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 > David's Profile
David's family
David
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Carpentry
faceAge:
52
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($527 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference in my life was the school fees issue that I was able to clear, I had two chidlren who needed urgent payment of school fees to allow them to move to the next level. HE was to sit for his final exam without clearing with the finance. I am so glad that he finished school fees and he is now on the job market looking for a job. I know that he will secure a job. These are my hopes that have become a reality because of the transfers.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well because they brought the money directly to us at the household levels. I think that If they used a transparent manner in which no money was lost during the transfer. If they had used government structures or government officials, I am sure some of it would have been stolen.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the money I received on building an extension of my house. This is because I have a large family. We were not comfortable anymore living in the house we had but I could not afford to build one. I then bought some plastic water tanks. I needed this because I had already an iron roof from which I could collect rainwater for domestic use. I finally spent the rest on farming. I plowed the land and bought some farm inputs.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I am now happier since my children have their own bedroom to sleep in unlike before when they used to sleep in the kitchen and I am sure that their security is now good. The fact that when I have visitors, they will not have to sleep in my living room as they will be sleeping in my children's bedroom makes me also a happy man.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I saw the two messages, I did not believe myself and I had to wake up my wife for her to confirm and she indeed told me that it was true. At that instant, I was filled with joy and I sang praises to the Almighty for the blessings He had given unto us. My wife also joined me in praising God for what He had done for us through GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
My children have been sleeping in the kitchen and I was not been comfortable with this because I was always worried about their security. When I received my transfers, I decided to spend part of it to expand my house by building a bedroom for them. I also spent part of my transfer to buy a water tank to use in storing water, especially during the rainy season. My wife have always been traveling for a long distance looking for water daily even during the rainy season as we did not have a water tank to use in storing water. I also used part of my transfers to buy my children some decent clothes since they have always been requesting me to buy them some. This will make them comfortable mingling with their friends especially when we go to church. My children have also been using a paraffin lamb during their studies in the evening. The lights produced by this lamp is dim and they have always complained that they struggle to see the writings in their books. Therefore, I decided to buy a solar panel and a battery so that they can be comfortable when studying.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been struggling to pay School fees for my son who is in Eldoret polytechnic and now that I will receive th transfer from GiveDirectly, this means I will be able to pay without much hustle.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my is in the morning after seeing a new day since it is a privilege denied to many.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We have been intending to increase the size of land under cultivation but due to lack of finance, we have not been able fulfill that. I am a carpenter by profession and I get meagre income from it which is hardly enough to buy another land and that has been the biggest hardship I have faced in life.