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 > Leonard's Profile
Leonard's family
Leonard
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
31
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($436 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the next year and beyond, I am planning to start up a small business of kiosk, I will be constructing a small shop nearby my home. Shops and supermarkets are far away from my community and people walk far away to the shopping centres since they are located far away from us. I am therefore anticipating that it will attract as many clients as possible since it will be near them. Besides, I am also planning to do dairy farming so as to get milk for my family's consumption and for sale as well.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, what GiveDirectly does well in this program is that we receive the transfers in lumpsum amounts. This helps in planning as one is in a position to do something huge as compared to when the transfers are given in small instalments. The unlearned recipients are taught how to use mpesa. This has reduced the number of theft cases in the community as most of us managed to change our pins to a more secure code. To avoid household conflict, what needs to be done differently is enrolling all the individuals in the household. During enrollment, those individuals who did not have responsibilities by then were left out of the program yet these are the same people who steal from their old and vulnerable parents. Give Directly staff are very transparent during the enrollment process, they are so keen during the verification process and this ensures that none is left out during registration to the program. Another thing that needs to be done differently is enrolling all the communities in a specific village for uniformity purposes and this will prevent too many complaints coming from the communities that are left out during the registration to the programs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a parent of five children. Two are in Secondary School, a boy and a girl, while the other is in college studying Information Technology in his first year. I used a total of kshs 20,000 to clear their school fees arrears that have accumulated for the past year. Before the transfers, I was living in a small grass-thatched house and it could not fit all my family members. The boys used to sleep in my neighbour's house and this was so inconvenient as they could go so early due to insecurity in my community as most homes do not have access to electricity. I used the remaining part of the transfers of kshs 30,000 to build a spacious decent house for my family. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly transfers.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($466 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was heading to my work station where I work as a Boda Boda rider. Then Suddenly, I heard my phone ringing and vibrating in my pocket. Upon checking, I realised that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness knowing very well that this would change our living standards. I then informed my wife who was so excited and optimistic that our lives would be transformed entirely. I am so grateful for the support that brought so much happiness and joy into our lives.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life today is that I have a source of income, Having my own motorcycle would mean that I would be able to generate more income than before. Secondly, I was able to build a house for my family. I am so happy and grateful for the financial support that impacted our lives positively.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon the receipt of my initial transfer, my wife and I agreed on purchasing a second-hand motorbike with the transfer that we had received. This is because I was using a rented motorcycle before but unfortunately, the owner sold it out without my knowledge and I was left unoccupied for a while. Therefore we used KES 30,000 from our transfer to purchase a motorbike. I then used KES 20,000 in building a house. Lastly, I bought foodstuffs and paid dowry with the remaining part of the money. I am happy and grateful for the milestone that I have achieved within a short time, I was unable to accomplish them before due to unstable sources of income.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this transfer will mean alot to me. I have been really in need of a dairy cow. My household use 2 litres of milk a day which costs KES 80. This daily expense is a huge burden to me bearing in mind the current tough economic situation in Kenya. I am a motorbike rider and the business is currently affected with the shortage of fuel which has caused a sharp rise in fuel prices. Lots of worries runs in mind and the future is not promising.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiness is traced back to the month of September 2021 whereby I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. I was financially broke and was lucky enough that my wife delivered at home with no complications. Having a son and a daughter gives me pleasure. I am thankful to God for such wonderful gifts.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently I am really struggling to provide food for my young family. Fuel shortage has brought negative impact to my day to day life. For the last two days I have stayed home due to lack of fuel meaning for the said period my family survived in kind. I am optimistic and glad that fuel shortage will come to an end soon as said by the Government of Kenya.