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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.
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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Acquline's Profile
Acquline's family
Acquline
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
28
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($325 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Due to my profound love for farming, particularly cultivating various vegetables, I aspire to delve deeper into the field. By the year's end, I aim to explore new techniques, expand the variety of plants I grow, and enhance overall yield. My ultimate vision entails broadening my supply to encompass multiple towns within my County. This ambition drives me to establish a wider reach and contribute to meeting the agricultural needs of a larger community.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
One aspect of Give Directly that I hold in high regard is their timely assistance. Their support arrived precisely when we were in dire need of significant financial help, amidst one of the most severe droughts we had ever experienced. This intervention transformed the situation for numerous families. With the assistance provided, people were able to secure meals once more, children returned to school, businesses bounced back, and families rediscovered happiness. Give Directly's timely intervention truly altered the narrative and brought about positive changes in the lives of many.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving my third and final set of transfers filled me with immense joy as it marked the end of the prolonged stress and frustration caused by a long-standing debt. Despite having purchased a piece of land and even constructing on it, I had never been able to fully repay the debt, despite my best efforts. With the last transfers in hand, I made a firm decision to settle the debt once and for all. I allocated $200 towards this purpose, and it turned out to be the best decision I could have made for myself at that time. Additionally, I chose to revitalize my living room by investing $150 in new furniture. This would provide me with the comfort I desired and allow me to host family and friends without any sense of embarrassment. With the remaining $100, I treated myself to my very first smartphone. It felt like a dream come true, as I had yearned for a smartphone for a long time. I am thrilled to finally have one, as it enables me to browse the internet and simplify our lives by leveraging its various features. I received I was able to settle a debt of 20k to pay for a piece of land, I bought furniture with 15000, bought a phone of 10k
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($337 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My plan for the coming year is to grow my little farm by purchasing more land, which will allow me to strengthen both my subsistence and animal farming operations. By doing so, I hope to raise the amount of food I produce while decreasing my dependency on purchasing additional food. In addition, I intend to start keeping cows on my farm, which will supply my family with a sustainable source of dairy products. To accomplish this goal, I will save from the short crop season and leasehold farming, as well as investigate financing options that would allow me to acquire the additional property I require. Finally, I hope that this expansion will enable me to become more self-sufficient and capable of providing all my family's needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done an excellent job in providing direct cash transfers to individuals and households in need, enabling them to address immediate financial needs and improve our living conditions. The unrestricted nature of the transfers allows us to spend the money as we see fit, promoting flexibility. However, to further improve their impact, GiveDirectly could collaborate with local organizations to ensure the transfers are sustainable and provide ongoing support to recipients as needed. Lastly, they could explore ways to expand their reach to more communities in need, especially in challenging environments with adverse weather conditions.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am grateful for the support I received from GiveDirectly, which has allowed me and my husband to provide daily meals, proper housing, and clothing to our family of five. Although I used to operate an electrical repair shop, I was forced to close it due to a lack of customer trust. With the second transfer, I was able to construct a new kitchen that not only serves as a cooking space but also doubles as a sleeping area for my daughter. The $275 I spent on 22 iron sheets, poles, nails, and frames has been a great investment. Additionally, I saved money by purchasing a $25 shaving machine, which has helped me avoid costly monthly visits to the barbershop for my children. The remainder of the money was used to cover school fees for my child and my sister, who has been living with me. I am glad that the support from GiveDirectly has allowed my children to continue their education without interruption.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($160 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At around 2:00 p.m., I received a Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. When I read it, it brought back memories of the initial meeting, where we were taught that the sender's name would not be GiveDirectly. I was eager to read and couldn't help but notice that it was the the confirmation of the receipt of the first transfer I had been promised. I was with my children at the time, and they couldn't understand my excitement because they were so young. I called my husband, who was delighted about the news I had given him because he had promised to be home earlier for further planning.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the higher standard of living, particularly for my children, who are now sleeping soundly in a good bed with a comfortable mattress. Waking up every morning to make their bed warms not only their hearts, but also mine, because they no longer have to roll their bedding and hide it beneath my bed like they used to. They are also well fed after I purchased so much maize that we are nearly out, but with the expectation of returning to our farms for the planting season.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I got married, we have relied on subsistence farming and selling the surplus whenever we have a good harvest. There has been a lot of drought recently, and farming practices have not been doing well. When I first received my transfer, I spent $110 on two sacks of maize for my family of five. I am glad we have been using it since then, and even though we are almost out, we're hoping that the second transfer will allow us to buy more. I also spent $60 on a bed and mattress for my two daughters. They had been sleeping on the floor with old bedding, but they are now content to sleep in a comfortable bed. In addition, I spent the remaining $30 on household items such as toiletries and kitchenwares.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
The plan I have with the transfers is to purchase a 5000 liter water tank which I would use to store water. This water will be of great significance since I'll be able to do farm irrigation. I will also purchase a cow at $500 which would provide my household with milk. It would help me a great deal since I wouldn't have to buy milk any more. The water tank will be a good source of water for the cow since I plan to do zero crazing. The remaining amount will be used to purchase the farm products and also grass for the cow I will purchase. The transfers will surely change my life positively.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My pawpaw plantation has made me happy over the last six months. As you can see, practically every tree bears fruit, and whenever they are ready to be sold, I do so in order to raise money for my daughters, Adriale and Joy, who both need milk. This makes me so happy!
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The difficulty I'm having is a lack of water. There was water in the river when I purchased this plot of property in 2020, and I planted a lot of crops, which brought in approximately $500. However, the river has dried up since 2021, so I've been unable to grow anything. We occasionally receive piped water, but it is insufficient for irrigation. Since I rely on my farm for income, I am unable to buy some necessities like milk.