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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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Completed
Newsfeed > Lillian's Profile
Lillian's family
Lillian
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
30
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($512 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Having an iron-roofed house is a miracle for me. I have been living in a grass thatched house for the last three years. This is because I did not have the resources to buy building materials for putting up an iron-roofed house. The little I used to get from my farm and casual work, I would use to meet our daily needs and any kind of emergency that would arise in the family. As a result, I knew I would not manage to build an iron-roofed house until I received my transfer from GD. I was able to use the money to buy an iron sheet, nails, and timber which I used in putting up an iron-roofed house. I live in the same kind of house just like my friends. This is my pride and I feel happy anytime I walk in and out of the house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am very happy that GD trusted us well that we could use the money to our own benefit. In most cases, the kind of aid we have always received from NGOs are in terms of school fees which is paid at the school or you get building materials. As for GD they gave us the transfer to use as we wish which really helped us meet our dire needs effectively. I feel comfortable with what GD did.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to buy two bulls. I have always desired to own the bulls so that when it comes to planting seasons, I do not have to spend money on hiring for bulls to plough my farm. It is costly and during that time the highest bidder always gets served first. Since I did not have a good income, I would have to plough my farm late hence I used the transfer to buy the bulls. I will use the bulls to plough my farm and for others at a cost to raising an extra income. This will help me serve my family well. I also paid school fees arrears for my children who had been given a warning on the same. Two weeks prior to the transfer, I had received a letter from the school informing me that my children would be sent home for the arrears if not paid in time. I am glad I was able to clear their balance before they were sent home. The remaining amount I used to buy food for the family. We had not run out of what to eat but I just took a precaution.
 
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.
Owning the house is the biggest difference in my daily life. Previously I used to sleep under a small grass-thatched muddy hut which was ever leaking whenever it could rain. This was really hectic especially for my child whenever she wanted to study at night it was difficult for her since the house was not spacious. we are now happy and safer because we are sleeping under a semi-permanent iron-roofed house which is also well plastered. My child can now study comfortably without any difficulties which are giving me hope for her bright future.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 2200hrs when I received a message notification on my phone. Upon checking, I got overexcited when I realized that the money that had been promised by Give Directly has hit our M-pesa accounts. I was sure now that dreams I always had would finally be achieved with the help of the transfer.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent some good amount of the first transfer to buy building materials such as poles and iron sheets for the construction of a new house. I previously lived in an old grass-thatched hut that would leak whenever there was a downpour. This made our stay very uncomfortable. I am glad we now live in a new semi-permanent house. I also bought some household items such as a bed and a mattress. I used the rest of the transfer to clear my children's school fees, bought two goats for rearing and enough food for my family that would last us for a while, especially now that we haven't harvested much from our farms for while. I am grateful for Give Directly.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to build a better house for me and my family. The current one is almost collapsing and the roof is partly open after heavy winds blew away the roof. This will help me keep my family safe from intruders and the anticipated rainfall that might negatively affect their health. With the rest of the transfers, I will buy livestock that will serve as security for future financial needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when I come home to rest after spending the morning cutting trees and uprooting trunks for charcoal burning, which is currently our source of livelihood, work that is very strenuous.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine living in a house where you can perfectly get a view of the sky, not because you want to but because the roof was blown away by heavy winds earlier in the year. The house itself is almost collapsing due to the heavy rainfall we experienced last year. Sadly, our income from the charcoal business cannot sustain all our needs such as food and education yet still have enough to repair the roof or better yet build a new house. Now being the rainy season we live in fear not knowing how heavy the rainfall will be and whether or not it will affect our already collapsing house.