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.
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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Hellen's Profile
Hellen's family
Hellen
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
55000 KES ($398 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
It is everyone's prayer to reap well from what he or she sows. Since my family of seven depends on the maize farming on the 1 acre of land I own, I am certain the produce is insufficient to cater for all the family's needs. Therefore, I hope to add another 1 acre piece to sow maize, cow peas, and beans so as to produce food for the household besides the $5 we earn daily from the motorcycle taxi business. We hope to use the income from the motorcycle taxi business as well as the maize sales to make this a success.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
From the moment I received my transfers, my life changed a lot. I have had a constant source of income through the motorcycle taxi business as well as the maize harvests. This is a mirror of the great work of the organization in my community. And if you were to compare before and after receiving the transfers, the change is tremendous. I wish the organization would continue lifting people's lives just as it has been doing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It is said that if you want something, then dare to search for it. I am glad that GiveDirectly has made this a success. In my life, I wanted to own a motorcycle as a means of transport for my children to school as well as to earn the family of seven an income through the taxi business. When I received the transfers, I spent $400 on purchasing a motorcycle, and now it is earning the family $5 a day, which all pays for food for the household. We depend on maize farming to earn income for school fees as well as food for the household, but unfortunately, the climatic conditions have been unproductive, and we have always run into losses. However, we hope this year will be exceptional because the rains prove to be reliable, resulting in a bumper harvest. Last year, I harvested 8 bags, which I sold for $60 a bag, and I hope this year will be positively different.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($423 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was overjoyed when I realized I had received my transfer. I could not contain my pleasure when I learned I had finally received GiveDirectly's cash transfer. That day, I had been away from home for a long time since I attended a burial ceremony in our neighborhood. I felt a serenity of mind, and deep within my heart, I had an unexplained pleasure. I was confident that I would eventually be able to pay my children's school tuition. Because my husband works away from home, I had to inform him, and he was equally pleased.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
From the time I received my transfer, I have experienced a significant improvement in the way of our lives. Previously, I was stressed because I could not afford to buy food or pay my school fees. Since receiving my cash transfer, I have felt some relief in terms of paying school fees and purchasing food for my children. I am glad that all five of my children are enjoying their academics. In addition, I have been able to obtain sufficient nourishment. Formerly, I was reliant on my husband, whose income was insufficient for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of five children, all of whom attend school. When I received my transfer, there were $300 in arrears. As a result, I spent $300 to pay off their school fees. One of them had been sent home for failing to pay her school fees. She had been at home for two days, and because of my financial situation at the time, I could not raise her school fees.  To supplement my investment, I purchased a goat for $40. Also, due to the famine situation, we had trouble obtaining food.  Therefore, I spent the balance of the money on food, and we've been doing so well compared to previously.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of seven members with five children. My husband is a casual laborer and I am a housewife. The first born daughter is supposed to join secondary school on February 2023. I do not have any investment that will help raise school fees for the daughter. She has a school fees structure of $450 per year apart from the uniform and the other shopping cost. I will use $800 to pay school gees and also cater for the required shopping for her to join the secondary school. I will also use $200 to buy food for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My family most of the time goes without food. However, during Christmas my husband brought shopping that made the family enjoy chapati after a long period. The family last took chapati in the previous Christmas.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is a casual laborer and I am a housewife. He earns approximately $60 per month and sometimes he gets a lower income than that. This money is not enough to sustain the family for the whole month. Sometimes the family goes without food and mostly we take one meal per day. My children have grown weak due to malnutrition. Lack of food is the challenge I am facing in life.