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 > Dama's Profile
Dama's family
Dama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
46
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($485 USD)
access_time over 2 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 different than it would have been if I never received my transfer in that I am living a better and happy life. Through the transfer, I was able to construct a spacious one-roomed house for the family, previously I was living in a small house which was not enough to accommodate both my properties. In addition, I was able to start a business that is earning me an income of KES 500 per that can cater to our basic needs. Previously, I was doing casual labor of charcoal burning which is very tiresome and low-paying. I was earning the utmost KES 150 per day from this activity which resulted in a struggle to provide food for the family and in some instances could sleep without eating.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well in coming up with unconditional cash transfer which has transformed my life for the better. Currently, my grandchildren are learning without any interruption due to school fees. Also, I now have a better source of income after starting a business with my transfer, I can now comfortably meets our daily needs without struggling. I do not see anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 18,000 to purchase one local cow dairy so that I may have enough milk supply for the family. Currently, I am required to purchase milk every day for my grandchildren for KES 50. With the daily cow I will be able to sell the extra milk to the neighbors at KES 50 per litre to earn an income. In addition, I am planning to sell the male offspring once they reproduce to educate my 2 grandchildren. Furthermore, I invested KES 20,000 on starting a small charcoal vending and dry fish business. This is a reliable source of income for the family. Currently, I am earning a profit of KES 500 per day which is enough to cater to the daily basic needs likes food. Previously, I was doing casual labor of charcoal burning which is very tiresome and low-paying. Moreover, I purchase proper beddings for KES 9,000 this is because I was using sleeping on the floor with old mats as bedding which was not comfortable. I was constantly feeling backache after waking up, something that affected my days performance negatively. I also, use the remaining amount to educate my 2 grandchildren whom were left under my care by my daughter opted to return home after facing an abusive relationship in the first marriage. She later decided to remarry living me with the two grandchildren to take care.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($510 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was busy in the bush preparing charcoal for sale at around 11 am when I realized that I had received my transfer. I was overwhelmed with joy after acknowledging that I have received my transfer. This was an opportunity that I had waited to transform my life for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My biggest difference is that I will be able to construct and decent shelter for my family after acquiring the construction materials. Moreover, I was able to start a dry fish business which is my reliable source income that earn me an average income of 2 dollars per day. This has replaced my charcoal vending activities which was tiresome and time consuming.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to purchase building poles, 18 iron sheet and save some for labour costs. This was for the construction of a specious house for my family. The one that I had was very small and it was serves as the kitchen at the same time. I was very ashamed whenever I received guests because I used to sleep on the floor. Moreover, I bought school uniforms, books, paid school fees for my 2 grandchildren who are in primary school. The remaining amount I started a small business of vending dry fish around my village.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire once I receive this money is to see myself living in a decent house that is of a good standard. As of now, I constructed a small house that looks like a toilet from far and this does not give me happiness since I always feel ashamed even to welcome my visitors. I, therefore, intend to spend a big portion ($400) of the first transfer to construct a 2 roomed spacious house with a smooth finishing. The remaining amount of the first transfer will cater to beddings' expenses. With my second transfer, I intend to use $100 to start vending vegetables within the villages and this will guarantee me a profit to sustain my household's basic needs like food. On the other hand, I will also use the remaining amount $400 to buy 2 indigenous dairy cows that will produce milk to sell and for my family to use. This will have a positive change on my livelihood, a life that I have wished for a long time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
With my casual type of jobs which require me to be in the bush most in the morning and afternoon hours doing charcoal burning, I never get ample time to rest. It is only in the evening when I come back home to relax and get my meal that re-energizes me most for the next day's work. Therefore, the evening becomes the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I separated from my husband 19 years ago and life has never been easy for me. I have been doing casual jobs of different kinds just to get money to sustain the very basic needs of my family mostly the food. This means the other basic needs like good housing and better education for my children have not been my priority and this has resulted in early marriage to my daughter who dropped from standard 7. Therefore, the financial instability due to lack of a reliable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.