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 > Caroline's Profile
Caroline's family
Caroline
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
38
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($496 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 is that I was able to clear school fees for my child and he was able to sit for the final exams. Were it not for these transfers, I would live a stressful life as parent not being able to pay school fees on time and my child would not have completed schooling. I thank GiveDirectly for making this happen to me.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by giving us money which was enough to change our lives. One hundred and ten thousand Kenya shilings is enough to make a difference in someone's life. I believe that there was nothing which wasn't done well in that we never noticed and malpractice in the whole process.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
One of my children was a finalist student at a Technical college and I had a huge amount of school fees arrears. I then spent KES 40000 of my second transfers on paying the arrears and clearing school fees for the final term. I then paid KES 10000 for his rent and the remaining KES3000 for his pocket money. I made this sacrifice knowing that it's better to invest in brain than purchasing materials stuff.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 2pm that beautiful afternoon when I heard a message alert on my phone.On checking it, it was the GiveDirectly tranfser I had eagerly waited for. I relayed the good news to my kids who were very happy because there dreams of school completion had come true.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is happiness because my kids are now in school. There is no more stress like before when my kid's used to be sent home due fees arrears and I used to rely on bursaries and casual labor to pay school fees and feed my family. The transfers have also made it possible for me to buy adequate food and now I sleep peacefully. Initially, we used to sometimes to sleep hungry when I couldn't get casual labor. Right now, I have good plans because initially they had nearly hid the rock bottom for the past eight years. I am also grateful because through the transfers I bought the latest clothing fashion which I couldn't afford before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my KES 45000 transfer on payment of school fees for my kids in University and college because education is a long term investment . I also spent KES 5000 on my kid's school uniforms because we couldn't afford. I also spent KES 5000 on two sacks of maize because last year it was a long dry spell in our place.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a house that was left by my parents when they moved to another town. I have four brothers who will all inherit my parent's land in equal measures. Being a lady, our tradition is that I do not have a right to be left with any inheritance. Receiving this money means that I will be able to buy a quarter an acre piece of land outside my place that goes for 800USD. I will then construct a decent house and live on it with my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After I am done with the usual household chores in the morning, I go out and look for any casual job in the village or nearby market center. My happiest part of the day is in the evening when I get paid for the casual task that I have done. This is because the supper needs of my family is sorted.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I got separated from my husband about 20 years ago and left me with three kids to raise. I decided to go back to my parents for help in taking care of these kids. Luck was on my side when they decided to move to another town and left me the house they used to occupy. My four siblings who are male have been ordering me to move out and look for some other place to live. This is so because they want their share of land and according to our tradition, ladies are not supposed to be given any share of their parent's inheritance. This ongoing gesture by my siblings has been the biggest hardship I have ever faced in life.