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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Lilian's Profile
Lilian's family
Lilian
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($552 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it was in that I am now stress-free. As a widow, I was overwhelmed with responsibilities that required to be settled by only me. This was not easy as I could jump from one job to the next. The pain of a child lacking something could hurt me so much. I had to work extra hard and make sure I provided for my family even if it meat working till late in the evening. I am glad that I started my business with the second transfer which has been supporting me nowadays. I don't have to depend on casual jobs anymore. I am a happy woman who can take care of the family's burden with ease thanks to GiveDirectly for the support that they gave me.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, what GiveDirectly does is heaven sent. They give people unconditional cash transfers whcih enables someone to be flexible and easily address the needs that are urgent. It is also a great booster for the poor people since one can now plan and strategies on how to achieve their long term goals.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of my transfer on starting a grocery business. I have been doing casual jobs for a long time which are usually unreliable and in efficient. The wages were too little that it could not be able to take care of my needs. I was always stress up most of the time. My children could be sent over a week due to unpaid exam fee and outstanding school fees arrears but today, I use profits from my business that I started using the second transfer to pay the amount. They have never been sent home due to fee arrears, they are bright kids and this time I am sure that they will perform well. I also bought some household items such as seats, a table, new bedding and a solar lantern which I did not have in my house. Apart from that I also bought uniforms, bags, books, for my kids. The rest of the transfers was spent on buying two bags of maize that will sustain us for like four months because purchasing everyday is expensive.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
When I go to bed, I am so at peace. I no longer have fear of the heavy rains. I can now go the market and sell my products in peace and even when it starts raining when I am in the market, I do not get worried about my kids back at home because I know that they are definitely safe in the house and they do get rained on from the leaking roofs.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Holding 55000 KES in my hands was so strange. I have never handled this amount in my entire life and this was the first time it was happening to me. I had mixed feelings. I was happy, at the same time felt confused but, here it was,GiveDirectly had sent me the money and I counted myself lucky and considered my problems over.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Since my husband passed on sometimes back, about 5 years ago, he left us in a very bad house. I cannot blame him for not building us a nice house because he was just a peasant farmer and he never earned much to get us a good life. I have also had nothing substantial that can earn me much to build a better house. This forces me to choose between buying food for the family or build them a house. I have to go for the most felt need at that time, which was buying food. When it rained, I had to wake my children up, sit them down until the rains died down so that they are not rained on, and later I put them back to sleep. If I was tired or felt frustrated doing this, sometimes I covered the leaking holes with polythene which sometimes the winds would blow away. This was devastating and stressing more to my young children, it was equally traumatizing for them and now I had to build them a better house now that I had money. Thanks to GiveDirectly.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to build a better a house and the remaining amount will be spent on starting a small business of selling clothes and shoes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I go out to look for a casual job of ploughing rice fields. This makes me happy as I am able to support my family when I get paid.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I face in my life is that I am a widow and I have two kids who look up to me in terms of food and school fees which at times is hard to find.