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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Pamela's Profile
Pamela's family
Pamela
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
73
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($530 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?
The difference in my life is enormous. I eat well and never miss any meals as before. I feel stronger and healthier in that I stocked enough food and is never worried on where the next meal could come from. I bought a bed, a new mattress and two blankets that have made my sleep enjoyable and comfortable. I do have sweet dreams unlike before when I used to sleep on a mart with torn blanket. I bought chairs and no longer sit on the floor. I bought a cow and four sheep. The cow will eventually provide me with milk and ghee that will improve on my family's food security. I also intend to sell the surplus and use the money to buy more cows. I shall use their droppings for manure and this will save me from budgeting for fertilizer. The human dignity in me has been uplifted in that I don't feel ashamed when visitors come and even church members whom I fellowship with. I have prepared my farms and planted maize and beans which will form part of the food security in my household when we harvest. I look smart in my new clothes which I bought with the transfers and does not walk in rags that could make some people confuse me to me mentally challenged. Thanks to GiveDirectly for giving us hope and life worth living.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am elderly now but I have never experienced an organization that is efficient and transparent as GiveDirectly. The freedom and power of choice given to the poor is a miracle that we had never dreamt of. However, more transfers could have been added to the old and vulnerable people like me.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the second transfer on purchase of chairs. I used to sit on the floor which was dusty being that I never had any form of chairs in my house. This was so embarrassing especially when visitors came and I had to go begging from neighboring homesteads who could later gossip about my pathetic situation. Nowadays, I feel free to invite my church members and other relatives into my house because there is comfort.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($550 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My past life was full of frustration compared to the current one. I could sometimes go without any meal for the whole day, but now, I take my meals at the right time and eat what I want. It reached a time when I could quarrel with my daughter in-law to fetch for me water, now I have a peaceful mind and respect prevailed amongst us. This will help me in prevention of diseases associated with contaminated water like typhoid, cholera and dysentery.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received money, I was very happy. My past life was very pathetic and I could not get assistance from anybody. My only son is also poor and could not take care of me since he has a family to take care of too. With the money received, I was hopeful that all my needs will be met. I sleep comfortably in bed which I didn't have before and right now I am capable of accessing my basic needs like food, clothing, and good shelter. Finally, I will be able get clean water directly from my water tank.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used my first transfer to buy bed, mattress, 3 blankets, water tank and a sofa set. All along, I have been sleeping in a skin spread on floor. GiveDirectly has made me manage to sleep comfortably in a bed with mattress in it. I am 72 years old and cannot go down the river to fetch water, the water tank I bought will enable me to trap clear water for my day-to-day usage.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I am going to be able to buy cement, and windows to improve my house, culturally my grandchildren cannot sleep together with their parents who are still active, this offers them humble room to study and sleep without effects of harsh leaking house like the one I just moved out of. The remaining of this cash transfer I will donate to son to help him pay fees to my grandchildren.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually in the evening after we have had meals, my grandchildren always tend to compare our old days with theirs and some of the things they say makes me laugh, I also take this time to teach them our culture.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship have been lack of money to build a descent house, this has seen me suffer bouts of pheumonia due to cold weather that I endured in my leaking house, over the last three months I got admitted twice and the doctors said I was suffering from exposure to cold weather.