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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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Completed
Newsfeed > Priscilla's Profile
Priscilla's family
Priscilla
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Teaching
faceAge:
59
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($372 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Investing $400 in building a spacious chicken house and adding 10 more chickens to my poultry farm has been a game-changer. The previous coop was too small, leading to overcrowding and the rapid spread of diseases among the chickens. The spacious and well-ventilated environment ensures that my chickens are not only comfortable but also less prone to illnesses. This has translated into a steady supply of 30 eggs per day and this daily income has significantly improved our financial situation at home, allowing us to meet our daily needs with greater ease. Additionally, the spacious environment and proper care mean that even when the chickens reproduce, they remain healthy, reducing mortality rates. Regular vaccinations have also contributed to their well-being. To ensure the safety and security of my poultry, I invested $70 in purchasing barbed wire. This enhances security and also provides sturdy support for the chainlink, ensuring the safety of my chickens. This investment not only safeguards my current poultry but also sets the stage for future expansion, allowing me to increase my flock and income. Furthermore, I allocated $80 for food. Previously, we faced challenges in putting food on the table due to crop diseases affecting our farm's produce. Thanks to GiveDirectly's support, we no longer worry about going hungry, and we can focus on our various income-generating activities, including our successful poultry farming venture.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has truly opened up new horizons for me and my family, especially in terms of financial stability. One of the dreams I had but couldn't pursue due to financial constraints was starting a chicken farming venture. Now, with the support of GiveDirectly, I have the means to turn that dream into a reality, and I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity. Rearing chickens is not just a business venture for me; it's a long-held aspiration that I've nurtured over the years. I see it as a pathway to financial independence and a means to secure my family's future. With the funds I've received, I was able to build a spacious and secure chicken house to provide a comfortable environment for my feathered friends. Looking ahead, my goal is to further grow this chicken farming enterprise. I plan to invest in more chickens, improve their feed, and implement best practices for poultry management. By doing so, I hope to meet the needs of my family and also generate surplus eggs for sale, thereby boosting our income. The support from GiveDirectly has not only empowered me financially but has also instilled in me a sense of responsibility and determination to make the most of this opportunity.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Running my business is a responsibility I take very seriously. It's not just a source of income; it's my livelihood, and I'm determined to make it thrive. I've put in a lot of hard work and dedication to ensure its success, and I have big plans for its future. One of my major goals is to expand the business further. I believe that by scaling up my operations, I can increase my profits and financial stability. This growth will also bring more employment opportunities to the community, which is something I'm passionate about. I want to contribute to the economic development of my area and create jobs for others. Additionally, my business aspirations extend to the point where I can save up enough funds to purchase a dairy cow. Having a dairy cow would be a significant asset for my family. Not only would it provide us with a steady supply of milk for our consumption, but it would also open up opportunities for us to sell surplus milk and generate additional income. To achieve these goals, I plan to continue managing my business diligently, exploring new strategies, and staying informed about market trends. With a lot of humility, I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to make all these possible within the shortest time, and will uphold this newfound status going forward.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $300 to buy building materials for construction of a poultry house and used the remaining amount to buy food and other basic household needs for my family. I had so many plans in my mind that required money as a form of capital and which I could not raise enough money to do all of them and when I received this cash, I made a decision to buy building materials that will help me put up a poultry house. I am a mother of four children who still looks up to me to meet their needs and this business will help me in meeting their needs and those of my entire family. Once I receive the second transfer, I will be able to buy chicken for keeping as well as meet other needs of my family. I am very grateful to GiveDirectly for the support that we were given.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I still have a lot that I am yet to accomplish. I am however very grateful that one of the projects that has always been on my mind is finally going to be fully implemwnted. Getting enough money to start a poultry project is one of my greatest achievement and change after receiving GiveDirectly funds. This project shall make me and my family more independent financially.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. It had never really sank in my mind that I could receive that amount of money from GiveDirectly. I was actually travelling that day when one of my neighbours called and told me that she had received her transfer. After disconnecting, I checked my Mpesa balance and found out that I had been sent the money too. I went home very happy and shared the good news with my family. I felt very happy that I was finally going to be able to start a poultry keeping business- a project that had stayed in my mind for quite sometime.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been struggling so much all along to make a living because by training I am a teacher but I was not lucky to get employment with the government. I am also a single mother of 3 daughters who are all grownups by now but it was not easy to take them to school because $1000 yearly was needed as school fees. We parted ways with their father 20 years ago due to infidelity and he never bothered to lend an helping hand so I then sold part of the land I had to help me educate them. The remaining parcel is equivalent to 0.01 acres and it is too small. I sometimes wish we could keep livestock but it is not possible due to the limited space. If I had some poultry and dairy cows I wouldn't struggle anymore to sustain the needs of the family. I get to earn $30 every month by offering tuition services to my neighbors' children but if I could supplement my income with livestock keeping, I would comfortably earn at least $200 monthly which is more than enough for us.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My last-born daughter Clare completed her studies in August this year and I was so happy because this marked an end to payment of school fees which has been financially draining.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I would like to spend this money on buying a 0.02-acre piece of land and also buy a dairy cow and building a big poultry house that can keep at least 100 egg-laying chickens. This will supplement my income which is currently at $30 monthly and ensure that all the needs of the family are met. We are hopeful that for the first time we shall have some savings as a family and later on purchase a bigger piece of land and expand our farming activities.