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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 > Caren's Profile
Caren's family
Caren
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
35
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At first my goal was to set apart some of my transfers with an intention to use it to pay off school fees for my two children who are currently in secondary school. Since I succeeded in this, I developed an additional goal of buying a cow. Throughout my life time, I have never owned even a single goat, although I have been desiring to have one. Now that I own a cow, I am hopeful that my family shall be able to obtain milk for free. Previously, I used to buy milk for my family hence this made life a little bit more expensive.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in making direct visitation to the potential recipients in their houses. This helps in minimising cases of discrimination since every household is given an opportunity to be enrolled in the program. As a result, no member of the community has an influence on the way GiveDirectly operates. However, there is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent about KES 30,000 from my most recnt tranfers on byying a cow since I did not have any prior to my enrollment in GD program. This situation of lacking assets in terms of livestock, made some of my community members to look down upon me. Painfully, some could mock me that nothing good could come from my house. In addition, I saved KES 18,000 purposfully for paying school fees for 4 children; 2 girls in secondary school and 2 boys who are at the moment in primary. This will lighten my work hence any little income I get from the sale of my crops will purely help in acquring food for my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had gone to fetch water from the river and on my way back, I heard people asking themselves with so much joy in their voices if they had received the promised transfer from GiveDirectly. Their inquisitiveness made me curious and I hurriedly made my way back home so that I could check my phone which I had left charging. I was filled with so much joy from seeing the SMS on my phone and I gave thanks to God for the blessing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that the transfer has brought into my life is that I have had some peace of mind after paying my child's school fees. I no longer have to worry that he might be sent home due to arrears. Thank you so GiveDirectly for easing my burden.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the money on paying school fees for my child. He was about to be sent home due to school fees arrears and I kept thinking about what I was going to do to get the money needed. I was not able to pay the school fee because the money that I had set aside for his fee, I used in buying some medicine for him. He is usually sickly and there are some drugs that he usually takes. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly because the transfer was timely, my child was hence not sent home.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am currently using my main house like kitchen and house for sleep, this money allows me to build a separate kitchen with KES 40000. Also, I am struggling to pay school fees for my son in secondary school, this money will help me clear school areas of KES 20000. I am currently relying on casual jobs to feed my children which have been uneasy for me, I will budget KES 10000 for food and other basic needs for my family and use the rest of KES 30000 to have a cow for myself, this will give me a good opportunity of making some income through the sale of milk.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is during lunchtime, this time I am usually done feeding my children. I am happy because my children were able to eat something.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints have been my big struggle, I rely on casual jobs to put something on the table as well as paying fees for my children. This make my life not easy and struggle a lot.