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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 > Alexander's Profile
Alexander's family
Alexander
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
63
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 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 different in that when GiveDirectly came, we hardly had anything as a family to be proud of. I felt so much happy and proud as a father when I was finally able to settle my last born son in school with much ease. This is something that had been eating up my mind for a long time considering that I had no personal assets to sell at the event that I did not have any cash to help him complete his secondary education. For the three years that he had been in school, we sold almost everything to help him realize his dream of a better future. It would have been so devastating to keep him for the three years only for him to drop out at his fourth year in secondary school. My son felt so happy and am optimistic that he will pass his form four exams at the end of the year. It is something I will live to remember for the rest of my life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well in its community engagement to demystify the rumors that comes with the transfers in my community. Their barazas are so involving and informative and goes a long way in making us accept and put the money into good use. The fact that GiveDirectly funds are unconditional is something to be proud of. I do not see anything that I feel GiveDirectly should change.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer to pay school fees for my son who has just joined form four. It is a requirement for all the candidates in that school to board and this transfer came in handy to help me pay his school fee and also buy him the boarding requirements. I felt so much happy to see my son join form four with much ease. It has always been my hope and prayer to give him the best in terms of education as this is the only hope I have and look up to in the days to come. I also spent part of the remaining amount in buying our household needs and especially food to keep my family going. I come from an arid area that hardly produces any food and more often than not we as a family go without food. When I got this transfers, it was a relief on my side knowing that my family will have plenty of food in the days to come and thus enabling me to perform other duties.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($541 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I no longer buy milk because I have bought a dairy cow, I can now save the money that I could have used to buy milk to meet other daily needs for my family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow and pay school for my children.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spend my first transfer on buying a dairy cow, I used to buy milk and it was costly for me and the remaining amount I paid school fees for my children and bought food.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a lot to me.I have never received any monetary help and this has come in a very good time when i needed money to help improve my farming activities.Am very happy and grateful
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is mid morning to afternoon.This is the time when I am in my farm.Working in my farm makes me very happy
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My wife got sick for a whole year.It was a very difficult moment since we had to go from one hospital to another seeking medication.This really drained my finances and it reached a point when i had to sell a piece of land to settle medical bills.This is the biggest hardship I have faced