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 > Sammy's Profile
Sammy's family
Sammy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Charcoal burning
faceAge:
47
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Sammy's next check-in.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($337 USD)
access_time 1 month ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
This year, with savings from GiveDirectly transfers my plan is to cultivate maize and beans on my 1.5-acre farm. However, the success of this endeavor hinges on the rains. We rely on irrigation from the river, but it's drying up. Cultivating these crops is vital for me as it will address our food security concerns. Any surplus harvest will be sold to generate income for school fees. It's a simple plan with significant potential to improve our lives, but it all depends on the rain.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In Endao village, located in Baringo county, GiveDirectly has brought about a remarkable change in the local economy through their transfers. People now have money, and the transformation is evident. I witness houses being constructed, and individuals are able to afford better clothing. From what I've observed, GiveDirectly hasn't made any errors that would make me recommend a change in the program. Their impact is clear, uplifting the community and improving lives in a straightforward yet powerful way.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With a generous $450 from GiveDirectly, I was able to make significant changes in my family's life. Prioritizing my sons' needs, I allocated $340 to build them a house. As a single father, seeing them happy and having their privacy fills me with joy. Education is crucial to me, so I used $70 to pay their school fees, ensuring they wouldn't be chased away. Addressing immediate hunger, $20 went towards buying food. The remaining $20 was spent on new clothes for my three children, bringing smiles to their faces. This support has truly made a positive impact on our lives, providing stability and happiness.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($113 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The day the $200 from GiveDirectly arrived, I was at home with my three kids – two boys and a girl. As a single father, the weight on my shoulders often felt heavy. When that money notification came, a wave of relief swept over me. My immediate thought was my boys' education. With $80, I managed to ease the burden of their school fees. Before, they were at risk of being sent back home, but now, they're still in school. $55 was earmarked for something equally crucial, food. We were running low, and the money came just in time. It was like a helping hand exactly when we needed it. The feeling was indescribable a mix of gratitude and reassurance. This small windfall wasn't just about money; it was about keeping my family's dreams alive and ensuring there was food on the table. The impact of that transfer was a lifeline, a reminder that even in the toughest times, there can be moments of unexpected kindness.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I began getting transfers from GiveDirectly, the most significant change has been in our meals. Before, finding enough food was hard work and exhausting. Now, with the regular transfers, the burden of hunger has become smaller. I don't have to struggle so much just to make sure there's enough to eat. The impact goes beyond the table. The biggest change is the happiness in my family. As a single father with three kids, it's amazing to see how the atmosphere at home has shifted. The worry about where our next meal will come from has lessened, and that brings a lot of joy. It's not just about food; it's about the comfort and security that regular support has brought to our lives. With this help, our family is now happier, and that's a change I treasure every day.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I got $200 from GiveDirectly, it was like a helping hand right when we needed it. I have two boys in high school, and with $80, I was able to pay part of their school fees. Before, they were always sent back home because of unpaid fees, but now they can stay in school for a while. The rest of the money, $55 to be exact, went straight to buying food. We didn't have anything to eat, and that money made sure we had enough. The feeling was amazing, a mix of relief and happiness. It's not just about the money; it's about keeping my boys in school, making sure they have a chance for a better future. And it's about having food on our table, something as simple as that making a big difference in our lives. This help from GiveDirectly wasn't just money; it was hope and support when we needed it the most.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving the transfers means so much for me since it will help me transform my life and that of my children. Having been left to bring up 3 children on my own after divorcing my wife, life has been very difficult. This has led to my inability to afford commodities such as utensils and clothing. Because of this, therefore, I intend to use the first transfers to purchase clothes, utensils and foodstuffs such as cooking oil and maize. I plan to use $18000 of the transfers to accomplish this. For the second and third transfers I intend to build my son a one roomed iron sheet house. I plan to spend about $300 of the transfers on this. For remaining amount I intend to purchase 4 sheep and also pay one year's school fees for my son.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiness over the past 6 months came from receiving $50 for my son's school fees through the community Development Fund(CDF) sponsored by the government. This helped me pay for third term's school fees fully which delighted me so much.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge I'm facing at the moment is providing for my children. Since my wife left me with my 3 children in 2010, I was tasked with taking care of them. This is challenging for me considering I don't have a permanent job I depend on and therefore has made my life very difficult.