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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 > Paul's Profile
Paul's family
Paul
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
62
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($490 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been hadn't I received the transfer.This is because through these transfers I was able to pay accommodation fees for my daughter in the last year of her University. I was also able to clear to debts and open up a savings account.The transfers also came in handy in acquisition of food for my household during this Corona pandemic period where jobs are scarce hence no income source.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well because improve livelihoods of the poor especially in my locality and gives a chance for one to invest.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my second transfer on building a 25-Iron roofed two -roomed spacious house.This is because the one I had before was smaller with leaking grass thatched roof.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($519 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The money arrived in my phone with an Mpesa notified action very early in the morning. I checked the notification and was so elated to she that the money had been sent to me. I stated off the day on very high spirits with the purpose of starting a. Shop business at one side of my farm.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Heavy rains that rained for about three days continually and caused dampening and flooding.It became inhabitable because there no dry spot even just for a fireplace. I relocated the whole family to an old small house that we had left. Seeing this situation,I decided to build a better house. Construction is now ongoing even as runs get heavier. I am hopeful that I will complete it soon. If I had not received the transfer, I would have had to be rendered homeless and forced to seek shelter from well wishers.I am glad that I am handling this situation while still marinating my families dignity. Thank you so much GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money I received on my first transfer on building a house for my family. Heavy rains caused my old house to collapse! The floor of the house became damp to even an extend that it looked like it was flooded. I had to halt my plan of building a shop and build a house. It was a terrible situation and we could not live in it anymore. I am grateful that the money came at this time. I also paid school fees for my child in a university.
 
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been desiring to start a shop business since my land extents up to the road and there is no shop around here. We depend on farming and what we harvest is hardly enough to sustain the entire family's needs. My plan is to use around 400 USD to build and to stock the shop. Therefore receiving this money mean I will be able to start a business of my own and improve the life of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning since waking up healthy and strong means I will be able to work and put food on the table for my family. My day starts early in the morning by going to work in my garden of 0.5 of an acre where I have grown maize and beans up to late in the evening and sometimes use my afternoon to attend village meetings.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is lack of capital to start my own business. Even though I have 0.5 acre of land under cultivation where I have grown maize and beans, the produce I get from it is hardly enough to cater for school fees and save to start a business owing to the fact that I have a son who is in university. Therefore, a business will help me save some cash to meet the education expenses for my son and other household needs comfortable without depending on well wishers.