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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Cynthia's Profile
Cynthia's family
Cynthia
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
House construction
faceAge:
26
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53200 KES ($482 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have managed to accomplish so much that I never thought that I would have achieved in a short period, for instance, I bought a dairy cow that to save up on the cost of milk, though the first cow that I bought died, I never gave up on the journey of owning one. I then managed to pay school fees, which meant that my children could comfortably study without any fear or worries of been sent home. I am so grateful for the support that I was given.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has lifted the. Lives of the need in society, I am grateful for the unconditional cash that we were given. So far I have not seen anything that is done wrongly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a food vendor in a nearby shopping centre, When I received the first transfer I bought a dairy cow but unfortunately it died, I was so sad and stressed, though I never gave up, I then decided to buy a dairy cow worth KES 15,000 so that I could save on the cost of buying milk daily. I then used KES 10,000 in paying for the school fees arrears for my children. I am so happy that I was able to accomplish so much within a short period.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($508 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember it was around 9 am when I heard a ringtone message from my phone. When I checked it I couldn't believe my eyes. If was money from GiveDirectly that we had been waiting for. I felt so overwhelmed with joy. I immediately inform my family members and the all celebrated with me. We immediately plan on how to spent it. Happy 9.am happy a dairy cow..
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have cleared the outstanding debts that I had with a solar panels company. I used to struggle so much to provide for my children and at the same time pay the installment. I depend on small causal jobs in the village and sometimes to get this jobs is so hard. When I received the second transfer I felt so happy because I knew I would pay this debt. Currently I no longer get stress up, my children are so happy because they have lights to used in studying, I also have lights to used on my daily activities during the night. GiveDirectly has changed our living standard and we are so grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on purchasing a dairy cow. unfortunately the cow died after two weeks. I also paid for the solar panels that I had bought on hire purchase. The rest of the money I bought food for the family.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Milk plays a vital role in the development and growth of my children. For the past 6 years, I have spent used to much money buying this precious commodity to feed my family, especially my children. I part with about $10.5 every month for a litre of milk I consume every day. Receiving this money is a new Dawn. I am planning to spend $400 from my first transfer to buy a dairy cow. My expectation is to get milk for consumption as well as sell its surplus to get money to educate my two school going children. I cannot wait to own the first cow in my life, thanks to GiveDirectly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I live close to a local health center. Every Thursday is a clinic day for children and expectant mothers. This day involves waking up early in the morning to make tea and pancakes that I sell to them around 10.00 am. Making money out of this once-a-week business makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a semi arid area, rain hardly falls making our farms to dry up and crops to wither away. For a jobless woman like me, I have to fully depend on my husband who occasionally would get house construction jobs in Bomet town, one and a half hours away from here. Over relying on him takes away my esteem and dignity as it reduces me to nothing less than a beggar. Life would be better if I had a productive farm to cultivate.