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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 > Felgona's Profile
Felgona's family
Felgona
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
79
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53075 KES ($527 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 currently different from how it was in that I managed to renovate my house. My previous house was built some years back and so it was very old. My grandchild had saved some amount of money for a period of time towards this project but the constructors conned them. This was stressful because I had nowhere else to get the money and through my grandchild's hard work from the odd jobs I thought my dream of staying in a decent house was coming to a reality. I appreciate that Give Directly revived the dream since all my hopes had been shattered completely. I thank GiveDirectly very much because I finally managed to renovate it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I love the idea of GiveDirectly giving us unconditional cash where we are allowed to use the money the way we want. The transfers are not loans, we do not expect anyone to ask us to return the money back. I also like how they fully engaged us from the beginning, the meetings we had and how they sought everyone's consent before doing anything. All these were helpful because we knew what the program entails and what was expected of us. According to me, there is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer on fixing doors and windows. I used to have an old wooden door and windows which threatened our security as a family and this issue used to stress me up. I had tried many ways to solve the issue but money was a limitation. I am glad that GiveDirectly came and gave us the unconditional cash transfers which made me to accomplish this long term dream. I also spent part of the money to clear school fees balance for my grandchild who had finished high school and had pending arrears. This has enabled her to pick her documents which were held back in school that she can now use where they are required. The remaining amount was spent on food that lasted us for a good number of months.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($548 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the money is that I feel so happy, peaceful and proud because finally I have managed to accomplish my goal. Before I couldn't sleep whenever I thought of how to raise money for completing the construction of my house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment when I received the money I felt so happy because I have always been worried on how to raise another money for completing my house after the laborer had fled with my money that I had paid him. At that moment I felt relieved and I knew it was now time I completed constructed the house.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of the money I received from GiveDirectly to purchase building materials (steel doors, steel windows, nails, paint) that I used to finish constructing my house that I constructed some years back but the laborer who was assigned to work on it fled with all the money that I had paid him to use to complete it. A little portion of the money I spent on food for my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means my problems are going to be solved and am no longer going to be a laughing stock.Am going to complete building my house,purchase solar lights and feed well.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when a few relatives come to check on me and provide some cash that I can use to buy some basic needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is sickness. This is the sixth year of being in and out of hospital.It has prevented me from undertaking farming in a big way prompting me to sell even some parcels of land.