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.
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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Furaha's Profile
Furaha's family
Furaha
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
53
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($384 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?
I have been living in a small house that serves as a kitchen as well. My wish is to build a spacious, decent house that can fit my four children and me. I feel it's high time we needed privacy, considering that all my children are now adults. Also, the smoke has been affecting our lungs for quite some time. Therefore, in the next four months, I am hoping to start this project. We all deserve good housing.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
So far, there is nothing that I have observed that GiveDirectly does not do well in my entire region. The organization has done a good job of ensuring that I received the cash timely. On top of that, I was granted the freedom to choose what works better for me using the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
One of my daughters, Salama, recently joined college to pursue a beauty therapy course. I was stuck; I had been asked to clear the arrears before the end of the semester. I was stressed and frustrated since I had no idea where I would get the needed cash. I normally rely on hand-to-mouth jobs like working on people's farms for $2 a day. This wasn't enough even to buy a packet of maize flour; we have therefore been going without meals most of the time. It all started when my spouse passed away ten years ago and left behind six children. Out of whom four are still under my care while the other two got married, Therefore, after receiving the cash, I paid the fees and bought stationery. Upon finishing that, I cleared a debt of $300 to settle with a friend after purchasing a piece of land on credit some months ago. I feel relieved and have peace of mind at long last. Also, having ownership of the land makes me proud and ambitious, considering that the current one is no longer productive. I spent the remaining amount on food that lasted almost a month.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($440 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At around 4 o'clock in the afternoon, we were wrapping up a parent-teacher meeting when I got a message on my phone. I was illiterate and was unable to understand the message until my aide checked when I got home. He checked and found that I had really gotten the promised sum from GiveDirectly. I was grateful for the assistance because I was struggling financially in certain areas and needed it. I immediately saw my ambition of having a crop farm come true.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest factor that changed my life was my gratitude for the help I got from GiveDirectly. I can attest to the transfer by being able to witness the realization of my wish. I was able to purchase a one-acre plot of land just for growing crops. With the meager income I used to receive from my shaky charcoal business, I would not have been able to do it any time soon.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I wanted to own a plot of land as a casual worker to engage in both commercial and subsistence farming. I was unable to make ends meet because of my meager income, which came primarily from burning charcoal. When GiveDirectly transferred the money to me, I spent $500 for a one-acre plot of property. I'm delighted and satisfied that my wish came true. The land may only be used for cultivation as a last resort. I have faith that my crop growing strategy will enable me to provide for the essential necessities of my family. The remainder was also utilized to buy food for my family..
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of four members with two children schooling. I am a casual laborer earning $30 per month. This caters to food and it is not enough. The family takes one meal per day and sometimes goes without food. My children have gone weak and as a mother, I feel bad. My daughter who is at college has a sponsorship from the Compassion organization though I am required to buy the tailoring materials which are worth $150. The boy in class seven has a balance of $20 and he is supposed to pay school fees of $300 next year. The fees will go high because all class eight students will be required to be in boarding. I will use $ 500 to clear the school fees so that my children can have a good time at school and improve their performance. I will also use $500 to buy a one-acre piece of land for agriculture. I am currently living on 0.5 pieces of land which is not enough for farming. It is only a place for residential houses.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My boy who is at Vitengeni primary used to perform poorly in the previous years. He is now in class seven. This term, he got 350 marks on the end-of-term exams. Even though he always remains home due to fees problems he managed to perform well. I felt so happy to have such a bright boy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband died three years ago which forced me to take on all the family responsibilities. I am a casual laborer earning approximately $30 per month. This only caters to food and it is even not enough. I have two children who are schooling at primary and college respectively. The one in college is sponsored by a compassion organization. The family takes one meal per day. This has made my children to grow very week. Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing.