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:
Small business
faceAge:
61
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My desire is become a renown livestock farmer because investing in livestock is a reliable source of income nowadays. So if I get some money, I will add the number of goats. I am choosing goats over cows because to some extent, goats can withstand drought compared to cows and also their birth span is lesser than that of cows.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is an organization of its own kind, through the cash transfers it has enabled many families in our community which were living in hats to construct good houses and also be able to take their children to school. As at now our community has a new face, it looks good and bright not as before and this is because of GiveDirectly. In my opinion, this organization is faultless and blameless since it did what other organizations could not. I echo its doings and I also pray for its existence.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I bought goats worthy KES 17500.00. These goats are an investment and after a short while my zoo will be full of goats. Since I have a child who is in secondary school and she has been on and off school due to school fees, I opted to pay the arrears plus the current fees so that she be retained in school for proper learning. In respect to that, I paid KES 18000.00 school fees for her. After settling the two key things, I did not want to exhaust all the money because the season we were in was a drought season where we were required to buy both the food and water; I kept the remaining amount for the family upkeep.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so happy and grateful the moment I received the money because I didn't have anything even a house let alone land since we used to live a borrowed land where we were living in a makeshift house which was not any different from sleeping out in the open. I, therefore, desired to have my own plot of land, a proper house, at least get to settle my son's school fees arrears and buy food for my family. So, when I got the money from GiveDirectly, was so happy because I was able to fulfill all that I desired. I am so grateful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that I am happier and with a peace of mind now unlike before. I didn't have a house and used to live on a borrowed land but I now have my own land and live in a proper house. I wake up on my own compound like any other person, which makes me so proud and happy. I am breathing a sigh of relief, and I no longer have sleepless nights like I used to before. That is the biggest difference in my daily life, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer which was a total of KES 45000 in which KES 15000 was for a partial payment for a piece of land because we used to live in a borrowed land, and the owner used to constantly remind us of the need for us to either buy it or move to our own which used to give me sleepless nights and made me so stressed. The other KES 30000 was spent on building a proper house because we used to sleep in a makeshift house which was not any different from sleeping out in the, which was both uncomfortable and unhealthy. Therefore, I am now so happy and grateful that I am living on my own land and in a far much better and proper house, that I will never be bothered by anyone and it is bye bye to all the sleepless nights I used to have before. All thanks to GiveDirectly. I also spent KES 5000 on settling my son's school fees arrears because I was stranded and didn't have the means or ability to settle them. It also used to stress me a lot since I know that it is my responsibility to cater for my child's education, therefore, there was no thinking twice about it when I received the money. I also did that because I believe in education and that when my son gets a good education, I will be able to count on him in the future to help me address the financial challenges I will be facing. This makes me so happy, proud and hopeful.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better house for my family. This is because my house is not yet complete due to lack of money. I am planning to spend KES 40,000 for the house as well as purchase of two beds and mattresses. I will also use KES 15,000 of the second transfer to clear fee balance for my child so that he can have a good time to study for his final secondary school examination. The remaining amount will help me to cater for other basic needs such as food and water.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month when my village elder informed me that there will be a community meeting for GiveDirectly. The officer at the meeting said that the organization is is aiming at enrolling us to benefit on cash so that we can use it to address our household needs. This news made me happy because I new it us an opportunity to educate my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is lack of money to pay school fees for my children. I am house wife depending on charcoal production. Due to the prolonged drought the forest is depleted and in a month I can get four sac of charcoal which sell at KES 600 per sac. This has made me to struggle paying school fees as well as meeting other basic needs such as food and water for the family.