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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 > Dama's Profile
Dama's family
Dama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
64
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($502 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am so thankful to GiveDirectly because it has empowered me to construct a new house. Previously I was living in a small hut that was in a critical condition and it could not accommodate some of, my family members. In addition to that, I am now owning some goats, courtesy of GiveDirecyly. These will now be the assets that I can depend on just in case of any financial crisis that I may encounter. If it were no for GD coming to my village, I would not have achieved all these.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give does well in all the sectors. The fact that we were given the freedom to plan for ourselves on what w have been desiring to have for all those years. As per me, I managed to build a new house and own some assets such as goats that I will lean on just in case of ay financial difficulties. I do not see any sector GD failed us.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying three goats worthy of KES 10500. These will serve the assets that I can depend on in case of any emergency. I also bought some building poles, ropes, and timber 6000, for the completion of the house which I had initially constructed using the first transfers. I then paid Masson 6000 as his labor charge. The remaining amount of money I am using it in buying some enough foodstuffs...
 
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.
Building a new home with a bigger space is the greatest achievement I have had so far. I used to live in a house that was in a very bad condition. The walls had cracks and the roof always leaked during the rainy season. Due to my lowly financial status, I couldn't save enough money for this purpose. However, much I wanted to reach this goal, I had to wait. GiveDirectly assistance finally came through. I couldn't believe to have bought the required building materials at ago. I am now in the process of constructing a new one which gives me so much peace that I didn't have previously.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am when I heard a message notification on my phone. On checking the contents, I was filled with happiness upon realizing it was from GiveDirectly indicating they had sent me my first transfer. I remember cancelling all the day's activities because I couldn't concentrate after receiving the message. I was so overwhelmed since it is the highest amount I have ever received in my life. I thank GiveDirectly for making my day.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a bigger portion of my first transfer on buying building materials which include iron sheets nails and building poles. My previous house was in a bad state, it used to leak during rainy seasons which made it unbearable for me. Due to my lowly financial status, I couldn't renovate it. The money I received from GiveDirectly has enabled me to build a new home, which will soon be complete. In addition to this, I also spent KES 18000 to pay for my children's school fees. It gives me great joy to see my kids studying comfortably. I currently using the remaining transfers to buy my family's daily basic needs. These include foodstuffs as well as paying for other household expenses.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Education is a key factor for every child especially in this 21st century. Being illiterate and jobless, I have wised to educate my children so that they may have a better life in future. Receiving this money means quality education for my children. Currently, I am having 2 children in secondary school with one in form 3 and the other is in from 1. I am planning to spend $250 on paying school fees for them. I also plan to use part of the remaining amount to construct a respectable house for myself.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Waking up healthy and refreshed for the day tasks give me joy and hope in life. Hence, I consider morning as my happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship in my life. Being illiterate securing a job has been a challenging task for me. This has forced me to venture into seasonal peasant farming growing maize. Meeting the educational needs of my children has been a difficult task something that keeps me worried that I may fail to educate them.