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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Dama's Profile
Dama's family
Dama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
54
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($445 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I intend to join a merry-go-round and save money which I will later on use to purchase a dairy cow. I feel that with such an investment, I will get a guaranteed source of income from selling milk at the dairy and be able to provide for my family with much ease.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I feel that everyone was treated fairly, a reason that no one complains to date but thankful for the generous support. I have nothing bad about the whole process and everyone in the village is still praising GiveDirectly for the generous support they gave us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since my husband passed on, I have been left with the responsibility of looking after my seven children two of whom are still schooling. To cater to our basic needs, I do casual jobs such as burning and selling charcoal. After receiving my second transfer, I deposited $150 in the school account for the two children. I did a few repairs in the house that cost $10 and replaced our old, ripped mattress and bed with new ones costing $100 and we no longer wake up with bodily aches. I also had a land debt of $150 that I cleared. The remaining $50 I used to purchase foodstuff that would last us for a couple of weeks.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($470 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While at a family gathering for a meeting at around 11 am, I received a message on my phone. I did not react to the message since I do not know how to read; instead, I waited till my helper came in the evening to check for me. Before checking, he asked me whether I had received the GiveDirectly transfer since other people had received it in the early morning. I handed over the phone to him and upon checking he told me that I had not been left out of the transfer plan. I felt so happy to an extent of wishing I had wings to fly for a few meters. This happiness was brought by the fact that my two children had been sent out of school due to school fees and they were just at home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Sincerely speaking, my life has been full of challenges as far as school fees and food is concerned. I used to run up and down to make ends meet but sometimes the efforts were not bearing any fruits. I am glad that I received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. This transfer came right on time. My children had been sent out of school due to school fees and accumulated fee arrears. As of now, I am thankful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to pay both the arrears and the required school fees. My children are now happy in school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing after withdrawing the money was to settle the fee arrears my children had and also pay the needed school fees so that they could go back to school. Therefore I paid the fee arrears of KES 10000.00 for my form two child and KES 11000.00 for my form four child. After settling the arrears, I paid KES 5000.00 and KES 6000.00 school fees for them respectively. Thereafter, I opted to buy two plowing bulls for KES 22000.00which would serve as a source of income once I plow someone’s piece of land.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I was growing up, I used to admire our neighbors who were enlightened and working in big towns. They were living a satisfying life compared to us. This made me believe that education is the key to success. Though, I did not get a chance to go to school I work extra hard to pay for my 2 children who are in secondary school. Receiving this money means good education to them. I am intending to spend KES 60,000 to clear all the fees so that my children can study well and I believe they will be employed in the future and support me. Other than that, I will use the remaining amount to remodel the muddy walls of my house which is slumping.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My 2 children who are in secondary school came home last week for holidays and after checking their results they had passed we'll and they are waiting to join the last class ( form 4) next term. This brought a lot of joy to my life because it motivated me to work extra hard to pay for their school fees.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Securing a good job is the biggest hardship I am currently experiencing. I am a widow who works as a casual laborer ( house construction) at our nearby center. This job is not warranted hence the rate of unemployed people is very high. In a day I receive KES 500 but it is not sufficient to cater to basic needs such as school fees and this is the reason I still have accumulated fee balances.