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 > Richard's Profile
Richard's family
Richard
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
50
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53200 KES ($483 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has greatly changed and I have even added some weight. I no longer get painfully migraines because of stress concerning the needs at home. This transfers have given me enough time to even plan for the future by saving earlier unlike before the needs were more than the salary. I am also very happy and less stress nowdays since my children are schooling comfortably and happy too. Give directly was God sent and was really a life boast that they did for us.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly has done well by helping people in dire need. My village now acts as tourist attraction since almost everyone was able to build a roofed housed pulling down the grass thatched houses that have there ever since. Now everyone owns a house unlike before even older adults used to sheds with the goats something that was very heart breaking. I am very grateful to Give directly since it has given me a sense ownership and can proudly tell friends in the town where I come from.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to pay school fees for my children who are in college. I want them to prosper in education and to achieve this they have to be in school all the time and not at at home because of unpaid fees. I also bought a cow that will act as my savings plan since it will reproduce and create more wealth. This will help me financially when it reproduces since milk will be used at home and also for financial gains hence creating a continuous cash flow that will help sustain my children in school.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($508 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home relaxing when I saw a message alert from GiveDirectly, I was so happy that I called my wife to witness the same, we all thanked God for the good news that came our way that morning
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I did not sell any of my properties for my son's university tuition, I am so grateful that I used my transfer to pay for the fee arrears, I also planted 3 acres of beans and I am hopeful that I will be able to harvest and earn an income out of it. I am so grateful for the support that came at the right time of need.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, It was a sign of relief because My son is in university and we needed school fees, all I could think of was to sell any of the properties to see him through school, thanks to GiveDirectly because I used the transfer to pay for the fee arrears of KES 30,000, then l used 7500 to plant beans on a 3-acre land.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My ambition is to be a large scale farmer in future. I currently have a farm where I plant and sell vegetables such as onions, tomatoes and maize. I sell them to customers who later sell in other towns. In 2-3 moths I get an income of about $10 from the farm produce. That alone is not enough to pay for school fees for my 7 children. Receiving the cash will mean financial freedom for my family. I will most of it to pay school fees and the rest in boosting my farming business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
On my usual day I wake up at 6am in the morning take breakfast then head to my farm until around noon when I go back to the house. I am mostly happy in the afternoon because on most days that's when I get to sell all my produce and I get encouraged by my work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced has been financial stability. I get about $10-$12 from the produce in 2-3 moths of sales. That is not enough for me to pay for my children's school fess let alone provide basic needs such as clothing's.