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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 > Michael's Profile
Michael's family
Michael
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
64
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($521 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
If I could not have received the transfer my son could still be sleeping in a grass-thatched leaking house where he was being rained on
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion what Give directly did well was by training people and this has helped so many people make the right decision and there is a very big change in the village. They were also dealing with people directly without involving other people like even government.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent most of the transfer on sugarcane farming by planting two hectares of land . Thought of this type of investment because it is more profitable and I am sure I will get enough money that will allow me do other developments. The remaining balance l spent to buy food stuffs for my consumption.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My interest has always been in farming. I have always dreamt of having acres of land to plant sugarcane. This has not been possible because I never inherited such a big piece of land from my late father. It was upon me to work hard and ensure I realize this dream in my life. When I received this transfer, I thought of building a new house and to leasing in a piece of land which I want to use to plant sugarcane. I believe when I harvest, I will have enough money to support my family and to buy another piece of land. I would not want to lease anymore but have my own. This is a process that will happen until I have the 10 acres of land I have always desired to own.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Receiving this transfer really caused a lot of happiness within me. After a long time in my life, I felt good. I have never received such amount of money in my life before. I looked to my roof and spoke to it saying the struggles are no more.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on leasing in one acre of land which I want to plant sugarcane on. Since I do not have enough farming land, this was the only way I felt I could invest this transfer. Sugarcane is the most common crop in my area and from experience, it has helped change so many lives financially. I too have always wanted to invest in the same since I do not have any stable source of income and casual work cannot support me enough with my family. I also used part of the transfer to hire for labourers who helped in ploughing my farm for planting season. I did not have enough manpower for that yet we had approached the rainy season. The remaining part of the transfer, I used to buy building materials such as iron sheets, timber, nails, steel door and windows which I have since used to build a new house. The house I had before, had a leaking roof and anytime it was raining, we had to gather our household properties to a corner so that they may not be rained on. At night, we had to be a wake when it was raining because there was not enough sleeping space from the leaking roof.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I shall be able to do much better farming by hiring more land, prepare the farm in good time, buy fertilizer and modern seeds so that I may harvest more for both family use and sell the surplus to meet my children school fees needs. The second transfer I will use to repair my house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually in the evening when we are home together with my children and we reflect the day with family stories.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced was losing my wife to sickness because I had no money to take her to a proper hospital, this has left me with children to take care of alone and it has not been easy.