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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 > Lydia's Profile
Lydia's family
Lydia
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($276 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming years and beyond, my goal is to start farming maize and beans. This year, I plan to initiate this agricultural venture, and the thought of accomplishing it fills me with joy. The main aim is to address food security within my family. By growing these crops, I intend to ensure a steady and reliable source of food for my household. The surplus from the harvest will be sold, providing an opportunity for income generation. This not only contributes to the well-being of my family by securing our food needs but also presents a potential economic benefit through the sale of excess produce. Overall, the accomplishment of starting and sustaining this farming endeavor represents a significant step towards a more secure and prosperous future for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has made a big difference in my life. I think they should keep doing what they're doing because their programs have really helped me. They should continue changing other people's lives too, just like they did for me. Their support has been important, and I hope more people can benefit from it in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Recently, I received $450 from GiveDirectly, and I decided to use $300 of it to build a new house. Previously, I lived in a makeshift dwelling, and this investment significantly improved my living conditions. Another $100 was allocated to tapping water. Before, I used to travel 4 kilometers to fetch water, but now having it at home is a great convenience. The availability of water will serve two purposes. Firstly, it will be used for my livestock, ensuring their well-being. Secondly, I plan to utilize the water to irrigate fruits such as avocado and bananas, which thrive in our region. This not only enhances our home use but also opens up opportunities for commercial purposes. The investment in housing and water infrastructure is a significant step towards a more comfortable and sustainable lifestyle for me and my family.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($294 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In our region, goat rearing proves to be a more lucrative venture due to its ease of management, resilience to drought, and self-sufficiency. Consequently, my objective is to increase the number of goats I own, establishing a more reliable source of income. To realize this aspiration, I intend to utilize the funds from the third transfer. I am sincerely thankful for the timely support that arrived when I needed it the most.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization played a crucial role in uplifting our lives, recognizing the challenges we faced due to unfavorable living conditions exacerbated by the harsh climatic conditions we endure. Moreover, they not only addressed our immediate needs but also imparted vital security information to safeguard our funds, underscoring the unwavering commitment to a seamless and unconditional transfer process. In my assessment, the flawless execution of the program underscores its effectiveness and positive impact on our community.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I work as a farmer, and my husband is employed on a casual basis at a water station, and together, we have two children. When we were informed that we would be receiving financial support from GiveDirectly, our primary goal was to utilize it judiciously, recognizing it as a unique and valuable opportunity. We initially used $20 to connect to water, settled a long-standing debt of $40, and purchased maize and other essential food items totaling $115. Additionally, we set aside $250 in savings. I am overjoyed that, finally, we were able to acquire things that seemed unattainable before, given that our income was primarily directed towards meeting basic food needs.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($125 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was en route to our nearby trading center, just a 20-minute walk away, to purchase food for my family's evening meal. Unexpectedly, I heard a notification sound on my phone. I quickly checked the message and was elated to discover that it was a notification of transfers from GD. This brought about a wave of joy, especially because I was without any cash at that moment. The timely transfers left me overwhelmed with happiness, as they enabled me to pay for the evening purchase in cash, contrary to my initial plan of using credit.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Receiving the transfer has significantly improved my quality of life. I now possess an ample supply of utensils, which means I won't have to borrow from my neighbors anymore when guests visit. This newfound self-sufficiency shields me from the embarrassment I experienced in the past. Moreover, the prospect of soon establishing an extra source of income through crop irrigation farming fills me with contentment. This income, combined with the casual labor I am currently engaged in, will allow me to provide the best possible support for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The money provided a much-needed relief for us. I allocated a substantial sum of $70 to purchase water pipes, aiming to connect water to my home from pipes situated 10 kilometers away. The primary objective behind this initiative is to ensure a sufficient water supply for irrigation purposes, both for domestic and commercial cultivation of vegetables and fruits. Given the frequent scarcity of rainfall in our area, this step holds great significance. Although the project is currently in progress, I'm pleased by the anticipation of having a reliable income source soon. Additionally, I attended to the well-being of my family of three by spending $450 on food to sustain us. Furthermore, I allocated $650 to acquire clothing and utensils, supplementing what we already had. This not only enhances our appearance but also ensures we have enough utensils for potential visitors. With the remaining funds, I responsibly settled a food debt that I owed to a nearby shop. This act aligns with my commitment to fulfilling my obligations and maintaining a sense of responsibility within the community.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
This money means a lot to us, it will make what has been unlikely to be likely and make our aspirations come true. The feeling we have is out of this world, we are so excited and we will be forever grateful to GiveDirectly for their support. We have been having trouble with water accessibility for some time now. The county government recently did a water project in our area and every household is free to connect water from the source. This transfers could not have come at a better time than this, we intend to use the transfers to purchase water pipes to connect water to our homestead and purchase a 5000 liters tank. The project will cost us $ 300. The success of the project will relieve me of the stress of trekking long distances in search of water. We will use the water to irrigate our farms too. The remaining amount will be for house construction and the purchase of foodstuffs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Sometimes in May, we received an adequate amount of rainfall and we were able to plant maize crops. The rains had failed for 3 consecutive seasons and it had resulted in severe food insecurity. We are so happy and optimistic about harvesting enough maize sometimes in August since the crops are doing good. We are so hopeful that we will be food secure and be relieved of the pain and stress of having to purchase foodstuffs at high prices as it is the case at the moment.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Water accessibility is a major problem that we are facing at the moment. I do not have a water tank to harvest and store water during the rainy season. As a result, I am forced to trek for 30 minutes to the water pan to fetch water and carry it on my back which is so stressful and tiring. The situation is further worsened because of my condition at the moment. I am heavily pregnant and due in the next 2 months and so I am straining too much. I am forced to go for it since I do not afford to buy from water vendors nor hire a motorbike to bring it for me.