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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 > Lilian's Profile
Lilian's family
Lilian
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
48
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I don't have any new goal at the moment, I still have a long way in paying for my children's school fees, I believe that I should equip them well in school for them to have a brighter future, I am grateful for the support that gave us hope of a better tomorrow by lifting our living standard amazingly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The support that we received from GiveDirectly has lifted the lives of so many individuals in our community, thus, I do not take it for granted, I am forever thankful for the aid that brought sunshine to our village, The staff are well behaved and are patient throughout message delivery, thus I have not identified any loophole in the GiveDirectly project.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
School fees have been my major challenge, I was left to carry all the responsibilities alone because I am a widow, I depend on my maize milling business to earn an income, though it is barely enough to sustain us due to many responsibilities at hand, I have one child at the university and three of them are in high school, The transfer came as a relief in my life, I knew that with it I would be able to clear the remaining fee arrears, thus I used KES 40,000 on school fees, I then used the remaining amount on foodstuffs and clothes. I am thankful for the huge support that impacted our lives positively.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($490 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the morning and I was busy in the fields herding my cows, suddenly I heard my phone ringing notifying me of a new message. I stopped to check it and to my surprise, it was an SMS saying that I had received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and I gave thanks to God and GiveDirectly for what they had done to us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that the transfer has brought into my life is that I feel my life has improved, I am no longer how I used to be. I have been to do what I never thought that I will be able to achieve. My mind is hence relaxed because I no longer have to think about where I am going to get the money to buy a tank and to fence my land. I can now focus my energy on other developments.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the money on buying a water tank. Most of the time we experience drought in our area and when this happens, the rivers dry up. Getting water hence becomes a challenge. I decided to buy the water tank so that when it rains, I can collect the rainwater and use it for my household consumption. I was not able to buy one before because I didn't have enough money. I am casually employed at a posho mill and the little money that I get most of it goes to payment of school fees for my children and buying food. I am therefore so grateful to GiveDirectly for making my dream come true.
 
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean that my children get quality education. When my late husband died I had to step up and provide for my family. I currently have 4 children under my care who are still in school. My priority right now is to pay school fees for my son who joined university this year. For his fees I'll use around KES 30,000 for his 1st semester, then KES 10,000 for my daughter's school expenses. The remaining amount will aid in purchasing a water tank worth KES 18,000, food and clothes .
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. I work as a casual labourer and I get exhausted during the day. But seeing my children back from school in the evening gives me hope to continue working hard and help realize their dreams.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is insufficient capital, I have children in school yet I can not pay for their school fees each term. I work as an attendant at a small posho(maize) mill and I get paid KES 1500 per month. I can not support my children with such income nor buy food for them