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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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Mapenzi's Profile
Mapenzi's family
Mapenzi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
24
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($348 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It has always been my ambition to buy a bed and mattress since I have always admired those who sleep on them since my childhood. I consequently spent $135 on a bed and mattress after receiving the money. I'm thrilled to have experienced such a comfortable and restful night's sleep—I never realized it was possible. In addition, I invested $800 on a goat and 13 chicken for rearing, which I hope will multiply and allow me to sell them in the future. I used $30 of the transfer to make a door for my house. The absence of a door in my house has been a security risk for us. I have spent and continue to spend the remaining funds to cover my mother-in-law's medical costs. She has been ill for a while, and her sons are unable to pay for her specialized food and medical expenses
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Everything is ideal in its current state. I don't see why you should change anything or add anything at all.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am optimistic that my chicken and goat that I bought and currently rearing will multiply so that I can sell them and utilize the money to venture into new farming. In Lamu, where I own a shamba, I've observed a growing interest in sesame cultivation among the locals, where some of them have confirmed that growing sesame is beneficial from the profits it makes from selling them . In order to support my family, I consequently wish to go into sesame cultivation..
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($377 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Our home had become inadequate for our needs, leaving us vulnerable to health issues and the intrusion of crawling animals. To rectify this, we invested $300 to build a new home. This endeavor provided a safer and more comfortable living space and protection from potential health problems. Another aspect of our lives that these transfers addressed was education. We were able to clear school fees arrears, secure the tuition fees for the upcoming term, and purchase a school uniform for our child with $50. These relieved us of the burden of school-related debts and ensured that our child's education continued uninterrupted. The transfers also enabled us to settle a debt from a chama amounting to $50. This debt had been incurred when we borrowed money to invest in farming our land, with hopes of generating income along the way. Unfortunately, circumstances didn't align with our plans, leaving us in a financial bind. GiveDirectly's support proved crucial in helping us clear this debt. Additionally, we managed to save $150 from the transfers. This savings serve as a valuable resource as we are thinking to explore opportunities to invest in livestock. In sum, the transfers from GiveDrectly have provided us with immediate relief from pressing financial burdens and have empowered us to make long-term investments in our future.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My long-held dream of having a better home has finally become a reality, thanks to the transfers from GiveDirectly. For a while, I patiently waited, hoping that my husband's financial situation would improve so that we could provide a comfortable dwelling for our family. The wait was marked by challenges and compromises, but I clung to the belief that someday things would get better. Now, with our improved living conditions, I can't help but feel a deep sense of fulfillment and contentment. The new home represents more than just bricks and mortar; it symbolizes the realization of my aspirations and the creation of a safe and comfortable haven for our family. But the impact of the transfers doesn't stop there. It has ignited a spark of hope and ambition within me. In the past, the state of our finances made it difficult to consider starting a small business. However, with the support provided by GiveDirectly, my hope in the possibility of entrepreneurship has been rekindled. I am grateful for the changes these transfers have brought into our lives. They have improved our immediate living conditions and given us the confidence and optimism to pursue our dreams and aspirations.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The day the transfers from GiveDirectly arrived was a momentous occasion in our lives. I was at home alone, as my husband had gone to his regular job around 3 pm. When I received the notification of the transfers, I was overwhelmed with happiness. It was a feeling I had never experienced before, a profound sense of relief and hope. As the evening rolled in and my husband returned home, I eagerly shared the momentous news with him. His joy mirrored mine, and together, we basked in the newfound hope and possibilities that these transfers brought into our lives. Our most pressing challenge had been our living conditions. Our home was small, constructed from mud and had a grass-thatched roof. Over time, the grass had deteriorated, causing leaks every time it rained. These compromised our comfort and also raised health concerns. The transfers arrived at a time when addressing this issue was crucial for the well-being of our family. The prospect of finally being able to improve our living conditions filled us with a sense of gratitude and optimism. It was a step toward a safer and more comfortable home, shielding us from the elements and potential health hazards. These was more than just an upgrade to our physical surroundings; it was a significant enhancement of our quality of life.
 
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Housing is the challenge I am currently facing. The family lives in a house with grass roof and it leaks during rain season. No sleeping during rain season and sometimes the family is affected by wind.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My family has had food challenges alongside the housing problem I mentioned earlier. My husband does casual jobs earning approximately $20 per month and sometimes he spends a month without any job. I depend on subsistence farming. We received rain on April 2023 after three years. I planted maize crops on my two acre piece of land and the harvest is ready now. This makes me happy since the family has food and the husband is working on other needs.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of four members and we live in a house that has a grass roof and it leaks during rain season. My husband does casual jobs earning approximately $20 per month which caters for food only. I do subsistence farming. My house has been a problem and I lack the capacity to buy iron sheets and change the roof. I will use $500 to change my house from grass to iron sheets roof. My mother-in-law Iives under a tree and she is affected by the winds. I will also build her one room house worthy $400 so that she can live in a good house.