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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 > Caroline's Profile
Caroline's family
Caroline
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($525 USD)
access_time 4 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 different from how it would have been had I never received my transfers in that I have been able to increase the number of assets that I own. Due to this, I now have financial security for the future since I can easily sell some of my livestock. I have also been able to build a spacious house for my family that can accommodate us comfortably. As a result of this, we now have enough privacy as parents as we no longer sleep in the same room with our children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did their work well because they gave everyone in the village financial aid without any form of discrimination.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfers, I bought three heifers worth KES 43000 as a way of investing this money. When the reproduce and increase in number, my family will have enough milk for consumption and sale. I will be using the income from milk sales to meet our daily needs so that I will not be depending on my spouse for everything. I spent the remaining amount to buy some decent clothes for my children and one sack of maize.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now a happy person. This is because I have been able to achieve some of my life goals. First, owning a spacious house will enable me to host my visitors any time without worrying about where they will spend their night in. Also, expanding my dairy farming project will increase my income when the dairy cow I bought starts reproducing. I will use this money to provide for my family needs on time and with much ease unlike now.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 3 am when I received my transfers. I was always alert since I knew that I would receive my transfers any day since people from my neighboring village had informed us that we will receive them any day before 10th. When I received a message notification indicating that GiveDirectly had deposited the promised money into my account, I became so happy. The transfers marked a new beginning in my life because I knew that I would be able to achieve my plans using the money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfer, I used part of it to buy some building materials to use in building a spacious house for my family. My current house will act as a kitchen and my children's bedroom. I used the remaining amount to buy a dairy cow. It has always been my prayer to expand my dairy project but I was not able to achieve this due to lack of money. As a result of this, I will be able to sell milk to my neighbors when it reproduces.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means financial independence to me, something i have always wished to be. I plan to open a stall in the shopping center where i will be selling vegetables and fruits since its a good business opportunity no one has ventured to in my village. My first transfer will act as capital to build the stall and stock it then my second transfer will go to buying a dairy cow and building a bigger iron roofed house since my children have reached an age where they need to have their own room for privacy reasons.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Im always happy in the evening when my children are back home from school since its the time i help them do their homework as i motivate them to work harder in school as we chat on what transpired during the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My spouse who is the breadwinner of the family works as a security guard in the city and the small amount he earns monthly is barely enough to fulfill all the needs of our family. He spends 80% of his earnings In paying schoolfees for our two children in Secondary school. We have never invested in any long term income generating activity which worries us since he plans to leave his job because of the poor pay and the children will soon be joining university