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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 > Magdaline's Profile
Magdaline's family
Magdaline
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
41
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($312 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With my eldest child just starting secondary school, I have a continued commitment to ensuring quality education for my children who are still in school. My primary focus in the coming years and beyond remains centered on providing them with the best possible education. I am determined to pay their fees punctually to prevent any interruptions in their studies. I am confident that the income from my ongoing farming activities will support me in achieving this goal.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has made a positive impact by providing substantial transfers that allow us to undertake significant projects with the potential for good rewards, such as farming, business ventures, and livestock rearing. The transfers have significantly elevated our living standards as a village, transforming our lives for the better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The timing of the third transfer was incredibly fortunate, as it coincided with a pressing need. My daughter was sent home from school due to unpaid fees, and I was struggling financially. Promptly, I withdrew $196 from the transfer to settle her fees the following day, relieving the burden. Recognizing that this marked the final transfer, I allocated $182 to purchase food, ensuring a sufficient supply for my four children given the uncertainty of my irregular casual work that only yields around $3 per day, if available. Additionally, I invested $70 in acquiring fertilizers for my one-acre maize crop, aiming to enhance its yield significantly. I anticipate a successful harvest that will serve both our domestic needs and potentially contribute to our income through commercial sales.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($322 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Since I am the breadwinner after my spouse abandoned us, my plan is to either do repair for my house or if I get enough money to build a new house. The frames have been attacked by wood boring beetle it is weak. I also want to ensure that my children's education is not affected in any way by ensuring that I promptly pay their school fees.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What I love is that after enrolment and receiving the transfer, there is a serious follow-up being done to ensure the safety of the transfers and deal with any issue. Everything, in my opinion, was done well, but my only wish is that the transfer would continue to help lift our standard up.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent approximately $24 for my three children who are in school, the eldest being in high school. This was a huge relieve for me as I used to fullh depend on proceeds from farm produce in order to the school fees as currently I am the breadwinner in my home.I also bought a battery to help.store energy from the solar panel which helps for lighting at home. I divided the rest of the transfer to buy food, pay for tilling of land, and buy some.shoee for my children
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($134 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can vividly recall the moment I received my transfer from GiveDirectly. I was working on the farm, sweating under the scorching sun, when my phone rang. Upon checking it, I discovered that the money had been deposited into my account, and I was filled with happiness. The joy of receiving the transfer was so immense that I momentarily forgot my exhaustion. I was thrilled at the prospect of being able to pursue my dreams and began strategizing how to best use the funds.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have peace of mind because a heavy burden was lifted off my back. The financial aid enabled me to promptly settle my son's school fees, which greatly impacted our expenses since we no longer face the burden of searching for funds. Additionally, we now have an ample supply of food in the house, unlike before when we had to struggle to make ends meet. I express my utmost gratitude for the support, which has significantly enhanced our standard of living.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the transfer was a turning point for me as it provided an opportunity to improve my family's standard of living and gave me hope for a better future. My husband works as a police officer in the city, but unfortunately, he chose to neglect our four children and me. His lack of support made life unbearable, and I had to work extra hard to provide for my children by farming and working on other people's farms. The timely support was a Godsend as my son had been sent home to collect school fees, and I used $100 to clear the arrears. I also spent $55 on buying manure and used the remaining funds on foodstuffs. The support made things seamless for us, and I am deeply grateful for it.
 
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I owe different schools where my children study a total of 510 dollars in tuition fees. I plan to use the transfers to complete this amount. I also intend to purchase 1 bag of maize and 1/2 a bag of beans at 100 dollars. This will ensure that we have plenty of food for months. For the remaining amount, I plan to purchase 10 goats @300 dollars each. This will assist me in paying school fees for my children in the future. I'm glad that the transfers have come and when I get them I'm sure my life will change positively.
What is the happiest part of your day?
At the beginning of this year, I was able to save some money and I hired an irrigation farm at $10 dollars. I have planted maize on this farm which I expect to use for food and also sell. This has greatly delighted me because I know that we shall have food and money for basic needs and also school fees. I wake up every morning to go and irrigate the plants which brings me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Since May 2021, my husband who works as a policeman has not come home and this has left me as the sole provider for the family. Because of this, we are faced with the challenge of lack of food since I depend on occasional casual work to provide for my family. School fees have become a challenge also since my children who are in secondary school have fee balance summing up to $510 dollars. It saddens me so much whenever my children are chased from school because of a lack of tuition fees.