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 > Betty's Profile
Betty's family
Betty
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Teaching
faceAge:
36
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($372 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am excited and hopeful about the possibility of getting fully employed by the county. Being employed will not only provide me with a stable income but also open up new opportunities for growth and personal development. With the prospect of a stable income, I plan to expand my poultry business. Currently, I have a few poultry, but with financial stability, I can invest more in the business and increase the number of birds. This expansion will not only enhance my income but also create employment opportunities for others in the community. Poultry keeping is a viable business that can provide a steady source of income and contribute to the local economy. As I grow the business, I will focus on improving the living conditions and health of the birds to ensure high-quality products.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
With the help of transfers from GiveDirectly, I was finally able to fulfill my dream of building a kitchen for my family. One of the biggest struggles I faced was managing food expenses, especially during difficult times when money was tight. But with the financial support from GiveDirectly, this burden has been significantly eased. Now, I can provide my family with sufficient meals, bringing joy and relief to all of us. What's more, the impact of GiveDirectly's support extends beyond my household. Many people in our community wisely invested their transfers in purchasing water tanks. This decision has brought immense relief to all of us as we no longer have to go through the exhausting hustle of fetching water for domestic use. Moreover, having access to clean water has improved our health, eliminating the constant worry about the water's cleanliness. This entire journey has been nothing short of life-changing for me and my community. I am filled with gratitude, knowing that we can face the future with renewed optimism and a brighter outlook on life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
GiveDiretly transfers came in the right time because as an ECD (Early Childhood Development) teacher with limited income, I faced the challenge of having a kitchen made of mud, which was both cumbersome and costly to repair every time it got damaged. With a budget of $230, I decided to invest in a more durable and sustainable solution. I decided to construct a simple yet sturdy kitchen using locally available materials like bricks and metal sheets. By doing so, I ensured that the kitchen would withstand the test of time and reduce the frequent need for repairs. The new kitchen provides a safer and more efficient space for cooking, making it easier to prepare meals for my family without worry. Out of the transfers, I also managed to allocate $300 for school fees to support my two children attending high school. Education is very important, and I am determined to give my children the opportunity to learn and succeed in life.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($443 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember being at home relaxing because school was closed for the long holiday. My phone abruptly began to ring. When I checked to see what it meant, I discovered that I had received money from GiveDirectly. Words alone cannot express the immense joy I felt. I am grateful for the help that has brought so much joy into our lives.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money from GiveDirectly was an extremely helpful in our lives. This is because I was able to pay our children's school fees. The most significant difference is that we are all relieved that our children can now confidently report to school once the session has begun. I am so grateful for the help that has brought so much joy into our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I both work as teachers, though I work in a nursery school. We have five children together. Upon receiving our initial transfer, my husband and I decided to spend $300 on school fees for our children in preparation for the start of the school year. This was previously not possible due to other family obligations. In addition, I spent $100 on clothing and the remainder on groceries. I will be eternally grateful for the help that relieved us of the burden of high school fees.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
The transfers will primarily help us to offset loans amounting to $700 that we have taken to educate our children. We will use the remaining $300 also to pay for next year. This will have assisted us with school fees for one of our children. We have 3 sons 1 of them is in college and the other 2 are in high school. We do not want a situation where any one of them gets to drop out of school because we understand the importance of education in the modern world.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My last-born daughter had experienced unstable health conditions for a long time but she recently got stable and resumed her studies. This gave me a lot of happiness and joy because I had feared for his life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The changes in climatic conditions have impacted on us so much. The weather patterns changed drastically and it was initially something not serious to us only to realize later that it rendered farming untenable. We are now struggling with school fees amounting to $2000 annually and all this money looks up to my $120 salary monthly. I, therefore have to take loans to put up with these expenses and soon the creditors might deny me for taking more than what I can pay. It is already a burden to me and might take 10 years to finish repayments.