facing. I am always worried that I may fail to educate my kinds something that has eaten away my joy in life. Hence, Lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship.