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 > Alice's Profile
Alice's family
Alice
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
51
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($465 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Paying school fees for my son who is currently in the University has been tedious. Even after receiving the first and the second transfer that played a great role in clearing the current semester, I still have to work harder and ensure that I raise enough money for the coming semester. I don't have a new goal till the end of this year when my son will be done with his studies.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in all the stages of enrollment. Everyone is given full information first before any detail is picked and an assurance that the data collected will only be used by GiveDirectly and not any other organization without the owner's permission. I am happy that everyone is given a chance to spend the received amount in any way that would serve their needs. I have nothing against GiveDirectly at all since nothing at all went contrary to what they had promised us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 35000 out of the second transfer on purchasing a lactating dairy cow to increase milk production that, in turn, will increase the household's daily income. I have been keeping one for over two years now, and the milk I have been getting has just been enough for my family of five but no surplus to sell. I am glad that the one I brought in has been producing additional three liters every day that after selling has been useful in paying smaller household bills. I also had to ensure that I cleared tuition fees for my son who is currently in the university. After paying part with the first transfer, I still needed to top up with another KES 20000 to enable him to obtain an examination card that will facilitate the entry to the examination room at the end of the semester. GiveDirectly has been great to me within the past few months, and I am certain that I will be able to raise other money that will serve both the household bills and also school fees for the remaining semester before my son completes his bachelors level.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home with my daughter that morning who is also my helper when we received a message that confirmed the receipt of KES55000 from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and with the goals that we had already set with my family, we had to collect the money the following day from the nearby shopping center. I am grateful to the whole GiveDirectly office for the great support that we got after enrollment.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life after receiving the first transfer is the five liters increase in milk production. Buying a dairy cow has proven to have been the best option as I can save at least KES200 more every day compared to the previous months when I had only one cow. With this improved savings, I am confident that my children in school will never lack and won't be sent home to collect any money since I am planning to be paying in bits and in advance.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
From the first transfer I received from GiveDirectly, I spent KES30000 on buying a lactating dairy cow. I had been hoping to add to the existing one. Since then I have been seeing a lot of improvement in our living standards as a household in that I can now save more and be at ease in paying school fees for my children and also in providing daily needs for my family of five. I also purchased a large water tank at KES 16000 that I am using in rainwater collection from the roof. I have been struggling a lot fetching water from the public reservoirs and the river that was not always safe for use in the household. With the water tank at my doorstep, I have saved a lot of time that I could have been spending ferrying water from the river. With the remaining amount, I obtained new clothes for my family members as everyone needed at least a pair that I was lucky to fix in the budget and made everyone smile at the end.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always aspired to rare dairy cattle that will enable me to start a milk selling business. Milk is a commodity that is in high demand within our area. Lack of capital has seen this idea remain idle in my head for a very long time. Receiving this money means that my dream of starting dairy farming has come true. I will invest KES 45000 in purchasing a dairy cow. This will make me start my dairy farming business. Furthermore, my son is pursuing his education at Karatina University, which has been giving me sleepless nights due to school fees areas. I will use KES 30000 to clear school fees areas and have now peace as I work on providing for my household. For the remaining money, I will buy a plastic water tank to harvest rainwater and avoid perennial water shortages.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of the day, this is the time that I am done with my household chores and day's activities successfully. I am also happy to have gotten something to feed my family from my casual jobs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am earning little money KES 300 daily from my casual job of weeding farms for pay. This has made my life hard to balance between providing for my family and paying fees for my son at Karatina University.