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 > Dama's Profile
Dama's family
Dama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Dama's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my main objective is to build a decent house, as my current dwelling is in a deteriorating condition. The recent rains have heightened my concerns about its stability, and I am grateful to my neighbours who provided me with temporary refuge. The existing structure is currently supported by heavy poles, but I remain apprehensive about its resilience during future rainfall. To address this, my plan is to acquire at least two iron sheets each month, aiming to accumulate a total of 24 sheets. Once I reach this target, I intend to purchase the necessary building poles and commence the construction process. My goal is not only to have a structurally sound home but also to liberate myself from the insecurity of my current living situation. Achieving this will not only provide me with peace of mind but will also mark a significant improvement in my overall living conditions.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am very grateful for the support GiveDirectly has provided me with. It has been a lifeline for me. I cannot thank them enough for bringing me much-needed relief and easing my biggest worries about how I would survive at my age without external support. I have been blessed with daughters, but they are all married and cannot provide much support since they have their own families to take care of, and are not well off. Last year, I was diagnosed with stomach ulcers, and the doctor advised me not to engage in any activity that involved a lot of physical strength. Subsistence farming has been the only activity I have been engaging in to ensure food is available in my household, and now I cannot do it anymore. This has been a great challenge for me, and I am happy that the transfers have been my only hope. With the recent transfer, I spent $55 on buying enough food that could last for a few weeks. I also spent $10 on treatment and buying some medicines since I am still under medication, and I am glad that I am in the process of recovering. I have been saving $15 for the past few months, and I recently bought a goat with my accumulated savings. Finally, I spent $20 on buying two iron sheets, and I plan to use them to build a new house since the one I am currently living in is in bad shape. My goal is to have a decent house where I will no longer suffer the painful effects of heavy rain.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary objective is to construct a sturdy and secure house. Currently, my existing house has suffered damage due to strong winds, resulting in a partially blown away roof. Whenever it rains, I am left dismayed as water seeps into the house, causing destruction to my belongings. Building a new house has long been a cherished aspiration, but the persistent grip of poverty has hindered its realization. Despite the challenges I face, I find solace and gratitude in the financial assistance I have received. This support has been particularly crucial during difficult times when I required medical attention and hospitalization. It provided me with the means to navigate through those challenging circumstances, and I am sincerely thankful for it. With the continued aid and support, I hope to overcome the barriers that poverty has imposed on my dreams and aspirations, and finally achieve the goal of building a safe and comfortable home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Three months ago, I underwent a stomach operation due to health issues. The doctor strongly advised me against engaging in labor-intensive manual work. As a result, I was unable to work on my farm, leading to a lack of harvest. To address my immediate needs, I allocated $72 from my transfer to purchase food. I am grateful that since joining the program, I have not missed a single meal thanks to the financial support I have received. Recognizing the dire state of my dilapidated house, I invested $20 of my transfer in purchasing two pieces of iron sheets. The extreme poverty I endured in the past prevented me from improving my living conditions. However, with the assistance of the transfers, I am hopeful that I will be able to construct a decent house in the near future. This gives me a sense of optimism and hope. Furthermore, I utilized my previous savings to acquire a goat, which serves as a valuable investment. The goat's ability to multiply ensures that I will have the opportunity to sell offspring in the future, providing me with additional funds to address any unforeseen emergencies. I am overjoyed with the financial assistance I have received, as it has significantly aided me in coping with the challenges of life and has brought a renewed sense of stability and optimism.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
bought iron sheets, build a house, my house is in adelapidate condition.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
1000, pay back a loan transport to go to kilifi for an operation. food 2400/=, doctors advice not to engage in hard labour. A long time ago, lack of funds prevented me from going to the hospital.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main goal currently is to continue saving Ksh. 1000 every month in order to buy 22 pieces of iron sheets. The objective is to renovate my living house's roof, which is weak and dilapidated. I am saving money in our local merry-go-round group, which consists of 14 members. I believe that very soon after getting my savings back, I will be able to buy the iron sheets and start the renovation.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been saving Ksh. 1000 of the monthly transfers in our local merry-go-round. My goal is to accumulate the savings and later on purchase 22 pieces of iron sheets. My current house's roof is worn out and not stable enough to withstand strong winds. My biggest worry is that it might be blown over and collapse on me. I am planning to save enough money to buy the materials and renovate the roof. I spent the remaining amount on the transfers. I spent the remaining amount on buying adequate food for my family. I did some shopping for maize and vegetables that served us for weeks. I am happy that, ever since receiving the transfer, my household has not lacked food.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly works well by providing unconditional funds to the most vulnerable members of society. These cash transfers allow people like myself to accomplish dreams that we previously thought were out of reach owing to financial constraints. I am more optimistic than ever that the cash transfers will cover the entire cost of building my new home. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with how the organization functions.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I stay alone in the household, I fend for myself through charcoal burning. However, the strenuous activities involved in producing the product, including digging and splitting tree stumps, take a toll on my body, especially my left arm which fractured a couple of years ago. The most I can earn in two weeks is $7, which is not enough for my sustenance given the high living cost. As a result, missing meals is my norm. I remember early last month, I went four consecutive days without consuming a solid meal and nearly fainted from hunger. Had it been for the money from Give Directly, I am not sure if I would have survived well. I spent most of the transfer, $20, on food. I am glad I have never lacked a meal again. I wish I would give everyone from Give Directly a huge embrace for pulling out of hunger. I saved the rest amount through a self-help group. The goal is to obtain at least $100 in a span of the next 10 months to buy iron sheets for the construction of a new two-room tin roof and mud wall house. My current mud shelter is in bad shape, particularly the roof, which is wobbly and could be blown away by strong winds. 
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I make a living out of cutting wood and selling it and that day when I received the funds I was actually doing that so because I needed money. That is the reason why I was so overwhelmed with so much happiness when I noticed the arrival of the funds and this is because we were starving.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before I had received the transaction when I did, it already been a couple of days since I had a meal. Therefore the fact that I could finally not worry about when my next meal would be was quite relieving.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As soon as they realize that the transfers had been sent out immediately went ahead to ensure that I looked into nutrition because it was my biggest challenge. Therefore I went and used KES 1,500 to purchase twenty kilograms of maize and proceeded to use KES 500 to buy one kilogram of sugar and four kilograms of beans. Afterwards I used KES 800 to take the maize to the mill and the remaining balance of KES 200 I left it in my savings account.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means food security for my family and renovation of my collapsing structure. With the rise in the price of food products in my country, I am planning to use KES 35,000 from the entire transfer to buy enough food for my family. I will use a further KES 40,000 to renovate my house with concrete walls. With the multiple cracks allover, concrete walls will likely serve me better. The balance will be used to educate my grandchildren.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Affording a meal gives me joy for I know my grandchildren will finally smile.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest challenge I am facing currently. With the rise in food prices, affording a meal has been difficult for my family. One 2kg packet of maize flour goes for KES 180, a price that is unaffordable to a jobless widow.