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 > Wilson's Profile
Wilson's family
Wilson
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
63
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($436 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?
Our main source of income is crop farming. I intend to lease out land and plant more maize. This will ensure that our family of seven will no longer experience food shortages. We will also sell surplus maize to earn some money for the family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I was touched with how GiveDirectly's staff served us during enrollment stages, their good customer service skills is commendable. Everybody was given equal chance to be enrolled irrespective of the position they hold in the village. It was unfortunate that some people in my village had no experience of holding large money like what GiveDirectly gave them. Some even started projects which ended up stalled. GiveDirectly should capture this in messaging.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My passion has been to keep and invest in goats rearing. I was so excited when I received my second transfer as I saw myself venturing into this long awaited business. I took KES 15000 of my money to buy four goats and kickstart my dream. I had not cleared school fees arrears for my daughter in secondary school. This prompted me to spare KES 10000 of my transfer and pay her school fee. Our house had no furniture, I used KES 10000 to buy two couch which my children happy.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in our nearest shopping center that particular day at around 5 pm. That is when I heard a message alert on my phone, on checking, I confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy because we had been notified and withdrew the money a week later.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the purchase of a heifer which I had desired to have but couldn't afford. This will not only be an additional milk source once it reproduces but also a source of income. I am also grateful that my debt is cleared and now I am stress-free because initially, I used to hide from creditors or wake up earlier than usual.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before GiveDirectly, I owed many people. As a result, I used to have sleepless nights because creditors would come to my house very early each morning for their money. Most times, I used to leave my house early in the morning and at times my wife would lock me in the house to hide me from persistent creditors. Luckily, when GiveDirectly came I used KES 30,000 in repayment of long-standing debts dated two years back. As a result, I and my family have peace and can sleep well void of stress. Furthermore, KES 15,000 was spent on a heifer as an addition to the dairy cow I had. This is because it will soon reproduce and be a source of milk and income for my family Thirdly, I also bought a solar lighting system at KES 10,000. This has helped light my house, especially at night, and has helped my kids to study comfortably. their studies. Additionally, I used KES 4000 to purchase sofa set cushions because I had seats already. KES 3000 was also spent on a 210 liters water container which now helps store lots of water, especially during rainy seasons. Lastly, I spent KES 6000 on two bags of maize which will sustain my family for a longer time. Before we used to buy food daily from daily casual labor income but GiveDirectly has relieved us.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I lost my job in may last year due to redundancy. Since then ,I have ventured into subsistence farming so as to keep myself busy and also earn income from it. I am jubilant knowing that this transfer will boost my agricultural vision. Receiving this money means financial independence to me and my family of 7. I plan on using KES 37,000 to purchase a dairy cow to add on the one I have. This will increase milk production in two years time hence a direct increase source of income and reliability.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Living healthy is what we all desire in life. I am thankful to God because for the last six months all of my family members have been in good health. This enabled us to go about our normal activities without spending any money to cater for emergencies such as medical bills.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of stable source of income is my greatest challenge. I am the sole breadwinner in my family as my four children and wife depend on me for basic needs such as food, clothing and school fees. Having lost my job in last year May, life has been difficult because I cannot provide wholly for them. I earn KES 150 per day from selling 5 litres of milk where all the money goes into buying food and nothing is left to save. Sometimes I am forced to forego other needs for emergencies such as sickness.