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
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Salama's Profile
Salama's family
Salama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($400 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before my enrollment in the program, I was living in a pathetic condition. I never had a house and relied on charcoal burning to support my children. Since I got enrolled in the program, I felt that I would get financial relief hence taking my children to school would be easy. I, therefore, developed a dream of building a house to save me from the shame of always spending in the neighborhood. I am glad that I have accomplished one goal of building a house. I have also begun a business from my transfers, and from it, I shall be raising fees for my children hence their schooling will not be a struggle.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in terms of giving cash transferes to the less fortunate in society. We are not coerced on how to spend it but rather have the freedom to sit down and prioritize our needs. As a community, we have experienced a tremendous positive change in our lifestyle from when we first received the initial transfer. I have been able to build a house, which I never had at first. It has restored my dignity because I do not have to sleep in the neighborhood with all my children. So far, I do not see anything new that GiveDirectly ought to do to improve its operations.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I did not have a place to live, and I could spend in Mama Halima's house. I could not build a house since I am a single mother and I live alone after my husband, and I separated about ten years ago. Life has been hard, but I hoped things would change one day. I spent $230 on 24 iron sheets and $80 on round poles for a dwelling. I am delighted that I am building a two-roomed house with one room dedicated to my two children and the other to myself. I am thrilled that things are looking up right now. In addition, I spent $60 on school fees for my two school-going children. They were always at home because I could pay their school fee on time. They would occasionally be at home, which caused them to underperform.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($444 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At first, I did not know that I received the transfers until an officer from Givedirectly visited our home to follow up about first aid. It was around noon when the helper confirmed my account balance and saw the cash. Happiness filled my heart after receiving the money in the account. This was the beginning of a better life since I had proper plans in place on how to spend the transfer wisely.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning a shelter will be the biggest difference once I complete the construction. With the money in my account, I am positive that we will be able to rebuild and move to our own home. Achieving this dream will restore the joy that we had lost for more than two years.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For more than two years, we have been seeking shelter with my 2 children from our neighbors after our house collapsed. Since then, I have not been able to rebuild a new one due to the poverty condition in my family. I am a single parent of 2 depending on temporary low-paying casual jobs to raise the family. The arrival of Givedirectly in our village revived the ambition of owning a better shelter. I am planning to spend a larger part of the recent transfer to construct a decent two-roomed,mud-walled, irony-roofed house for the family. This will restore the privacy and happiness that I have been missing. In addition, I am planning to use $100 to support the education of my two 12 years old kids who are still in primary school. At the moment, they have a huge fee balance. Lastly, I will utilize the remaining amount to start livestock rearing a future investment for children's education.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Business expansion is what this money means to me. I sell buns at a nearby school and would like to add nuts and fried potatoes to them. The market for nuts and fried potatoes has so much potential and I desire to tap into it. A stock of $50 will help expand it for a start as the rest of the money sustains me for some months. Once my business is up and running, I will focus on building a house with two rooms. My house was destroyed in the previous rainy season and I had to seek shelter from a neighbor. She has been so generous to house me for the past year and I think it is time I built my own house and not extend my stay. I am eager to start construction and live in my own house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Money makes me happy, every day I leave my house for work and I manage to sell all the buns I prepare is fulfilling. In a day I earn $3.5 making it possible for me to buy food and stock for the following day. Knowing that I have a source of income gives meaning to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My two children are about to sit for their end year examination and I am yet to pay their school fees. My son who is in grade 5 keeps reminding me of the same and I wish I could pay as soon as possible. I am working under pressure to be able to settle the arrears. I would not want to disappoint them, education means a lot to us.