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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 > Fatuam's Profile
Fatuam's family
Fatuam
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
20
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($517 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before I was enrolled to the GiveDirectly program, I had one cow only. When I received this financial help, I acquired two heifers, a pair of oxen and goats. I am now doing my farming with my own pair of oxen. I no longer hire the services of ploughing from neighbours like I used to do. Also, its now possible to fully cultivate my whole acreage to better harvest. I am expecting the goats and heifers and goats to multiply and have a herd. These are assets that I can readily depend on in case of a financial problem.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done extremely well in enrolling the needy households, for the purpose of eradicating poverty on our area. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly doesn't do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
My second transfer has enabled me to buy two heifers and a pair of oxen at KES 50000. I resolved to buy these livestock because with the heifers, I will rear them and I am expecting that as they reproduce and multiply, then I will have a herd. I know that in case of any financial challenge, then selling the offspring will sort me out. The pair of oxen will greatly aid me in doing my farming. I used to hire from neighbours during the planting season. Since I now have my own pair,I will no longer be incurring any costs, instead I will hire them at a fee. I spent the remaining portion to do some household shopping on foodstuffs for my family and paying for some other household expenses.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I managed to buy a battery for my solar. I had been charging people's phone to earn a living but for over a year, this became a standstill because the battery was not in good condition. Now that I had bought a new one for my solar panel, I can earn a few coins from charging other peoples phones. My home is also well lit compared to the past year.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer, I felt very happy. My phone had gone off. When my husband turned it on after some time, a message came through at around 6 am. He was the one who broke the good news to me. I remember we celebrated with joy and could not make any sound decision at that moment. It was later after we had digested the good news that we started to think about how best to use the money. It was such a happy moment that I will never forget.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on purchasing two bulls that I plan to use on ploughing my land. I am also thinking of hiring them and ploughing other people's land so as to earn some money. Part of the money was spent on buying a new battery for my solar panel which has not been working for over a year now. I also bought a large quantity of water in our nearby town called Bamba. Lack of money made me walk for a long distance in search of water. This was always tiresome and I could only manage to fetch two jerrycans after wasting a whole day going to and from the water point. I am glad that I can use my time well to do other household chores. I finally used the remaining amount to buy food that would last us for a while.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I was once enrolled in a dressmaking college but I stopped due to lack of enough funds. It has always been my desire to complete the course and open a tailoring shop. GiveDirectly transfer will make me achieve my dream as I will go back to college and also purchase all the equipments necessary for starting the shop. Besides, I will also open a general shop store in my village since there is no other shop around. I see this as an opportunity to save extra income that I will use to provide basic needs for my family such as school fees, medical and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am mostly busy in the morning doing farm work and household duties. These activities consume much of time and sometimes I have to forego my breakfast. However, in the afternoon when the duties have scaled down I get time to take lunch with my family something which makes me very happy. This is because I get to bond with them as we discuss matters pertaining to our family. Therefore, afternoon is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband earns an average income of 500 shillings in a day. This is not enough to sustain the family as he is the sole breadwinner in a family ten. In this regard, it is quite difficult to provide all the necessities in the family especially food and school fees. Sometimes it is impossible to respond to medical emergencies. Therefore, I can say financial constraint is my biggest hardship.