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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Completed
Newsfeed > James's Profile
James's family
James
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
40
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 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?
The transfer from GiveDirecly has changed my family's lives for the better. A few months ago, my wife, two children and I lived in sad conditions. Our house was small and falling apart due to bad weather conditions. Its iron sheets were so worn out and so the leaf would leak whenever it rained. I was constantly worried about our safety. Since I was unemployed, I had no money and could not afford to change our living conditions. Once we received the transfer from GiveDirecly, things changed. I have been able to complete the construction of a new, spacious and comfortable house. I also plan on purchasing ten goats, which can be exchanged for oxen much later. With the oxen, I will work on people's farms to earn money and provide for my family's basic needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done well by giving unconditional cash transfers to many people living in poverty. This has improved the lives of many, including myself. From the transfers, we have built comfortable houses, purchased livestock and fed our families. Everything has been so smooth in my experience with GiveDirecly, and so there isn't anything they haven't done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
One of my greatest desires in life has been to build a decent, comfortable house for my family of four. This has been impossible to achieve, however, since I was unemployed, until a few weeks ago. We, therefore, lived in a small, dilapidated house that was falling apart. When we received the first transfer, we started building a better house, but could not complete it since the money was not enough. For this reason, I was elated when I received this second transfer. I purchased materials including timber and iron sheets, to complete the construction of my new house. The material and labour costs amounted to KES 25,000. I plan to spend the remaining amount of KES 28,150 to acquire ten goats that I hope to exchange for oxen later on.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($509 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 AM when I was heading to the shop then my phone started ringing. Since I was in hurry, I opted to ignore the notification but then it keeps on ringing. I was curious and decided to check who it could be. I couldn't believe my eyes, It was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly they had finally debited my first cash transfers into my account. I was overwhelmed with joy and for I knew I would achieve a lot through this financial help.
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 am now a proud owner of a decent house. For all those years, I have been staying under a small house in pathetic condition. I used to depend on the charcoal burning and firewood business which the little I could earn was too little to facilitate the buying of the materials. Therefore some of my children had to seek shelter from my relatives daily. I am now a happy parent because I live with all my family members under one roof which has been my long time dream. This has even me more proud and I can confidently host visitors unlike before whereby this was not achievable.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying building materials which include, pieces of iron sheets, nails, timber, building poles, and threads This was for the construction of a new house becasue the previous one was very small with a leaky roof. In a family of five, some of us had to seek from our relatives. Also, I bought bedding such includes a mattress and a bed at KES 10900 this was to replace the old ones. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and some decent clothes for my children.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always longed for a decent home. I am not a proud man when we have to squeeze in one tiny room as a family.I have a wife and two children. Receiving this money means I will build a spacious two roomed house with new iron sheets to ensure no leakage during the rainy season. My budget approximation is 300 USD to get a fully complete structure.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning always comes with hope for me. This makes it the happiest part of my day. I am always motivated knowing that at the end of the day I will come back home with food. I leave my house at 7 am and come back later at 6pm. Whenever I am not doing casual jobs,I spend my time in my farm.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Satisfying the basic needs has been my biggest challenge all along. This is because the little income that I get from farming and casual jobs is not enough to save for other projects. Most of the time,I use all the money to buy food. This explains the condition of my house. I have been trying to save money for constructing a better one without success. Farming is not reliable in this semi arid region while casual jobs pay little(as low as 5 USD) and are rarely found.