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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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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Veronica's Profile
Veronica's family
Veronica
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
24
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($300 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My foremost aspiration is to work diligently to raise the necessary funds to send my children to school all the way to university. I never had the opportunity to pursue my own career, and I am deeply committed to ensuring that my children have the educational opportunities I didn't. Education is the key to a brighter future, and I believe it opens doors to countless possibilities. I'm willing to make sacrifices and put in the effort to provide them with the best educational opportunities I can afford, as it's a long-held dream that my children will achieve their full potential and fulfill their career aspirations.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has truly excelled in the way they deliver support. I appreciate the fact that we received the money directly into my M-Pesa account. This direct approach not only ensured the funds reached us swiftly and efficiently but also allowed us to have control over how to allocate the money to address our specific needs. GiveDirectly's commitment to this direct and straightforward approach is commendable, as it empowers individuals like me to make immediate, impactful decisions to improve our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In my polygamous marriage, being the second wife, I've always had to think strategically about securing a better future for my two young children. This recent unconditional cash transfer presented a unique opportunity, and I decided to invest in assets that would not only support my family but also act as a form of security. I used $330 to purchase seven goats, and I firmly believe that this investment will pay off. Goats have a knack for increasing in number at a surprisingly high rate, and they will undoubtedly become a valuable source of income. These goats will help me cover the ever-increasing school fees for my children and address any unexpected financial needs that might arise. Moreover, the goats serve a dual purpose, as they also act as a security measure for our home, which lacked protection previously. My husband and I rely heavily on farming activities for our livelihood, but the unpredictability of the weather in our dry region makes it a less lucrative venture. With the remaining amount from the cash transfer, I made a practical choice by purchasing enough food to sustain our family of four for a couple of weeks. This may seem simple, but it means that we no longer have to go to bed with empty stomachs, as we often did before. The combination of these investments not only brings me peace of mind but also a glimmer of hope for a more stable and prosperous future for my family.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($314 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal for the upcoming years and beyond is to grow and extend my goat farming business by increasing the number of goats I have. This choice is based on observations I've made of my neighbors, especially those who raise goats and take advantage of busy times like December to sell their livestock. These people are succeeding in giving their families the finest possible lives. This realization has motivated me to work on expanding my own goat-farming business to enhance the future of my family as well.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion,GD is truly commendable for upholding its commitment to provide us with timely transfers, a practice I have rarely encountered in any other organization. However, I would like to express my hope that GD might consider extending its support by offering an additional transfer. The current economic challenges, driven by inflation, are impacting us significantly, and an extra transfer would be immensely beneficial during these tough times.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I allocated a substantial portion of the transfer to venture into goat farming, a promising opportunity within our village. With $265, I invested in purchasing five goats, a decision I believe will yield fruitful returns over time as they multiply and become a future source of income through sales. This decision holds great promise and optimism. Moreover, I took a proactive step to ensure my family's well-being. Utilizing $135, I procured essential food supplies to sustain my family of four. This measure aims to shield them from the pangs of hunger, especially since I am currently without a stable source of income. I used to make money by working on my neighbour's farm. Sadly, this route was blocked when his crops died from a lack of rain, leaving me jobless. Furthermore, a portion of the remaining amount was used to fulfil a commitment I had made. I settled a food debt at a nearby shop, a pledge I was determined to honor as soon as I received the transfer. This act not only eased my financial obligations but also reinforced my sense of responsibility and integrity.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($143 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was busy working on my farm when I received two consecutive incoming texts. I started to wonder who may have texted me at that time. I also entertained the possibility that they were promotional messages in my head. Nevertheless, I made the decision to read them, and much to my amazement, there was a Mpesa message confirming GiveDirectly's receipt of the cash. My heart was overjoyed, so I made the decision to return home, unwind, and prepare to go and cash out the following day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Getting meals had been such a hassle before GiveDirectly arrived for registration. We were accustomed to only eating one meal a day, such as tea in the morning, before waiting for the next. I bought 90kg of maize and other grocery items with the transfer. With this, three meals a day are now assured to us. Since it has improved our children's health, I consider this to be the biggest improvement in my everyday life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I don't have a kitchen, I've been cooking meals for my family in an open area. I'm happy that the transfer enabled me to buy five iron sheets for KES 5,500, which I intend to utilize to build a functional kitchen. I also spent KES 10,000 on food items to feed us for a few days. Since we rely on subsistence farming, procuring food has been a real hassle because of the ongoing drought. In addition to this, I also purchased a table for KES 1500, a sufuria for KES 650, and a frying pan for KES 770.
 
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I desire to live in a spacious house and receiving this money will help me achieve it. We live in a single-roomed house with my husband and three children. This results in a lack of privacy and I cannot host visitors in my house. I plan on building a two-bedroom house using the first and second transfers. I am happy as my children will have enough space to study at the same time my dream would have come to pass. To ensure we secure our future income we shall use the last transfer to purchase livestock to add to the few we have. I am grateful to Givedirectly as my life will change for the better.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Life is not guaranteed since one day one is well and the next day they may be be ill. I am thankful to God for the gift of good health for my family. Waking up each day to fend for them is what I love most and being in good health enables me to look forward to enjoying more life and happiness with them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the greatest challenge in this area due to drought. For the past three years, we have not harvested any food staff from our farms due to inconsistent rainfall. My husband and I rely on casual jobs to earn a living, and because of the inconsistency in income, it is hard enough to afford three meals a day but only two. Food prices have relatively gone up recently and with the rising cost of living, we use all our hard-earned money to buy food for our family of five.