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 > Gilbert's Profile
Gilbert's family
Gilbert
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
27
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The well-constructed chicken coop with a capacity of 100 chicken currently is a great difference I would not have realized without the transfer. I have also managed to put up a water storage facility after connecting piped water to my doorstep. Alongside these, I also bought a good breed of cow currently giving us enough milk. These have kept me working strictly on my farm unlike before when I would work all day in casual labor in other people's farms
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a very good job of choosing our village as one of the beneficiaries and ensuring that every household receives an equal transfer. This freed the village of conflicts a great deal as many would have questioned the employed criteria. So far I can't complain but praying that other villages would also receive the same support from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the second transfer I spent 30000KES on buying a cow.  I needed a good breed mainly for milk production and I am grateful that this had been happening since then. I also used 10000KEs of the remaining on the piped water installation. I obtained a 150-Meter plastic pipe which was 9000KES then and paid labor with the remaining 1000KEs. With the remaining amount, I obtained enough foodstuff for my children. I am one of the happiest beneficiaries as I am currently enjoying the plentiful supply of water at my doorstep.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very excited and I called my wife to come celebrate with me. We were thankful knowing that our lives were going to change.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My chicken used to stay in the kitchen and every morning when my children were preparing for school, the chicken would go out too early and they could be eaten by stray dogs. My children also can now dress decently unlike before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the transfer to bulid a chicken coup, bought maize and bought clothes for my children. I also bought more chicken to rear for commercial use.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been yearning to keep a large number of poultry for commercial purposes through production of meat and eggs. This will act as a reliable source of substantial income for my family because the unfavorable weather conditions (semi-arid) in our area cannot affect them compared to crop farming that I am currently doing. Hence, receiving this money means that such a dream will materialize.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when we wake up as a happy and healthy family. This is a sign of a fruitful day because we shall have significant energy and motivation to handle our farming activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am practicing food crop farming in a semi-arid area. Since I cannot afford to irrigate my farms due to financial constraints, I normally realize low yields that are hardly enough for my family's use. Unfortunately, I have been forced to continue with the same practice because I am a farming enthusiast. Hence, the biggest hardship I have faced in life is practicing crop farming in an area with unfavorable weather conditions.