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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 > Christine's Profile
Christine's family
Christine
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Shopkeeper
faceAge:
54
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($316 USD)
access_time 2 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
This year and in the years to come, my biggest dream is to ensure that my children can stay in school without any breaks. It's been a constant worry for me, not being able to provide for their education in the past. But now, thanks to GiveDirectly, I'm seeing this dream turn into a reality. With the support I received from GiveDirectly's previous transfers, I was able to open a small kiosk. It might not seem like much to some, but to me, it's a beacon of hope. It's a place where I can sell goods and earn a steady income to support my family. Seeing my children continue their education uninterrupted fills me with immense joy. Education is the key to a better future for them, and I'm determined to make sure they have every opportunity to succeed. As I stand in my kiosk, serving customers and managing my business, I feel a sense of pride and gratitude. GiveDirectly has helped me turn my dreams into reality, and I'm forever thankful for their support. With hard work and determination, I know I can provide for my family and give my children the bright future they deserve.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Thanks to GiveDirectly, things are looking up for my family. With their support, my children are now able to attend school, and I've been able to start and run my own business. It's been a journey filled with challenges, but we're making progress. One thing that still weighs heavily on my mind is the water problem we face. Without a reliable source of water, it's difficult to produce enough on our farms to sustain us throughout the year. We often find ourselves struggling to irrigate our crops, especially during dry seasons, which affects our harvest and ultimately our livelihood. I believe that if GiveDirectly continues to support us, we could address this water problem effectively. With access to clean and reliable water, we could increase our agricultural output, ensuring that we have enough food to feed our family and even surplus to sell at the market. Imagine the difference it would make if we didn't have to worry about water scarcity anymore. We could invest more time and effort into our farms, knowing that our hard work will pay off with bountiful harvests. I'm grateful for all that GiveDirectly has done for us, but I hope they'll consider extending their support to help us tackle this crucial issue. With their help, we can overcome this obstacle and build a better future for our family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, my life changed for the better. With seven children and grandchildren to care for, making ends meet was always a struggle. First, I allocated $200 to pay school fees for three of my kids who are in school. It was heartbreaking to see them stay home because we couldn't afford their education. Now, thanks to GiveDirectly, they're back in school and learning alongside their peers. Next, I used $120 to buy three goats. These goats represent hope for the future. I plan to take good care of them, and when they multiply, I'll sell some to meet our daily needs. It's a small investment with big potential. Finally, I spent $130 on food to address the constant struggle of putting meals on the table. With this assistance, I can breathe a little easier knowing my family won't go hungry. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I'm filled with gratitude and hope. Their support has made a real difference in our lives, giving us a brighter future to look forward to.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($295 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My objective is to enhance the scope of my business by acquiring a generator to amplify farm productivity. I plan to finance this expansion through a combination of savings generated from my business, the forthcoming third transfer, and a loan obtained through the merry-go-round initiative. This initiative not only aligns with my personal aspirations for business growth but also contributes to the economic empowerment of my community.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization demonstrated exceptional proficiency in communicating its messages and providing financial guidance. From the initial enrollment to the concluding stages, their execution was seamless. We received consistent and respectful treatment throughout the entire process. The organization consistently provided outstanding services, prioritizing our well-being. As of now, we haven't identified any areas that need improvement on their part.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, I strategically invested the funds in fencing my land to safeguard it from goat intrusion, with the intention of boosting productivity. The allocated amount for this purpose was $305. Concurrently, I utilized a portion of the funds to enhance the stock in my business where I used $145. I am married and a parent to five children. While I manage a shop at the shopping center, my husband is actively involved in farming. This deliberate allocation of funds is designed to fortify our agricultural endeavors and contribute to the long-term sustainability of our business, thereby benefiting the overall well-being of our family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($140 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt lots of excitement upon receiving a notification message from GiveDirectly. While I was attending to customers in my shop at the shopping center, I received a confirmation message for the first transfer. Although I could not share my excitement with them at that moment, I later informed my spouse and children when I returned home that evening. They were already aware that fellow villagers had also received support. Although we could not collect the money on the same day, we organized our plans and successfully collected it as intended when we were set to spend it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
While the initial transfer was the smallest of the anticipated three, its impact was substantial, as I managed to accomplish a great deal with it. Notably, allocating a larger sum to my two children's school fees and addressing the issues they had encountered with frequent disruptions and dismissals from school made the biggest difference in my daily life. Additionally, I acquired fencing materials, which I am yet to utilize to construct a protective perimeter around my farm, aiming to improve agricultural productivity by preventing animal intrusions. I am genuinely appreciative of the assistance and eagerly anticipate achieving even more with the forthcoming transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The initial transfer brought about considerable excitement, not just for me, but for my entire household. We had specific plans in mind for the money and felt a tremendous sense of relief, as we had been grappling with various financial challenges in the past. Our priorities included securing the education of my two children, two in secondary school and one in college. Allocating their school fees or ensuring future payments was paramount. Therefore, I utilized $100 to cover the school fees for the two secondary school students, given the higher urgency to sustain their stay in school, while we're planning to address the college student's fees with the upcoming transfer. Another essential task was preparing our riverside land for the upcoming planting season. However, ongoing issues with crop destruction by both wild and domestic animals, facilitated by open fences, have been a persistent concern. To counter this, we invested $90 in purchasing three chainlinks to construct a perimeter fence. This strategic decision will enhance crop security and, subsequently, our harvest. Additionally, the remaining part of the transfer were dedicated to household necessities, including foodstuffs and toiletries, many of which are still serving our family of seven to this day.
 
Enrolled
access_time 10 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
We have quite a myriad of challenges that we would wish to surmount but our inadequacy in finances has almost made it impossible to achieve most of them. We are almost accustomed to the life of looking for food every day since food insecurity is something that we have grappled with for long, there is no easy day about it, but if you ask me, the mother of all our problems is raising school fees. It is an uphill task that gives us sleepless nights. We spend all our energies and we stretch ourselves beyond our limits to look for fees. The news about GiveDirectly's transfers was so elevating. Never had we imagined in our lives that we could get support. God works in a way beyond our understanding. We are confident more than ever that the issue of school fees will be sorted out because we intend to use all the transfers to settle the school fees and even pay ahead. The stability we will get enables will enable us to fend for ourselves and prepare adequately for the future needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
We have 3 children who are studying in various institutions, one of them in college while two are in Secondary school. We have been working around the clock to see to it that they get the best education by paying their fees on time. It has never been easy because we are people of little means, however, in March we were able to sell 2 cows for $300 which we used to pay school fees for this term. We got a huge reprieve and a relatively stress-free time as they have not been sending home for fees unlike in the past. It gives us joy in giving our children humble time to study undisturbed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity has been a major problem that we are faced with. We have had 3 consecutive failed season that has predisposed us to untold suffering. We had planted food crops from the onset of the rains in March and the crops grew up to the second weeding stage but the rain failed again and the crops wilted and dried resulting in massive losses. We were disappointed and broken. Our hope was dimmed. Our livestock was not spared, they became so emaciated and could fetch little price from their sale. Every day we buy food, mark you the cost of living has risen to an unprecedented high and it is a real struggle to put food on the table. We have been forced to survive on less desirable food just to keep going.