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
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Lucy's Profile
Lucy's family
Lucy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Lucy's next check-in.
 
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On the morning I received the transfer, my children had been sent out of school to pick up pending school fees. So I gave them KES 2800 to settle the balances. I was happy that the money came during a needy moment because the children resumed studies and eventually sat for their end-term examinations peacefully. I spent the remaining amount, KES 200, on food.
 
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to congested 2021 academic calender, I experienced a lot of struggle in paying school fees for my three children in primary school. As a result, I prioritized spending my most rescent transfer worth KES 2500 to pay school fees for my two daughters and my son whose fees were pending. I am currently offloaded from school fee burden thus I am a happy parent.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly is doing a great job by trying to elevate us from poverty especially because they let us decide and prioritise on what is most important by not putting measures on what we should do with the money but rather focus on what means or is the important to us as individuals.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Just two days before receiving the money three of my children had been sent back home due to pending arrears in the tuition fee so when I received the money I paid KES 2500 where KES 1,000 I paid the ones who were in higher classes then the last one I paid KES 500 since her school fee balance was less compared to the rest of her siblings. The rest of the money which was KES 500, I bought maize flour worth KES 400 and what was left I bought sardines because at the time we were experiencing some scarcity in putting food on the table.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My phone was off and charging at the time the text message was sent. A friend of mine came by my house and told me about her receiving cash from GiveDirectly. I went ahead and checked my phone and confirmed that I too had received the cash. I was very happy to find out that.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The difference the money has made is that my children are still in school. I also paid the loan that I owed. So I am now at peace and can now think straight about how to lift myself in my life. I am also looking forward to investing the other funds so that I can live a good life and not drown in poverty.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KSH 900 in paying school fees for my kids who were in school and were about to be sent home. KSH 300 was used to pay off a debt that I had. I previously was facing challenges and did not have food and I remember we had spent 2 days without eating anything and I did not have any money at that time. My children were in a bad state due to hunger and the only option I had at that time was to ask for a loan and with the money, I used to buy food for my kids so that they could eat.
 
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My priority is to pay school fees for my eight children (with my firstborn being in form two). Secondly, am living in a family land that is not spacious for crop cultivation. The GiveDirectly cash will allow me to have my piece of land. For every four months, will save 7000KES for shamba and 5000KES for my secondary schoolboy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I normally stay alone during the day. Seeing my children around in the evening is what makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My greatest challenge is being married to an unsupportive husband. I have been selling palm wine to support every need in my family of eight children. I save in table banking so as can take short-term loans to pay fees but the struggle to repay has always resulted in frustrations.