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 > Dama's Profile
Dama's family
Dama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
45
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($490 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
A lot has happened ever since I started receiving the transfer but there are some assets that I would like to single out that brought the biggest difference in my daily life. I am now a proud owner of a spacious iron-roofed house that is well plastered. Previously, I used to shelter under a small house that was grass thatched and it was always leaking especially during the winter season. I used to seek shelter from neighbors which were frustrating. Also, I now have a pair of oxen and a dairy cow. I will no longer have to worry during the planting seasons in hiring my neighbor's oxen instead I will be using my own in ploughing. With the dairy cow, I will soon be getting milk for free which will be for my family's consumption and for commercial purposes. For that, I will be earning cash from the sale of the milk and thus will be a source of income which will help me in meeting my family's needs without straining.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in all the sectors in my region. This is because the enrolment was free and fair there was no discrimination of either gender, tribe, or even religion. Provided you were a resident of the particular village one could not be left out. This brought peace, harmony, and unity in the community. Therefore I do not see any sector that GiveDirectly failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying some iron sheets, timber, a few building poles, and timber. This was for the completion of my house which I was constructing using the first transfers. I opted to construct a new one because the previous one had collapsed few weeks before was enrolled. I also bought a dairy cow which cost KES 25000. This will be the living asset that I will depend on in case of any financial crisis. Also, I bought a wooden bed and a mattress to replace the old traditional bed that I was using for all those years. I later cleared school fees for my children who are still in primary school. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my children.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was preparing lunch at exactly 12 noon when one of my sons broke the long awaited news that GiveDirectly had finally debited my first transfer into my account. I felt so happy because I knew I will finally construct a new house and fulfill most of my dreams.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own a decent iron-roofed spacious house. Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I used to shelter under a very small house that had a leaky roof. During the winter seasons, I had to seek shelter together with my family. This was very stressful and frustrating becasue it reached a point whereby we like a burden to my neighbors. And most of the time we choose to stay in our small house and we couldn't sleep till dawn. Also, my children could not study at night or even do school assignments since the house was not spacious. This was really affecting their performance. I am now a happy parent since we are sleeping comfortably and happy moreover there is an extra room for my children to study.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building material such as several building materials, building poles, nails, threads, and timber, This was for the construction of a new house since the previous was almost collapsing with a leaky roof. I later cleared school fees for my children who are in college and primary schools. Also with the remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying enough foodstuffs for my family that will take us to the next harvesting season.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Since I got married, I have been living in a one-roomed house with my two co-wives and our children, I always feel disgraced because there is no privacy at all. We have become a laughing stock to our neighbors and villagers. I had a desire of having my structure but due to financial problems, I have not been able to do so. When I receive the transfers I will use 30,000 Kenya shillings to build a two-roomed house for my family.This will regain my respect and privacy which I have lacked for long. I will also use 35,000 Kenya shillings to buy 2 cows for milking, the income which I will get will help in my financial emergencies. I will then use 20,000 shillings to pay school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a charcoal vendor, I usually move around looking for customers. When evening comes, I feel relaxed because I spend time with my family sharing our meals and narrating stories. Due to this evening becomes the happiest part of my day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been having a stomach problem for a long, I have visited different hospitals for scanning. The doctor said I have a uterus problem that needs special treatment. The treatment cost is 2,000 Kenya shillings but from that time until now I have not been able to raise that amount.Financial crisis therefore is the biggest hardship in my life.The little I get goes into basic needs such as food leaving me with nothing for other needs like medication.