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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 > Faith's Profile
Faith's family
Faith
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
23
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference in my life ever since Give Directly came into my life is that I was able to improve my living standards. I managed to build a better home which was built on higher ground. The new location is safer since no amount of rainfall will cause the floor to wet. I will never have sleepless nights during winter. The house will also last longer and will require less attention compared to my previous one.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did so well by using their own officials instead of the traditionally used channels such as local authorities. Their strategy was perfectly done since there are no complaints as the process was seen as fair and free of any influence. This should be emulated by other NGOs that may wish to do projects in our community.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on buying building materials with the intention of building a new house. I am left with a few shillings that I am planning to use in purchasing roofing sheets. I need to build a timber walled house because it will last longer than the one that I currently live in. The house is living in at the moment is mud-walled and located next to a swamp hence making the floor wet especially during rainy seasons. I have now chosen a nice location where I won't face this challenge anymore.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the cows that I have bought. I was relying on milk from home to feed my young children and I thought it would be wise for me to have a cow of my own. Having bought two dairy cows means that the living standards of my family shall rise and the extra money that would otherwise have been used to buy milk shall be channeled into other meaningful family investments. We are so grateful for the timely assistance that GiveDirectly gave us.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. I shared the good news with my husband early that morning and he was equally happy. From the moment I read that message, I could hardly have a wink since I was extremely happy.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used KES 44000 to buy two cows out of my first transfer. I chose to buy two dairy cows since for a long time, I was relying on milk supplied to us by our parents. I felt I should have one of our own so that we could ease them the burden of having to supply us with milk while they could have sold and earn themselves some extra income that would improve their living standards. I also used part of the remaining amount to buy building materials as I am planning to have a store that would be used to keep cows feeds. This is an investment that I am sure shall change the living standards of my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
This money will enable me to buy a cow.We have one (a heifer) at the moment.Since our children are young,they still require milk in their diet and we have been getting this from my in-laws house.Most of the time this is not sufficient enough.Having our own dairy cow will also provide a source of income through the sale of milk.I plan to spend sh 35000 in buying it and what remains from my first transfer,I will buy building materials for a store to keep animal feeds.With my second transfer,my spouse and I plan to build another house for our growing family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The work of a farmer is never ending.There is always this and that to be done in the farm i.e weeding,planting,harvesting or tilling bare land in preparation for planting.Doing all these all through the day under the scorching sun wears me out but at the same time I keep going because alot depends on this.In the evening,I do my personal cleaning and spend time with my children.Having this moment to rest and give a little attention to my children makes evening the happiest part of my day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a farmer,my only source of income is farming.In my small piece of land,I mostly plant maize ,sorghum and beans.This is both to provide us food as well as ,when there is a surplus, sell in order to meet all other needs of my family.Over the past few years,the rains have been quite unreliable hence there have been poor harvests.There has also been a crop disease that destroyed maize plants.This has really affected us in the sense that there is hardly any food to eat let alone for sale.As a result,we have sometimes had to forego some meals in a day.With young children around,this is often very tough.This is the biggest hardship I have faced