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 > Judy's Profile
Judy's family
Judy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
31
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($444 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have been living with my children on my parents' land where I can barely start an extra project since it is so squeezed. Besides, the house we were given by our mother is a single room. I am glad I was able to buy a piece of land with the first transfer and my goal is to construct a home on that piece of land. The payments I earn from working on people's are not much but I will try to save some money out it towards this course. I have kids who will need a place to construct their houses soon and I believe the home will be their pride.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am grateful for the great work that GiveDirectly did. Most of us were suffering before the transfers but a lot has improved at the moment. People who never had the hopes of owning good houses or taking their children to school managed to achieve them all. I did not know I would ever have a place we call home but through transfers, we have already bought a piece of land. Everyone felt that they were treated fairly hence no complaints about the organization.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My son had just been admitted to a day secondary school for his grade nine after achieving good grades in his final primary school examinations. It was a glorious moment for all of us but again raising his school fees was a challenge. I am a single mother and I do not have a reliable source of income. I work on people's farms for pay but whatever I make out of it could not afford the KES 20000 that was needed for him to be enrolled. I am grateful for the timely receipt of the second transfer. I, therefore, spent KES 20000 on both his school fees and school materials that were required for his admission. KES 12500 I spent on a goat and five chickens. These will be of great help once they reproduce. My family will have enough milk for consumption once the goat gives while I earn some income from selling both eggs and the chicken in the future. KES 20000 we used to purchase enough foodstuffs to sustain my family for a good period.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($483 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was some minutes past 3 pm when I received a message notification on my phone while I was making tea for my family. My heart was filled with joy upon reading its contents and I whispered a word of prayer to thank God for the blessings that had just come in. I knew that our life would never remain the same and I eagerly waited for my children to come back from school so that I would share the news with them.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life has never been the same again ever since I received the transfer. As a single mother, the worry of not having a place of my own had weighed me down. This is because I knew that I would one day be sent out by my brothers since ladies do not inherit land from their parents in my community. I am happy that GiveDirectly came to my rescue and I am now a landowner. I believe that I will be able to achieve more and continue transforming my life using my second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother of six and I have been living in a house that I was given by my parents. I have been doing some casual work around the village so that I can get money to spend on food and to pay school fees for my children. I knew that there would come a time when my brothers would want me to vacate this house when they will be dividing the land and it had been my wish to own a place of my own but I had not been able to achieve this. When I received my transfer, I spent it to buy a piece of land at KES 30000 from my brother who was selling since he had relocated to Nakuru. In addition, I bought a three-seater seat at KES 5000 since I did not have any seats, spent KES 2000 on five chickens as an investment, and used the remaining amount on food and clothes.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a single parent and I do casual jobs in order to sustain the needs of my family of 5. 7 years ago we separated with my spouse because of family conflicts and since then I have been living in my parents land. My dream has been to own a piece of land so that my children will have a place to call home. With this transfers, I will use around KES 70,000 to purchase 2 acres piece of land and use the rest to build better a house. I am happy as this will give me peace of mind as culturally ladies are not allowed to inherit their father's land.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Towards the end of last year, Givedirectly visited our area and informed us of their intention of working in our village. This brought me joy because I knew my dream of owning land and being financially stable will come into reality.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenges I am facing currently is financial constraints. On a good day I earn KES 100 from the casual jobs that I do. This is hardly enough to even cater for school fees for my 3 children in primary school let alone purchase food. Lack of money makes me strain alot and life has been difficult sometimes even I have sleepless nights.