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.
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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Pauline's Profile
Pauline's family
Pauline
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
38
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($349 USD)
access_time 8 days ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
This year and beyond, I want to continue farming. I know it depends on factors like the availability of rain and the risk of floods. Despite these challenges, I still plan to move forward after carefully assessing the situation. Farming will help feed my family, and I can sell any surplus to pay school fees for my children. The thought of having everything in place makes me feel hopeful and excited about the positive changes it will bring to my life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What stood out to me about GiveDirectly is how polite they were throughout the process. They informed us about the cash program and made sure to ask for our consent before proceeding. The officers were welcoming and encouraged us to ask questions, which they answered thoroughly. I don’t have any specific recommendations for changes to their programs because everything was handled so well. My only hope is that GiveDirectly continues to assist as many people as possible and doesn't stop here.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, my husband and I had already planned how to use the money. We set aside $100 to pay school fees for one of my children in secondary school, which eased the financial burden I had been facing. Another $100 was used to buy new clothes for my family of five kids. This was to make everyone happy and ensure they all felt included in the support. Next, we used $100 to buy two goats, which will serve as a lasting reminder of the help we received from GiveDirectly even after the transfers have ended. I also spent $100 to complete the construction of a house we had already started. With a large family, it's essential to have enough space for the kids, ensuring their privacy. This is why building the house was a priority. Finally, I used $50 to buy food and pay off a debt at a local shop. At that time, food was a challenge, but now my family has enough to eat. Clearing the debt also relieved me, as I can now take food on credit again in case of future needs.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($348 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Previously, I had many sheep, but when I moved to a different place, I left them at my relative's home. Unfortunately, they all died because they weren't cared for properly. Now, with the third transfer coming, I plan to buy goats. Goats can survive in both dry and rainy seasons and are a good future investment. I can sell them if I have an emergency.My second plan is to finish building a house for my son, so he has a better place to sleep when he comes home from school. I want him to always remember the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly that made this possible.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done an excellent job teaching us clearly and ensuring we understand everything. If we don't understand something, they let us ask as many questions as needed. They also promised the money would come at a certain time, and it arrived exactly on that date. I don't see any areas needing improvement; just keep educating everyone you enroll. Our whole village has benefited, and we've been able to afford things we couldn't before. We really appreciate it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I received the money, I have been very happy knowing that some of my problems would be solved. For a long time, my son had been sleeping in a house made of mud walls and a grass roof. Nowadays, getting grass is very difficult due to drought seasons, and during the wet seasons, it's almost impossible to obtain. So, the first thing I did was allocate $220 to purchase iron sheets to complete the house when I received my final transfer.I have five kids, and their father is a driver who used to help pay for their school fees. Since I received the cash, I used $100 to help my husband with the fees. I am a farmer, and we mostly depend on farming for food. However, due to droughts, I haven't harvested any crops for many years. I used $65 to purchase two bags of maize to ensure we have enough food.I used to live in a village called Loropil, where crops did well, but we had to relocate due to floods that affected our household. However, I had initially planted maize at our old compound, and I allocated $50 for their upkeep. Lastly, I used the remaining $15 to purchase clothes for my kids. Given our hard life, it's sometimes difficult to buy new clothes.I am very happy and deeply appreciate the help you have given me. Thank you so much.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($153 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As I walked back from the farm to plough, a message suddenly popped up on my phone, confirming the receipt of $200 from GiveDirectly. My heart swelled with happiness, and I couldn't wait to share the news with my husband, who was away from home. I immediately called him to break the news, and his response was filled with excitement and gratitude. The first thing that came to my mind was fulfilling the plans we had already discussed with my husband, and I was eager to start making progress on those goals.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
For many years, I struggled to secure capital to plant my farm, leaving it unplanted at times. Whenever I managed to get the chance to plant, I had to do it alone without casual laborers because I couldn't afford to hire them for a week. However, this time, I was able to hire seven people to plant for me, which was a rare occurrence. With their help, my maize is now doing well. God bless you GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband works as a driver in the city, and we rely on his income. I also do casual jobs and crop farming, but our income is not sustainable. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I invested $70 in my maize farm for planting and weeding. For years, we have struggled with capital, leaving our land unplanted sometimes, and drought has been another issue. However, This season, we were lucky as there were rains, and GiveDirectly's cash came at the right time. Additionally, I gave my son $20 for transport back to school when schools were opening. I also repaired my house door at $50, as it had been faulty for months. Closing the door was difficult while away from home, and it was risky because of fear of debt. I also bought a table for $15; we only had one, so I added another. I used the remaining $45 on food. Thank you GiveDirectly.
 
Enrolled
access_time 7 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
We are still living in one house with all my sons, I do not have financial muscle to build them a house. GiveDirectly gives me an opportunity to build them a one roomed house costing about KES 30000. Buying food daily is costly, this motivates me spend KES 35000 of my transfer on farming. I will lease a piece of land and plant maize crop. This will enable my family to have enough food. My son Timothy Leyon Kimiti joined Kilindini secondary school this year. I am impressed that this academic year, my son will not have any school fees problem. I will use KES of my transfers to pay for his school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been struggling to pay school fees for my daughter Sheilah Bintiyon who sat for her national examination last year. Although she never had quality time for her education due fees arrears, she managed to perform well in her exams. This made me happy. I am now planning to
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Water is a big problem in our village, we buy water from the nearby water shop for domestic use. This comes with another additional cost to my family. I am a casual labourer and what I earn is peanut. After budgeting what I receive from working, I am left with little money to buy my family enough clean water for domestic use. We end up limiting the use of water, some of us could even go for two days without taking bath. Our biggest part of the land is not arable, we end up buying food for the family which is costly. On average we spend about KES 400 on food a day. Comparing with my daily earning of KES 350, I have nothing to save and invest.