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 > Emily's Profile
Emily's family
Emily
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
58
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($524 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different in that I have been able to build a new house, I have a cow and I have paid most of the school fees for my two sons. I am optimistic that my children shall complete their education soon and be able to improve their own lives as well.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did so well in giving unconditional cash to everyone without practicing any form of discrimination whatsoever. The money has changed my life to a great extent by allowing me pay school fees for my children in time and building a bigger house for my family. I feel so proud of these achievements that have occurred to me within a very short period of time.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used part of my second transfer to buy a cow, food and clothes. I used the remaining amount to pay school fees for my two sons who were in various schools. I feel empowered that I have been able to do all this within a very short time and which has changed my life a lot.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($531 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that I am now happier because some of my worries are already solved. The ownership of a decent house is a great step in my life. The transfers too helped us to enrol my son to a technical institute.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I got the message that I have received transfers from Give Directly, I was filled with happiness to an extent that I lost sleep. I couldn't wait for dawn to celebrate this my fellow villagers who I also knew they had also received.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent the money I received from Give Directly to construct a new house. The one I currently live in is a thatched house which is not only indecent but also very squeezed for my entire family. Constructing a more decent house could not be possible because I have children both in secondary schools and colleges and so we commit all our income to their school fees. My new house is almost complete and can't wait to live in it. I also spent part of the last transfer to pay school fees for my son in a technical institute
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I receive this money,I want to buy one more cow to add to the one I have.Since I spend most of the time around my farm,I believe dairy farming is good for me.This is a good source of income that I can manage myself.I also have a plan of building a house since this one is too small.It has only one room and it is grass thatched.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Since I am a casual labourer,I wake up and go to work on people's farm.This is as early as 6:00am in the morning since I have to be back on time to prepare lunch for the children.I spend most of the afternoon looking after my cow.This is the happiest part of my day because it is valuable to me.I own it and it provides milk for consumption and even for sale.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have nine children and it has been very hard educating them.My last born is in primary school standard seven.We depend mainly on casual labour.We have a small piece of land which cannot sustain the family needs because we do very little agriculture.My husband is a casual labourer in a tea plantation in the neighbouring county while I also work on people's farm around the village as a casual labourer.This does not give us enough to meet the family's needs especially paying school fees.My first four children did not study past primary school due to lack of school fees.This has been my biggest hardship because every parent wants the best for the children,education being the key.