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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 > Rehema's Profile
Rehema's family
Rehema
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
39
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($526 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 very different in that I managed to renovate the roof of my house which was grass thatched,leaky and old with an iron sheet one. I have stress free nights unlike before when I used to beg for sleeping spaces in other people's houses during rainy seasons. Sometimes, we could be forced to converge at a corner with my husband and children since almost every part of the roof was leaky. This even exposed us to cold related diseases like pneumonia that made us weak and unable to execute our daily chores with vigour. I paid school fees for my three children who are in both secondary level and vocational training institution. Education is the best inheritance I could give to them and I hope that they could lead a better life that mine. I used the remaining part of the transfer to invest in sugarcane farming which gives me hope for the future. I believe to harvest in the next two years and save for the advancement of my children education to university level. Thanks to GiveDirectly transfers that came handy at real time of need.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly used the most convenient method of reaching the needy with lots of accuracy and effectiveness. The unconditionality aspect of it empowered people to make the best decisions in spending. My community looks like a small town at night since almost every household is installed with solar light system. All children stay in school with fees arrears settle to the fullest for the first time in history. Houses are decent and it is trues that many used to live in very poor shelter. There is peace and joy in the faces of everyone. Women have engagement in mall scale businesses and no longer bother their husbands when going to the market to buy food. GiveDirectly gas literally performed a miracle in my society at large. However, more transfers could be made available for most vulnerable recipients like the elderly, orphaned children, physically and mentally disabled.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the second transfer on paying school fees for my son who joined a vocational training institute for motor vehicle mechanics course. I love education and training as they add value in people for the better. I hope that upon completion, he will be able to get a better employment opportunity and even bargain for his skills. I would like to see him leading a better life that mine. I used the remaining part to meet farm operations needs like weeding and planting. I have invested in sugarcane farming that is the main economic activity in this area. I have hope for the future as I know that this will be rewarding upon harvesting in the next one and a half years.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Seeing my daughter neatly dressed in full school uniform continuing with her studies is the greatest achievement in my life. This is because two of my children were not able to continue with their studies because I couldn't afford the secondary education school fee. I'm so proud and happy I was able to pay my daughter's school fees and this is the biggest differenc ein my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was very early in the morning when I heard my phone ring and I got worried because it's unusual for my phone to ring that early. I went straight to check the phone and to my surprise, it was a confirmation message that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy, shared the news with my spouse, and we both celebrated. This was the happiest moment of my life and at first, I felt I could go crazy because I had never handled such an amount of money in my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Previously I had a grass thatched house which was leaking. Having young kids it was so devastating to see my children being rained on especially during the rainy season. The moment I received the first transfer I spent a larger portion on building materials which I have already used to construct a decent iron roof house. In addition to that, my third born child sat for the primary national examinations last year, and she performed well. So I used a portion of the money to both purchases for the school requirement and to pay for the whole year's school fee.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
It will a blessing to me. Right now, i live in a grass thatched house and i am happy that i will be able to build a specious house for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is night. This is when i am able to get enough time with my family since at day time my husband is ferrying passengers, and i also engage myself on the farm. We take diner together and that is my happiness as a loving mother.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship i have faced is how to get enough resources that could enable me to have good house, enough food for the family and provision of Education. My husband is motorcycle rider who come home with little money that cannot sustain the family.