GDLive Newsfeed
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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Emily's Profile
Emily's family
Emily
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
37
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($465 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Paying the debt of KES 30,000 balance for the land that I bought from a friend is the new goal that I did not have before receiving the transfer. This was one of my concerns because I had paid some amount and I wished to pay all the money. I am so happy because I have owned the land fully and planted Napier grass for the cow that I bought using the first transfer.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The pieces of training and the registration process were done well without any discrimination. This enabled all the eligible people to receive the transfer. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 to clear the debt that was pending from the land that I bought some time back. I had always wished to own the land fully but I was needed to pay the balance first. I am so grateful now because I have paid all the balances and now I own the land fully. I was able to plow my and plant Napier grass for my cow. I spent KES 10,000 on school fees for my son who is in secondary school. He was able to study well without being sent home. During the time that he was being sent home, it was affecting his performance. I am so happy because this has given me peace of mind to conduct other activities at home. I bought one sack of maize and rice for my family. The rest of the money I spent on household items which we were lacking. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I realized that I had received funds from GiveDirectly a few past 6 am after I woke up. I became so happy and immediately informed my children who were getting ready to go to school. This was my first time to ever own such an amount of money and as a way of celebrating the financial breakthrough in our lives, we sang some hymns and prayed to thank God for His blessings.
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 been able to have additional livestock in my homestead. I had started buying milk but I am glad that this is no longer the case. In addition, I have been able to plant nappier grass that we will use in feeding our livestock and this will lead to an increase in milk production. This would not have been possible had GiveDirectly decided on what to do for us instead of giving us unconditional cash and I will forever remain grateful to them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought a heifer worth KES 25000 and used KES 5000 to plant nappier grass that we will use in feeding it after receiving my first transfer. We settled on this as a family so that we will be having milk supply throughout the year as I am planning to alternate its lactating period with that of the one that we already had. In addition, I spent KES 10000 to clear fee arrears for my son in secondary school so that he would not be sent back home. I am a farmer with four children, two are in the primary level while the other two are in the secondary level. I had cleared paying school fees for the one who is in a day school and the one in boarding school was remaining hence why I decided to pay for him alone. Using the remaining KES 14000 I bought some foodstuffs, home clothes, and a sky plast to use in harvesting rainwater.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better education for my children. I have two cows who produce Four liters of milk per day. I sell two of them to generate income. A liter is sold at KES 30. This income is not sufficient to pay for my children s education and to increase my source of income when I get this money I will use it in plowing and planting Napier grass. My cows can produce more milk but due to insufficient food, their yield has reduced. Our area is prone to drought and finding their feeds is a challenge. I need like KES 10000 to accomplish it and the remaining amount I will pay for my children's school fees
What is the happiest part of your day?
My firstborn daughter passed well in her final exams and was admitted to University to partake a course on Food and Catering. This brought joy and happiness into my life as I know her future will not be the same when she graduates and get a job.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is financial constraints. Since our area is prone to drought it is difficult to get a stable source of income. My husband is a teacher but his salary goes to paying school fees. I am a mere farmer but drought has affected our source of income like feeds for cows and food crops which we used to depend on to generate income has withered due to insufficient rainfall.