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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 > Richard's Profile
Richard's family
Richard
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
66
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53075 KES ($528 USD)
access_time over 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 is that l am able to till my farm with ease as compared to before when I had to hire people's oxen which could take too long before they work on my farm and it was also very expensive. Sometime I would go as far as using my own hand to till my farm and that is not the case now. I am now able to plant on time that usually leads to high production, which is always enough to sustain my family for a longer period before next planting season. l now have a very nice secured place where my visitors can release themselves. I also do not walk for a long distance when I am pressed asking for toilet from my neighbors as I use to do before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
My opinion give directly did a very good thing by giving people phones because most of us never own a phone and this was a great opportunity. It was another great idea if using E-mpesa as a means of sending money to us since it is very convenient and safe.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent most of the transfer to put up a pit latrine. I thought of building a pit latrine because it was so embarrassing when I have visitors and they want to go to the latrine, I had to direct them to my neighbor's pit latrine. I am also very old I could not walk a distance going to my neighbor's latrine to release myself. When I managed to put up a latrine I was so happy because I no longer get embarrassed when I have visitors and they would like to using the latrine. I also have easy time when I want to go to the pit latrine, I do not walk a long distance. The remaining I spent buy oxen for cultivating my farm. I thought of buying oxen because I have been having difficulty when it comes to plough season because I have to wait for other people to complete tilling there land before I could hire them to till my land and sometimes getting money to pay for hiring the oxen also becomes a big challenge. This normally leads to late caltivation resulting to poor harvest. Since I bought my oxen I am able to till my farm in time and get enough produce. I also no longer spend money to hire people's oxen to work on my farm as I used to do before.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($548 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I am now able to rear the livestock with the anticipation that I will be able to sell it in the future and make money out of it.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so nice because I had money to buy an additional asset in the form of a cow in addition to a ploughing equipment.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my money on buying a cow that I will use to plough my farm. In case I run broke in the future, I will be able to sell it and make money out of the transaction.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am facing is difficulty in paying school fee for my youngest son who is currently studying in a high school since I do not have stable sources of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I receive wages for my labour. I feel very happy whenever I have fended for my family members and they are able to get what to feed on.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that there will an increase in my income and I shall be able to buy more cows for milk. I shall also purchase oxen which I shall use to cultivate my farms hence my farming activities will greatly increase.