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
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Safari's Profile
Safari's family
Safari
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
50
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($474 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?
Yes, I have always wanted to repair my house which in bad condition, constantly leaking when it rains. I also want to start a business of my own so that I can be able to earn income from it. I also want to buy goats. I would like to have goats which I can rear and also sell when I am in need.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I like that GiveDirectly gives funds directly to the recipient without having any intermediaries. With this concept, many people can get a huge sum of money to be able to help themselves out. When lots of intermediaries are involved then the money reaching the beneficiary is very little and won’t help that much.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money in buying 22 iron sheets. I also bought some pieces of timber and nails. With the materials available I paid up the mason who made a beautiful house and repaired the leaking roof of my house. I am now happy that I have a house that I can shelter in it without worrying about the weather conditions of the day. I also spent the money in buying goats. I decided to buy goats because they can survive in this drought conditions we are currently experiencing in our home place.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was on the farm looking after the crops with my family members when I heard a message alert on my phone. Being illiterate, I passed over my phone to my daughter who confirmed that it was the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was a celebration moment for the family for receiving the transfer since I had eagerly awaited and already have plans in place to boost my life.
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 was able to fulfill my desire of starting livestock rearing a reliable source of income for the family. Previously, I was doing unsustainable charcoal burning that was illegalized by the government due to its negative effects on the environment. I was left jobless without anything to do something that made my life miserable.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 27,950 to invest in goat rearing a future investment for my family. This is because goats are easy to raise, multiply fast, and are less prone to drought than cows. They will support me in case of any financial challenge that I may face in the future. I also spent KES 11,000 to purchase a bed, mattress, and bed linen before I was using sacks as bedding which brought a lot of discomforts and was easily affected by bedbugs. I am planning to use the remaining amount to boost my goat rearing by purchasing more goats.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means financial breakthrough to my family. I have a family of six children who needs to eat and access education. However, due to financial instability, this is not possible. I depend on charcoal burning to sustain my family but this has never been enough since the average income per month is around Ksh. 5000. I will use this money to buy 5 cows at a cost of 50000 shillings. This will help me start a business of selling these cows to butcheries to help me meet the cost of my children's education and meet their basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is my happiest part of the day. This is because a new day brings new opportunities that can help me and my family. During this time, I meet my friends and share any job opportunities available and this makes me happy because It gives me hope and joy when I get new casual jobs that can help me put food on the table.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have in my life is lack of a job that can help me meet the basic needs of my family. This has made life difficult and force us to go without food for even a whole day. The charcoal business that I have is not reliable and it cannot sustain my family.