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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.
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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Miriam's Profile
Miriam's family
Miriam
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
22
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($492 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has improved it terms of living standard and I am very proud owning my house . Before then, we used to shelter in a very small old house that belonged to our deceased relative. It was so devastating especially during the night I never used to have a good rest due to a lot of imagination of the spirit of the deceased roaming around his house. It was also disturbing because my village mates used to deride us for not owning a house. Thanks to Givedirectly for seeing us through that. I also bought a dairy cow for milk production for both domestic and commercial use.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Givedirectly has done well by giving out aid inform of cash. The money was also uncondition enabling beneficiaries to choose what to use it on according to their needs. This has uplifted the living standard of people in my village. I do not see anything that Givedrectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my first transfer on buying building materials such as iron sheet, nails, building poles and threads. I did this with an aim of constructing a house for my family since the one we were living in was for my deceased relative. When I got the second transfer, I used it to finish up constructing the house. I also bought seats using the remaining cash. Currently I am very peaceful that I am living in my own house.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($515 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The happiness we had in our household after receiving the transfer was immense; this project came at the right time when we really needed to make a lot out of it. We had been watching the great work happening in the adjacent villages which received the transfers a bit earlier than us, and this has always been a great motivation not only to us but also to the whole village. This moment of receipt confirmation assured us that all we had in books will soon be accomplished.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Upon receiving the transfer and making a lot of implementations on the planned projects, we have seen a lot of changes in our daily lives: we have paid school fees, obtained new bedding and furniture, but the biggest difference so far is the new house which is soon coming to a completion. This has given us a reason to smile every morning knowing well that we will soon be moving out of the small grass-thatched hut we had been living in into a bigger and bigger house. We had to shift the construction site a bit far away from the initial position since it was too close to a pathway. This new site looks more serene and also secure as it has been kept far from the passers-by.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the transfer was a great fortune in our household. We had a lot to do that even the budget we had was way too high compared to the first transfer. We needed a new house and after purchasing iron sheets, we have managed to put up a bigger structure that is almost complete. We had to allocate quite a bigger amount since we had to buy everything, including wood and labor costs. We used the remaining on furniture, paid part of the school fees, and foodstuff for the household. We are very grateful that all went well and we have great expectations of seeing a new home after all the changes we are making currently.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a student in Sot Technical Institute, Bomet. I am in my second year for a three year course in water engineering. After I complete my studies I am planning to opening a shop for plumbing tools and equipment. Now this money is here, I will start the shop immediately and the remaining amount will be use as school fees opening a business, selling plumbing tools.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. Throughout the day I do casual jobs which are tiresome and I only find time to relax and socialize with my family and friends in the evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When I got married last year 2019 my parents stopped sponsoring my studies. It is really bad for me because my husband is unable to pay my school fees.