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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Kiptarus's Profile
Kiptarus's family
Kiptarus
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
74
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($308 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As I look forward to the coming year, I am determined to achieve many goals. In the past, I used to receive plenty of casual labor offers, but times have changed, and finding work has become challenging due to the preference for a younger workforce. Nevertheless, I am determined to make the most of what I have. I am currently working on my small piece of land, planting crops, and praying for rain to ensure a bountiful harvest. Additionally, I am taking care of a few goats, and whenever they give birth, I plan to sell the offspring to buy food and cover school fees for my family. Despite the challenges, I remain hopeful and committed to making the best of the resources I have, and I believe that hard work and determination will lead to a better year ahead.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly was God's sent and am happy for the great support and transformation In my opinion, GiveDirectly has been nothing short of a divine blessing, and I am profoundly grateful for the great support and transformation it has brought into my life. It is heartening to see everyone in the community acknowledge the exceptional work, the respectful and dedicated staff, and the unwavering fairness demonstrated throughout the process. I genuinely cannot find anything negative to say about the program; it has been a beacon of hope in our lives. If GiveDirectly ever returns to our community, I would wholeheartedly welcome another opportunity for transformation within my household. While I believe they have done exceptionally well, perhaps they could consider expanding their reach to touch even more lives in need.. Everyone appreciates the good work, the respectful staff, and the distinct fairness depicted throughout the process. There is nothing bad or I'll about the program and if ever comes back, I will be glad to welcome another transformation in my household.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Living alone and taking care of my 10 goats while my spouse, children, and grandchildren reside on another farm has been both a challenge and a source of motivation. These goats have allowed me to pay school fees for my daughter in college and my son, who recently completed his studies. With my last transfer, I prioritized my daughter's education and allocated $120 to cover her final year of college tuition. Additionally, I invested $300 in fencing around my compound, securing the perimeter after paying a $30 labor charge. This not only protects my goats but also adds a layer of security to my property. Currently, I am farming on a piece of land, and even though it is dry, we hold onto the hope of rain. Farming is a vital part of my life, and I continue to put in the hard work, knowing that it has the potential to sustain and improve my livelihood. The unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly has played a crucial role in supporting my family's education and ensuring the safety and well-being of my goats, giving me hope for a brighter future even in challenging circumstances.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($336 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have long harbored a desire to construct a spacious and comfortable home for my family. However, financial constraints have prevented me from realizing this dream. In order to overcome this obstacle, I have decided to focus on expanding my goat rearing project, with the intention of breeding more goats and eventually selling them to raise the funds needed to build my dream home.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my view, the assistance provided by GiveDirectly has had a significant positive impact on our quality of life and has been truly transformative. The program was clearly and effectively communicated to us in a language that we all understood, and it was implemented in a fair and equitable manner, without any discrimination. I have no criticisms or concerns about any aspect of the program's execution or integrity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As a retired Kenya Forest Service officer, my salary of $60 was very low during those years. I am currently married and have four children who still live with me. To make ends meet, I rely on farming and goat rearing. When I received my transfer, I decided to buy two goats worth $80 and a sheep worth $40 to reduce the cost of buying milk and breed them. Additionally, I paid my son's $100 medical college fees and spent $60 on fencing my land. Finally, I used the remaining amount to purchase foodstuffs. I achieved so much in such a short time, which I never thought would be possible. I am grateful for the excellent opportunity that the organization gave us to improve our lives.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($145 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Around 4:30 p.m., I got a message, but it wasn't until the following morning that I discovered it had good news. My neighbor informed me that the message she had got was from GiveDirectly as I was working on my farm. Just two weeks after enrolling, I was overjoyed and thanked God for the provision I had not anticipated. I had to coordinate all of my arrangements before I could collect the money that day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my day-to-day life is the cost of my child's schooling, who recently started her studies in medical school. She had given up because she couldn't afford the tuition, and she had also faced personal struggles that had led her to settle down. She returned home from her maternity leave, forcing me to hunt for money before returning to school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the initial $30 from my transfer on 25 fencing posts with the goal of totally surrounding my land. When their cattle trespasses, I can't confront them, which usually leads to arguments. I also gave my daughter, who is presently in her final year of medical school, $80 for her educational expenditures. I was relieved to see her return to school after a protracted stay at home where she was on the verge of giving up and getting married. In addition, I bought food products like a goat for $30 that my family still uses now and a sack of maize for $50 that my family of three is still using today.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
If I am able to get this transfer, my first priority will be to buy food. I will buy one bag of maize at $53. This means that we'll have enough food as a family. I will also share some with my children and grandchildren. Additionally, I intend to expand the number of goats I have. I will buy six goats for $300. When I have many goats, this will act as security for the family. To ensure safety of the goats, I will also fence my home. I will have to buy poles and barbed wire. This will cost approximately $400 plus labour costs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
What makes me happy are my 6 goats. When I take them for pasture and they come back home full. It fills me with joy. I have one goat that is about to deliver. It excites me seeing their numbers grow.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am 74, I cannot do manual labour. This is due to my old age. It's hard for me to get a job to support my family. I can only do the simple tasks such as harvesting millet or planting. This is to just place the seeds correctly. From this I get paid $2. During dry seasons like this, one can hardly get a casual job. It's really hard for me to get food, this saddens me. When it's dry, I can only depend on burning charcoal. If I manage to get one bag of charcoal, I can sell it for $5. This can support us for a week.