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 labour
faceAge:
50
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($517 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a new house which I built with part of my GD transfers. Without the transfers, I would still be living in a grass thatched house with a leaking roof. At least now I am comfortable inviting my friend and church mates to come visiting me. I have a new and decent house with new house household items such as seats which I did not have before. thanks to GD.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The surveys which were conducted before the transfers was the best move to select the people for the transfers. There is nothing GD could have done better.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my transfer in investing in livestock by buying two cows and five goats as an investment for the transfers. Livestock is a source of wealth and can even sell to raise money. I also paid school fees arrears for my children who have been constantly sent home for fees arrears. I am glad they have never been sent home again because of the transfers.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($533 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I have been longing to have a permanent house for so many years but I could not afford to construct one. This is because the income I was getting from my casual jobs was very little. Being a single parent, I was responsible for all the basic needs of my family. After receiving my first transfer, my priority was to build a decent house. I thank God because I managed to construct one and this is the biggest difference in my daily life I can proudly talk about so far. Previously, we used to sleep under a very small hut which was leaking during the rainy seasons. I was never at peace with my children especially when they want to do their school assignments at night. I am now glad since the situation is different now since they can do their assignments and sleep peacefully without any difficulties.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 3 am when I heard my phone ringing. When I checked what the message was all about, I realized it was an M-Pesa message from GiveDirectly indicating that they had debited my first transfer on my account. I was very happy at that moment and could not explain this joy because I would soon build a permanent house after many years of living in a grass-thatched hut.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on paying school fees for my son who is in college. Previously he used to stay at home since I am a single parent. I had to struggle very hard for him to get back to college. Also, I bought some building materials at KES 14000 like iron sheets 16 pieces of iron sheets, 30 building poles, timber, some nails and paid the mason his full cost for the construction process. I wanted to construct a new decent house since my previous house was leaking because its roof was grass thatched which and very old. Furthermore, it could not accommodate all my family members comfortably as it was small. I used the remaining amount of money to buy two goats so that I can start rearing them as my assets.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better living for me and my family. I will be able to build a bigger and better house than my current one that is old and dilapidated. I will also settle part of the fee balances for my children and ensure their education is uninterrupted. Finally, I will purchase oxen amd an ox plough to help in farming because it saves time compared to manual farming using a hoe. This will ensure a food secure home for me and my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is my favourite part of the day especially now that my children are on a short holiday break from school. This is because they help me do my chores and later enjoy breakfast together unlike school days when they just wake up and prepare for school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
It's been more than twenty years since my husband and I separated due to his mental illness. Since then, I have had to single handedly cater for my children's basic needs such as food, education, medication etc. With little and unreliable income due to scarcity of trees caused by massive deforestation, my charcoal business has not been doing well. My children's education suffers the most as they are constantly kicked out of school due to huge fee balances.