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 > James's Profile
James's family
James
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
38
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($483 USD)
access_time almost 7 years ago
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What did you spend your third transfer on?
When I received my third transfer, I paid dowry for my late wife worth 25000 KES and invested the remaining amount in a leather shop that I had started with the first and second transfer. It was such a great experience.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had been dreaming of living in a better house, one that is not leaky but the dream was that elusive since I never had money to construct an iron-roofed house. So when I received this money, I constructed an iron-roofed house and I am happy that we live in it more comfortably since it is leaky-free. Again, famine had been my close companion ever since but when I received this money, I mechanized my farms and this has given me more yields than I expected-I am now food secure. And lastly, I am no longer jobless, now self-employed-running my leather shop that brings us income that caters for my household needs. This is how my life different than it would have been if I never received the transfer.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own own opinion, what Give Directly did well was making participation in the program voluntary. But it would consider walking in the village seeing what the poorest achieved in life since this would motivate it to add us more money to complete the projects we left incomplete.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 7 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on buying 30 iron sheets at 22,000 KES, used 20,000 KES to boost my cobbler business, bought a sack of maize at maize at 6,600 KES, then used the rest of the cash on food for the house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my business is now doing well because I have enough stock hence good income and I've managed to get into some local savings plan.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
10000 KES ($97 USD)
access_time 7 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on purchasing fertilizer and paying workers to prepare my parcel of land that has been lying fallow so as to get enough food this coming season.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I was soo happy because that evening I had just borrowed money from my friend. It was a surprise and I decided to return the money the next morning.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 7 years ago
 
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I would like to use the transfer to build a better house for my family. My current house is in a poor state and might collapse during rainy season.I also intend to use the transfer on expanding my shoes making business by adding more stock; shoes soles,leather and threads.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is that,thorough shoes making business,l was able to build my current semi permanent house.l was initially staying in a small grass thatched house.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest challenge in my lifeis that my business is not doing well.l get little profits that is not enough to cater for my needs.l spend all of it in paying bills and buying food for my family.l can not do other investment projects.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of my day is in the evening.l spend time with my children as their aunt prepare us dinner.