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 > Milka's Profile
Milka's family
Milka
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
24
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I recently joined college using the transfer from GiveDirely. I believe that my father will support me in paying for my school fees while I use the money from the poultry project that I had started to meet my basic needs. My long-term goal is to start a business once I am through with my studies. This will keep me busy and it will enable me to meet my basic needs while searching for a white color job.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I have seen GiveDirectly transform the lives of people in my village. Those who did not have good houses have been able to build more spacious and decent ones while the children who were constantly in and out of school have been able to concentrate on their studies after their school fees had been paid. To me, this organization did well in changing our lives in different ways and I do not see anything that it did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I never knew that I would join college one day due to a lack of school fees and I am glad that I am currently in school. This was possible since I was able to spend KES 35000 from my recent transfer to pay my college fee and to purchase some items that were needed. Also, I spent 5000 on my medication since I was unwell and saved the remaining KES 12000 in my bank account. I am planning to use it in paying for my house rent and on food.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was doing some morning chores at home when I saw a Mpesa notification message from GiveDirectly. I became so excited because I knew that I would be able to go back to school and pursue my dream course using this money. I called my mother to share the good news with her and she was also in high spirits as she had received hers too.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have always had a dream of going back to school and pursue a Health-related course as I was not able to proceed to college after completing my secondary school education studies. Finances have been my major challenge as I have had no one to support me. When I received my transfer, I purchased a dairy cow and two goats and I am planning to spend my second transfer to pay for my school fees as I have already received an admission letter. With the assets that I was able to purchase, I am optimistic that I will be able to complete my studies without many struggles. I will be using money from the sale of milk to pay for my house rent while in school and sometimes sell one of the goats after they have increased in number. I am glad and thankful to God and GiveDirectly for enabling me to start a journey towards my success.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I normally depend on any available casual jobs to sustain my family and with this, I have not been able to achieve my dream of becoming a graduate due to the lack of finances. When I received my transfer, I spent KES 36000 to buy a dairy cow and two goats. These are assets that I will rely on to pay for my house rent while at school as I am planning to join college early next year after using my next transfer to pay school fees. After joining, I will apply for a student loan so that I can be using it to pay for my fees on time. Also, I spent KES 6000 on clothes and food for my family gave out KES 3000 in church as a tithe, spent KES 3000 on my medication saved KES 6000 that I am planning to use in case of an emergency.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wanted to pursue a course in Health Patient Attendance but due to lack of finances I have not had an opportunity. I successfully completed my secondary education and could not proceed with my education. Receiving this money is a big boost for me because I will use my transfers to pay for my school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I get time to rest. On an average day, i normally do casual labor in a nearby farm and during the day we have a lot of work to do. In the evening, I get time to rest and bond with my son after a days work and this gives me the greatest joy
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of finances is my biggest worry at the moment. I have been ailing from ulcers since 2015 and I have never received proper medication. I have been relying on traditional medicine to help relieve my pain on the onset of the ulcer attacks.