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 > Dama's Profile
Dama's family
Dama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
43
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($420 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In a few months to come, I am hoping to invest more in livestock( cows and goats). I believe they will not only be of help when settling any financial challenge in my household but also, they will empower me to take all my children to school. This has been the major challenge that I am facing and I believe once I will be able to have a good number of them, my children will no longer stay at home due to the arrears as before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by sending unconditional cash transfers to our Mpesa accounts directly. This was the best idea ever because we never experience bribery or theft cases as a result. From the previous experience we had with them previous organisations I felt this was the safest. I therefore can't mention anything that they need to rectify, all went well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent around $300 of my second transfer on paying fees for my daughter who is in her final year in secondary school. Being my first child to graduate from high school, it still feels like a miracle to me. This is because, she has been studying with so many distractions since I couldn't afford to pay the fee at once, considering I relied on odd jobs and I had some other basic needs to fulfil for my other children. I am therefore praying to God to guide her through and excel for the sake of her tomorrow. Also, I bought a dairy cow and four goats that I am keeping in my compound. I am convinced that soon I will have many of them and achieve my other goals. To add that, in case I experience any financial hiccup I will be in a position to sell some and settle the matter. With the remaining amount of money bought food for my family and other household commodities.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($511 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was relaxing in my house after completing my morning job of charcoal preparation. It was around 9 o'clock when got message notification in my phone. I felt very happy after recognizing it was the transfer I had expected to receive.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now have proper shelter and live a happy life with my family. Previously, the house that I had was leaking and I would spent whole night awake due to the condition roof. Through the transfer, I will no longer spend a lot of money repairing my house every year because I was able to construct an iron roofed house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the transfer to construct a two-roomed house for my family. Previously, the house that we had was very small, grass-thatched and leaks during rain season. We have been depending on charcoal selling for livelihood and the income from this activity was not enough to support our basic needs like food,education for the children and to construct a better shelter for the family. I also, used $150 to educate my 3 children, one is in secondary school and others are in primary. In addition, I bought sufficient foodstuffs with remaining amount .
 
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a descent house for my family and proper education for my children. I'm planning to use 450 dollars to construct a two bedroom house for my family. This will guarantee my family a secure place to live and sleep at night. The roof will also protect my family especially during the rainy season. I'll further use 200 dollars to pay my children's school fees so that they can have enough study time in school. I'll use the balance to buy food and clothes for my family and this will give me the peace of mind I have always desired.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is the morning. Waking up in the morning alive and healthy makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of a proper house for my family. I have been living under a leaking grass-thatched house for many years and this has posed a great challenge to my family especially during the rainy seasons.