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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Pola's Profile
Pola's family
Pola
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
61
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($386 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My current primary goal is to build a house once I get some money. I created this aim after realizing that termites had destroyed the poles of my house, indicating that the structure would not last long enough to accommodate me. I want to do this assignment before the year is through using some savings from my occasional work.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does a decent job of guaranteeing beneficiary equity in the areas in which it works. By giving all potential recipients equal chances, it also combats prejudice. Its initiative offers assistance to every community member. Participants in the program report a considerable increase in their quality of life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I sat down after receiving the second transfer to determine how to allocate money according to priority metrics. After giving it some thought, I decided to allocate a larger portion of the funds toward my daughter's college expenses, who had gotten a calling letter following the completion of her form four exams. So I spent $300 to make sure she joins and fits in properly. I spent another $100 on two goats as a potential investment after that. Since I rely on charcoal burning, which is insufficient to meet the family's demands, I utilized the remaining money to purchase some food for my household.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($433 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had an odd anxiety when I woke up on that fateful day. My phone was at the charging station because it did not have power. When I queried my neighbors about the ululations I had heard, they informed me that they had just received their first transfer from GiveDirectly. I went to get my phone from the charging station, and when I turned it on, a text message informed me that I had also received my transfer. I leaped about in ecstasy, my heart bursting with happiness. I was joined by my daughter for the celebrations. We all had bright smiles on our faces and were grinning from ear to ear.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest impact the money has had on my life is that I was able to pay off a sizable debt owed by my daughter for unpaid school fees. I used to spend my sleepless nights worrying about how to make the most money and pay off this enormous debt, but now that I have the transfers, I am relieved and filled with the peace of mind knowing that my daughter will learn uninterrupted. I am thankful for the chance to rest and improve my health because after receiving the transfers, I took a break from the difficult and time-consuming task of selling charcoal. This allowed me to temporarily regain my energy before going back to my regular job.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a significant portion of my initial transfer, of $400, on paying my daughter's college tuition. I had previously struggled with selling charcoal, which pays very little, and I couldn't pay all of my daughter's bills. This was a huge relief for me. My daughter's uninterrupted education is something I am very happy about. I also feel more at ease now that I don't have to worry about paying my daughter's tuition. In addition, I spent $50 on a goat that will serve as a future investment. I'll have something to fall back on in an emergency and can use the money to take care of my issues. I then bought food for my family and myself with the remaining $10,000. We had enough food for my family to eat, so I took a break from the arduous task of selling charcoal. I am appreciative of the money because it changed my life at a time when I was having trouble supporting my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My daughter's education! I have always wished to support my daughter who intends to join the nursing school after having completed her secondary school exam successfully in March 2022. This has not been possible because I do not have the money to facilitate her studies. With this money, I plan to spend a big portion ($700) to ensure I help her to start the journey of her career. This will give me happiness as a mother since I will have done my duty. The remaining amount will help me to buy 5 goats at $200 to expand my livestock project and the balance to cater to other basic needs like food. Thus, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the many challenges that I am going through in life including the mental instability of my son, I am still so grateful and keeping faith in God that one day, everything will return to normalcy. The fact that I have the energy to do some charcoal work while my husband takes care of the ailing son, I can get some cash that can support us on food. Seeing my family getting its very basic needs is something that I do not take for granted and I consider this as what has brought me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
It has been 5 years now since my son's mental stability got challenged and he is now surviving on drugs. This condition has pissed me off because I no longer enjoy the benefits he used to bring home when he was well and stable at work. Due to this problem, his wife decided to separate, leaving me with the burden of taking care of him, a situation that has consumed a lot of my time. In addition, my husband has been concentrating on him and this has compelled me to be the only breadwinner for the family of 4 through casual jobs like charcoal burning. Since my financial status is at stake, my daughter has yet to join college because I do not have money to support her. What a life!