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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 > Judy's Profile
Judy's family
Judy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
30
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?
Right now, I am now focusing on dairy farming to get school fees for my kids. I am also looking forward to starting a maize selling business once I get capital. This is because initially, I used to do groceries. This will help not only in school fees payment but also in investing in merry-go-round monthly contributions.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly baraza was very informative. My key takeaway was that we should safeguard our financial security information always because con men are prevalent in our area. Additionally, GiveDirectly field officers went from house to house in our village, therefore, no household was left out during enrollment.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am an agribusiness woman and a mother of five; three boys and two girls. I majorly focus on maize and sukuma wiki farming to feed my family. On the other hand, to pay school fees, I have been relying on my husband who works as a motorcycle taxi. In addition, we have also been investing in a savings group. Recently, GiveDirectly transfers came, I spent KES 5000 on school fees payment for my daughter in high school. I also spent KES7500 on a goat and it's a young one. And right now the mother goat has given birth to twins and I can't be grateful. I also spent KES 1100 on three chicken layers as a quick income source majorly for household expenditures. Lastly, KES 8000 was spent on a cupboard for the storage of my valuable items and accessories. KES 4800 was used on one and a half bags of maize to ensure the availability of adequate food for my family. Then the rest of KES 5000 was used on the latest clothing fashion.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy, I remembered it was around 9:13am .when I heard a message tone from my phone. I was cleaning the utensils. When I checked it out, I could not believe my eyes because I have never received such amount of money before. I immediately informed my family members and the all celebrated with joy. We knew we would be able to buy a dairy cow. We prepared and went to withdrew the money from the Mpesa agent. I am so happy because were it not GiveDirectly this could not have happened.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought a heifer. I always buy milk from my neighbors and it's so costly for me since I do not have a continuous source of income. I do small scale farming and the harvest that I get is only for consumption. I do not always get surplus to sell. My spouse is a motorcycle taxi rider. He brings home little money, which we spent on paying school fees for our children in secondary school and collge. We had no savings at all. We had wish to own a dairy cow but it was not possible because we had no extra money. When I received money from GiveDirectly we decided with my spouse to purchase a heifer. When it produce in the next few months, we will no longer buy milk. We would have cut the daily cost. The money which we could have used to buy milk, we will save to meet other family needs. I am so grateful because were it not GiveDirectly I could not have own a dairy cow.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend KES 27000 to purchased a heifer. I always buy milk from my neighbors and it's so costly for me. When my heifer reproduces in the next few months I will cut the daily cost of buying milk. I bought building materials ready to build a house for my son. He spents nights at the neighbor's house and this is not comfortable for him. I paid school fees for my daughter in secondary school. I am so happy because she was able to study well without being sent home. Finally I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means alot to our family . We have longed to buy a dairy cow of our own ,it will be a source of livelihood for us. The one we have at the moment was borrowed from a relative. It doesn't produce enough milk since it is an indigenous one, it produce a little just enough to cook tea in the morning. A good dairy cow will cost us approximately USD 3500. My house is also not enough to accommodate us,some of my children go to their grandparents house to sleep there .It's not safe especially for my teenage girl ,so I intend to build her a small house within my compound.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a house wife .I only do house chores .My happiest part of the day is in the evening when Iam relaxing with my family members . I like reading the Kipsigis bible ,it is during this time that I also go through my favorite verses.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Our area is semi arid. The soil is sandy and it's not much productive .We also receive little rainfall that hardly supports meaningful agriculture. It is against this background that we are not food sufficient. We buy food daily ,we live from hand to mouth. Most of our little resources go towards purchase of food . Putting food on table is a real big deal ,other days we sleep hungry .It pains me to see my children go to bed on an empty stomach.