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.
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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Jeniffer's Profile
Jeniffer's family
Jeniffer
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
75
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Jeniffer's next check-in.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($308 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year, I have some aspirations I hope to accomplish. I am determined to open a retail shop, a dream I have held close to my heart for quite some time. It is a chance to provide for my family and secure a better future. Additionally, I dream of constructing a new house; my current single-roomed house is simply too cramped, especially with my beloved grandchildren around. Expanding and improving our living space will not only provide them with a comfortable home but also create cherished memories.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The support we have received from GiveDirectly has been truly helpful. It has made a significant difference in our lives, ensuring that my family and I have consistently had enough food on our table through the cash transfers we have received. This stability has relieved so much of our previous worries. However, I hope that GiveDirectly can extend this same support to other villages as well. Imagine how many more families could experience this happiness and security if the program expanded. It would truly be a wonderful thing to see everyone in need benefit from such unconditional support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the second transfer right after collecting to purchase essential food supplies, such as 50kg of maize for $35 and 10kg of beans for $40 to ensure my family of three has enough to eat. I also bought two goats and two sheep for $140, adding to the three I already had, with the intention of using their offspring to pay for my grandson's school fees. I contributed $50 towards my daughter's medical bills, and I allocated $30 each for my spouse's and my lastborn son's upkeep. Household consumables, including toiletries, cost me $20. I set aside $27 for new clothes for my grandson and myself, while also saving $20 for any unexpected emergencies. Finally, I ensured my grandson's education by paying $50 for his secondary school fees.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($129 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember my neighbour visiting my home and inquiring whether I had also received funds from GiveDirectly. Caught up in my farm work, I hadn't checked my phone for some time, so I promptly did so. To my delight, I discovered a Mpesa message indicating that I had indeed received money from GiveDirectly. It was the most uplifting news I had received in quite some time. Knowing that I could now prepare my land during the planting season filled me with immense gratitude. I recognized this as a tremendous blessing and felt truly thankful for the support I had received.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the relief my husband and I feel now that we have been able to cultivate our land, a task that was once out of reach due to financial limitations. Additionally, I have successfully gathered enough food to sustain our family for an extended period, ensuring that my children have enough to eat. I am filled with immense happiness and gratitude for the significant achievements we have attained.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As a farmer, my husband and I rely on our land for sustenance. Our children have all become independent, and I now live with my grandchild. When I received my transfer, I made the decision to allocate $120 towards our farming activities. Since our daily needs depend on farming, it seemed wise to invest in it. In the past, raising significant amounts of money at once had been challenging due to the hardships we face in our area. With the remaining funds, I purchased essential food items. My husband is filled with joy that we were able to cultivate our land within a short period of time. I will forever cherish the support that not only increased our income but also granted us financial freedom.
 
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Food has been scarce here. I need to first buy foodstuff for us. I plan to spend $100. That will sustain us for the next 3 months. It means we won't have to worry about food for some time. The house I currently live in is not in a good state. It rains from inside and it's very cold at night. I need a better house. Plan to build a 2-roomed house using $400. I will henceforth have a decent house. It will make me happy. The rest of the transfer money will be saved. This will give us security. We'll use the amount to sustain ourselves for the coming weeks or months. I also have a grandchild in primary school, and that amount will also help us support his education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It's hard living here. When I get a casual job it means I will have a meal for a day or two. It brings joy to me getting a casual job.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The drought has been extreme. For the last 6 years, I haven't grown on our land and harvested. We mainly depend on casual jobs which are difficult to come during dry seasons. When lucky, you get paid $2 a day. Since items are very expensive, that can hardly sustain us for two days. This has made our lives hard. Putting food on the table is quite difficult.