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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Monica's Profile
Monica's family
Monica
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
19
workCampaign
UBI
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
25500 KES ($249 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
check
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I was more dependent on my parents for anything from buying personal effects and buying clothes and it has been this way since time memorial. When I got the chance to do things my own way, I could not be happier as GiveDirectly gave met the best gift I could ever think of. I can now afford to buy my own clothes to look decent as I bought some using the transfer. I hold my certificate in my hand now thanks to Give Directly for enabling me to clear my school fees arrears. My family can now get enough food for consumption as I also help contribute towards the day-to-day provision.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have a new goal of saving towards paying my rent when I join college.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I am now more independent as I was able to pay my school fee arrears and I now have my certificate. When I cleared my secondary education, I never thought i would look forward to joining a college as my parents could not be able to raise money to pay for my college fees.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to buy bedding i.e bed, mattress and bedsheets and a few household items like utensils and water storage tanks that I will use when I join college later this year. I also wish to pay rent with the amount of money I have been saving in my bank account when I finally join college.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
25500 KES ($253 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being that I come from a humble family, my parents could not be able to buy me decent clothes as there are many of us in our family. As a teenager, it affected me a lot especially when we had to attend important functions where I would see myself as the worst dressed. When I received the transfer, I used part of it to purchase new clothes which has really boosted my self-confidence. I am now more eager to go to places I never wanted to visit before because I feel that I will fit in with the rest of my agemates.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My only goal right now is to join college as soon as possible so that I don't waste away in this village.I know my family will not be able to pay for it but we have already started organizing for a fundraiser to assist us in raising some little money that will facilitate my joining then the rest will be taken care of by the government. I hope that in the next six months,I will be in college chasing my dream.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Due to the huge debt that I had in my former high school, I could not access my K.C.S.E Certificated because it was held until I cleared the balance. It was such a huge amount that I know my family would not be able to clear any time soon due to the huge burden my father has against the little income he gets. Without GD, I am sure I would not be in possession of my certificate by now and I am so grateful to GD for such a kind act.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
After using most of my first transfer to clear the fee balance I had in my former high school and accessing my K.C.S.E certificate which was held, my next plan is going to college. I will use part of my next transfer to organise a fundraiser and the rest of it to buy some of the requirements, either personal or school-related.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of school fees which has affected my school performance. I have always been sent home for school fees and when am absent, I miss some lessons which has affected my performance.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning because it's a time when I feel fresh, and able to achieve maximum concentration in my morning studies.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on settling my outstanding secondary school fees, and spend the remaining on paying my college school fees.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is scoring a c+ in my first term's form four examinations. This excellent score has motivated me to work even harder with a goal to obtain even better results in my final KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) examination.