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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.
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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Furaha's Profile
Furaha's family
Furaha
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Raising livestock
faceAge:
55
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($485 USD)
access_time over 2 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 different than it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I am living in a spacious house with my family after constructing a new one with my transfers. Previously, I was living in a small, grass-thatched house that leaks a lot, I was always praying never to receive guest because of the poor condition of my house. Furthermore, I was able to purchase proper clothing for every family member, Back in the days, we use to wear old and worn out clothes something that lowered my self-esteem since I always felt uneasy whenever I am in a group of people.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in sending unconditional cash transfers directly to our phones. This has enabled us to decide on our own how to best utilize the transfer. Through the transfer, my life has changed for the better. I was able to construct a decent house in a very short time something that I would not have done without the transfer. In addition, my children are learning with being interrupted due to school fees. In my opinion, I do not see anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 11,500 to complete the construction of my house which I had started with my first transfer by paying KES 7000 labour cost and purchasing 5 more iron sheets for KES4500. This is because for more than 3 years I have been living in a small, leaking, grass-thatched house. Despite the fact that it has a leaking roof, I was sleeping on the floor something that made me spending sleepless nights, especially during the rainy season. I also used 11200 to support the educational needs of my 5 children by clearing fee arrears and completing the payment of the current term fees. most of the time they were at home due to the huge fees balances. I also purchase 2 more goats for KES 5000 a future investment for my family. I used the remaining amount to purchase enough food for the family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($510 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was from my firm when I heard my phone ringing. I told my helper to check on my phone and realize that it was the transfer which I eagerly waited for. I felt very happy because the dream of having a decent have was finally about to be accomplished.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference In my life is the fact that I am having a new and decent house which I was not imagining of have very soon. My house was grassy thatched which requires a lot of maintenance than iron roofed house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had a desire of building a descent house for my family because I used to sleep in a small, old grassy thatched house which leaks during rain season. My first priority was to the build a new iron roofed house. I spent my transfer to purchase buildings poles, 20 Iron sheet, rope and labor charges. I also bought clothes and food for my family. The remaining amount helps me to educate my children who were always sent home due to lack of school fees.
 
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means a descent and a spacious house for my family and a fullfiment of my desire to educate all my children upto secondary school. I'm planning to use 300 dollars to construct a two-bedroom house for my family. This will assure my family adequate sleeping space thus refrain from seeking help from neighbors' house for my children to sleep. I'll further use 500 dollars to pay my children's schools fees so that they can have enough study time in school. I believe that paying school fees in time will in the long run improve their academic performance.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. In the afternoon, I interact with my family members and this makes me happy irregardless of the life challenges I face.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is lack of a reliable source of income to sustain my family. The charcoal burning job I engage myself in is very tiresome with low returns.