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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 > Emily's Profile
Emily's family
Emily
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
52
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($527 USD)
access_time 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 turned out to be different in many ways. I now have maize of my own in the store and a maize plantation that I am yet to harvest. This has made me more self reliant and with plenty of food supply for my family. It has also seen me have more time with my family contrary to the days before when I could work for long hours in a day just to get enough money for food for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did so well by not being biased in their selection. The organisation was fair in their selection criteria and gave every household an equal opportunity to receive the funds from GiveDirectly. I did not see anything with GiveDirectly that I felt they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer to practice improved farming. Part of the transfer was used to buy hybrid seeds for planting ,part of it was used in land preparation for planting. The money was also very helpful in that I used it to buy a water tank that has enabled me harvest rain water and avoid the hustle of having to travel for long distances in search for water from the streams. As for the farming, I am looking forward to having a very huge harvest this season following the improved farming methods. I used the remaining amount to buy school uniforms for my children
 
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.
Before GD came to my village, I used to do some casual work in order to get some money to use in buying some household necessities. This is now in the past as I no longer do them since I now earn some money on a daily basis as my son brings back home 400 KES on a daily after deducting his commission and buying fuel for the motorcycle. This so far is the biggest thing that has ever happened in my life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 3.00 am when I received two consecutive messages. I wanted to ignore them but my husband insisted that I should read them as it might be someone who needed our help. Upon checking them, I could not believe my eyes and I had to confirm my M-Pesa balance so as to clear my doubt. After confirming that it was indeed true, I was overwhelmed with happiness and I also shared the good news with my husband. Since we did not want to wake up the rest of the family, we decided to pray and went back to sleep even though I could not catch some sleep anymore as I kept on counting the remaining minutes to dawn.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent the entire amount of my first transfer in buying a second-hand motorcycle and gave it to my son so that he can be operating it. I decided this kind of business since apart from me getting some income from it, it will keep my son busy and will also enable him to earn some money at the end of the day.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this cash transfer means that I'll be able to start dairy farming and moreover, own a motorbike for commercial use.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I wake up and thanking God for giving me an opportunity to see another day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been experiencing intestinal problems for the past one year and this has really slowed down my daily productivity. I have sought medical attention from traditional medicine men to no success until I opted to go to a referral hospital for further assistance. Even though I am starting to feel better but I cannot undertake my daily chores fully. This for me is the biggest hardship I have ever experienced.