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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Mwenda's Profile
Mwenda's family
Mwenda
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
44
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I don't have any new goal for now but I'm happy I was able to fulfill the ones that I had.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I like how you follow up after sending the transfer to see whether the cash had impact to the society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When my husband passed away, I didn't know life would be this tough raising our five children alone, I didn't know we'll get to a point of us not having a house and sleeping in our neighborhood, I didn't know it will get to a point my children will walk around with torn clothes. Taking up the hardest task like charcoal burning to make end meet has not been an easy journey but this is the bravest step I took in my life to save my children. After my muddy house crumbled at it's weakest point, I thought I would build another house sooner but this was just a nightmare because the KES 2000 income that I earn monthly wouldn't manage to pay all the bills, cater for my medication since my blood pressure went up, and save towards building. My grandmother's house had become home no matter how uncomfortable it was because of the small space.Being enrolled in the program seemed miraculous, my hopes were restored, I knew I will have somewhere to call home. I spend KES 55000 of my first transfer to build a two rooms house and spend KES 13000 of my second transfer to do finishing and now I'm happy I have a home. I also spent KES 6500 to clear fees arrears and the balance is what I have been using for my medication, buying my children clothing and providing food. I don't know how I would express my gratitude but I'm so grateful for the support.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I got the money because I did not have it and did not know where I was going to get that amount. I am now able to fulfill the promises I had made to myself which included building a better house for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference I can see in my life is the ability GiveDirectly gave me to address the issues and challenges that I was not able to address in the past. I am now able to build a house and when the intensity of this current drought decreases I will be able to get goats that will further increase my ability to address the challenges that I will face in the future. I am so happy and grateful, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I only spent a part of the transfer on building a better house for my family because the one we have been living in previously was in a very poor condition and could barely shield us from extreme weather conditions, especially when it rains although rarely and the scorching sun during the day. I bought iron sheets at a cost of KES16000 for the house, however, I have not undertaken the other projects because I want to buy some goats but I am still monitoring the climate situation because there is extreme drought right now and it is extremely expensive and risky to keep livestock since there is no grass.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a proper and spacious house to my family. Currently, I am living in a small house that is leaking during rainy seasons. I am planning to spend my entire transfer to construct a 2 bedroom house so that we can live in a decent house. I will further use KES 30000 of my second transfer to buy 10 goats which will act as a long-term investment project to the household. I will use the remaining amount of my second transfer to buy one indegious dairy cow for milk consumption.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of my day. This is because it is during this time when I can rest after a busy day of my charcoal work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have ever faced is financial instability. I am a charcoal vendor, a very tiresome and time-consuming job yet its income is very little such that it cannot fully support all household needs. We occasionally skipped meals and borrow from relatives something that ashames me.