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 > Joan's Profile
Joan's family
Joan
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
31
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53075 KES ($525 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I bought a cow which I never had initially, and I also had enough finances that helped me pay the hospital bills for the treatment of cancer. Finally, I now own an irrigation machine that has been helping us with watering the plantations which actually makes our work much easier and also results in efficiency in terms of the amount of water that we use to water the entire acreage
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization has helped a lot of people who use the cash transfers in different ways to change their lives. For instance, for me I used it to seek medical attention and I thank God that eventually I got cured of the cancer that probably would have killed me were it not for the quick medical attention.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used the money to pay my hospital bills because I was so sick at that time. I had been diagnosed with cancer and the only way I could get cured from this deadly disease was by using the cash that I received from GD. I remember using approximately close to 18000 KES during the treatment process. Apart from that, I also used the rest of the remaining amount to buy an irrigation machine which we had planned to use for irrigation purposes to enable us get as much harvest as possible from our farm where we have been carrying out tea plantations. The rest went into the purchase of food for the family and other miscellaneous consumption.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I no longer use KES 60 everyday to buy milk unlike before.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money, I was overwhelmed with joy and thanked God for the blessing because I did not belive that I will be given such an amount of money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on purchasing a dairy cow for milk production so as to avoid using KES 60 every daily to buy milk. Part of the money went on building a house because I had a small one for the 7 family members. I also took my child to an academy school where he can be monitored beause he was in a public school where he was left free. The remaining amount went on clothes for the whole family members.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means great transformation in my life. This is like a miracle that has come at the right time when my children need school fees for their education. I would like to clear their arreas so that they stay in school most of the time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I get paid from the casual labor that I offer and buy food and clothes for my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am facing in life is lack of money to pay school fees for my children. They are frequently sent home due to lack of school fees. This has interfered with their academic performance.