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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Completed
Newsfeed > John's Profile
John's family
John
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
31
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on John's next check-in.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was awakened by the loud vibration from my mobile phone. I was a bit nervous because it was very unusual. I had some of my neighbors shouting, and celebrating at the same time, I definitely knew there was something good. I then decided to check who might have sent the message early that morning. wow! it was an mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I felt happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having have invested in the agricultural activities had brought about the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because initially I used to practice commercial farming and I used to plant some watermelons and vegetables. This is what I had been depending on and I used to supply them in the nearest towns in bulky for years. But then there was a time I had an emergency and I had to utilize all the profits and the capital, this made the business to collapse because I did not have enough money to buy the fertilizers, seeds and some other facilities. Having have received the first transfer I gave it a priority because I had enough experience. I a now glad because I believe I have prepared everything and in the next few months, all struggles shall come to an end. I will no longer have to worry about my family's daily needs, school fees and many more. This is because I already have the customers and I am assured once the watermelons are ready, I will not have to strains about looking for customers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a larger portion of my first transfer on investing in some agricultural actives. I have been longing to restart the commercial farming of watermelons that initially I was operating but due to my low financial status, I could not afford it. First, I leased a four acres land purposely for the farming, I then hired my neighbors to prepare the farm, bought some fertilizers and seeds. I opted in practicing it because in my region the climatic condition is favorable, plus the type of soil. Previously I used to harvest the watermelons in large quantity and this gave me hope of no doubts. The remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying some foodstuffs.
 
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a small-scale farmer, growing water melons for sale on a 1 acre farm which earns me an average of 2.5 dollars per day. My wish has been to expand my farming but I have not fulfilled this due to inadequate financial resources. Receiving this money means realization of dream as I am planing to invest $450 on cultivation 3 more acres. I will be able to earn more income something that will change my life for the better.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. Waking up healthy and energetic after a resting overnight give me joy and hope in life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have not had a chance to further my studies after primary school due to lack of school fees. This has really affected my life in general. Being illiterate finding a better job and new ways of farming is a big challenge to me. Therefore, I feel illiteracy is my biggest hardships in life.