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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Sote's Profile
Sote's family
Sote
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
38
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Sote's next check-in.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($155 USD)
access_time 4 days ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money was unforgettable. It was around 5 AM, and I was lying in bed, relaxing with my phone in hand. Suddenly, a message popped up, confirming that I had received the cash transfer. I felt a surge of excitement and quickly jumped out of bed to get dressed. Eager to share my joy, I went to my neighbor's house to see if she had received her money too. When she said yes, we both celebrated together, filled with happiness. As I walked back home, I started thinking about how to send some of that money for my children's school fees. Later that day, when my daughter was sent home for fees, I felt so relieved knowing I could send her back to school with all the money she needed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before receiving the cash transfer, paying for my daughter's school fees was a major source of stress for me. I struggled to gather enough money, relying on casual jobs and selling groceries, which often wasn’t enough. My daughter was frequently sent home from school for unpaid fees, and it broke my heart to see her miss out on her education. However, after I received the transfer, I was able to pay her school fees in full without any worry. Now, she attends school regularly and can focus on her studies like other children. This change has brought me immense peace of mind, knowing that she is learning and happy at school. I am grateful for this support, as it has made a significant difference in our lives, allowing us to prioritize her education without the constant fear of being sent home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The arrival of the cash transfer changed everything for my family. I immediately used $50 to pay for my daughter's school fees, which had been a constant source of stress for me. I used to juggle casual jobs, sell groceries, and participate in a women’s table banking group just to scrape together enough money for her education. It was a struggle, but now I can finally breathe easy, knowing that she can attend school without any worries. Furthermore, I spent another $50 on food for my family of eight children. With my husband working as a casual laborer, providing enough meals for everyone was a challenge. We often had to rely on each other to make ends meet, and the food we bought with this money made a significant difference in our daily lives. For the first time in a while, we could enjoy regular meals together, which made us all happier. In addition, I allocated $100 to construct a pit latrine because we had no toilet in our home. Before this, I had to use the church toilet, which was inconvenient and uncomfortable. Although my toilet is not yet finished, I am determined to complete it when I receive my next transfer. Life was tough before this support, with constant worries about school fees and food. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for this help; it has allowed me to focus on other priorities and improved our quality of life significantly.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving the GiveDirectly cash transfers is a tremendous blessing for my family and me. This money will allow me to resolve our water challenges by purchasing a 5,000-liter water tank, enabling us to harvest rainwater for our needs. I will also use the funds to pay my child's school fees, purchase essential household items, and invest the remaining amount in livestock keeping to secure my family's future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Iam overjoyed because we've been blessed with consistent rainfall, allowing me to harvest enough water for my family. This has significantly alleviated the burden of trekking several kilometers to Lake Baringo to fetch water.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my one and a half acre piece of land due to the submergence by Lake Baringo's waters, which was our sole source of income for the family. Now, I am heavily reliant on selling groceries to meet my family's daily needs and cover school fees.