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 > Furaha's Profile
Furaha's family
Furaha
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
37
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($502 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The goats that I am currently rearing in my compound has brought the biggest difference in my life. This is because I did not have any livestock in my homestead that I can depend on just in case of any emergency. These are also my assets for the future of my children's education. Secondly, having have paid fees for my children has also changed my daily life. If it was not for GD I would have struggled a lot in raising the fees.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did everything so well in my village. This is because it saved us from the poverty lives that we have had for all those years. Our standard of living have also improved because we were given te money and chosen on what we have been longing to own. Everyone in my village now has a good shelter, livestock and most of our children are now at school. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part second transfer on buying some beddings such as a bed, a mattress, bed sheets at KES 11000. Previously we were using the old traditional beds which we were not comfortable with. Apart from that I also bought some new clothes for my children and mine as well at 15000, I also paid some tuition fees for my children at a total of KES 12000. The remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying some enough foodstuffs for my family and some other household items.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($547 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
After sending my children to school and clearing the huge fee balances, I feel it has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because two of my sons were already in secondary school but then they were always being sent home every now and then because of the fees arrears. I had to borrow some loans so that I could clear the fees but it reached a point I could no longer borrow the loans because I was not repaying in good time. This is because of the low income that I had was not enough to make me fulfill all the debts. This made them stay home for long but I thank God because the money has enabled me to send them back to school again. One of my children had finished primary school level so I was able to take him to secondary school as well. All I can say is that may our good Lord continue to bless this organisation for the financial support they gave us.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was from the dam when I heard my phone ringing continuously. This was a clear indication there was a message. I then checked its content and realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. They had sent the money as they had promised during the enrollment. I was over-excited and all I could is to laugh on top of my voice.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of the money on clearing school fees for my children who are in secondary school. One was joining secondary school and I am really thankful because my transfer came in good time. I am very sure if it could not for the financial support from GD my son could still be at home. I then bought eight goats at KES 24000. I opted in buying the gats because of the climatic condition of my village, it is ever dry here, so I felt the goats can survive, unlike other domestic animals. In addition to this, the goats require minimal supervision compared to any other animals. The remaining amount of money I bought some new clothes for my children and enough foodstuff that would take us to the next harvesting season.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My desire has been to start livestock rearing especially goats like others in the village. This livestock will help me in any emergency since I will be able to sell them at a profit after they multiply. Receiving this money means realisation of my longing. I am planning to purchase 10 indigenous goats at $25 each. In addition, I am planning to use $160 to clear fees arrears of my child who is in secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day because waking up healthy with my family give me joy in life. I usual thank God for the new day when every member of my family is well.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Charcoal burning is what I have known in my life since I lack skills to acquire a better job. Despite this job being very tiresome, laborious and requires a lot of time to prepare it earns me very little money.On average I earn 3 dollars per sack selling a sack 3 to 4 days of preparing. I have wished to start a sustainable source of income but I have not accomplished my desire due to financial instability. Therefore, lack of a reliable source of income has been the biggest hardship in my life.