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 > Gladys's Profile
Gladys's family
Gladys
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
43
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($490 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?
As a parent, I was struggling so much to raise school fees for my children and this would see me commit most of my earnings on paying their school fees. Since the cash wasn't enough, I was left with nothing to do other things which are necessary like shelter. But when I got the transfers, I built a house for my sons and acquired a water tank. And with these, my children were so happy as they knew that they would no longer have to spend most of their time fetching water.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly were not selective in that they wanted to uplift the livelihood of every household by empowering through cash transfers. I believe that there was nothing which was not done well as the officers would offer teachings on how the cash can change lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used to walk for a long distance to the river every day to fetch water for use at home and this was a tedious process. When I received my second transfers, I spent KES 20000 on buying a 2500 litres water tank. This would enable me to store harvested rain water and would help me solve water crisis in our homstead. I then spent another KES 24000 on buying building materials for constructing a house for my sons. Before, the use to spend nights at my neighbor's house and thought it was nice for them to have their own house where they can study and sleep comfortably. The remaining amount, I spent KES 5600 on purchasing farm inputs so that we would have food in the near future and the rest, KES 3000 I spent on buying some clothes for my family members.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
That beautiful morning while cooking tea, I received I call from my son who's in school enquiring whether I received the transfers and wasn't sure because I hadn't heard the phone ring. On checking the contents of my new SMS, I confirmed to have received the transfers.I was very happy and grateful because the money came at the right time when needed to shift and for sure Gods plans are the best.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is shifting to my own piece of land and putting up a new house and maize store in a timely manner.All these wouldn't be possible were it not for GiveDirectly because it could take a bit longer for me to shift. I am also happy because I have bought and planted maize on time. Previously I would sell the maize stock I had in order to get money for purchase of farm inputs. Therefore I have planned to keep the maize stock till next year when I will sell in order to settle my kid's school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on building a two roomed semi permanent house.This is after our family land division there was a need to shift to my own piece of land. My initial house was also old and worn out. I spent some of my transfer on building a new maize store. The remainder was injected into farming of maize seeds because it's planting season.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We live in a semi-arid area where there is no reliable source of clean water for drinking and other household uses. As such, it normally takes me about two hours to and fro a nearby water spring. Hence, receiving this money means that I shall be relieved from the daily role of fetching water by carrying on my back because I will afford to install tap water from a water pipe that passes about 300 meters away from our homestead.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when we all wake up happy and health. This acts as a sign of a blessed day for my family because we shall afford to handle our daily tasks with relative ease.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When my daughter was in form two she was diagnosed with a heart problem. Accordingly, she was advised not to give birth or even get married because pregnancy may cost her life or that of her newborn. This has been heartbreaking for virtually everyone in our family, especially us as her parents who could wish to see her start her new family and bear children. Besides, she sticks to a specific diet and undergoes regular checks and continued care; a practice that requires significant resources, including money and time. These serve as the biggest hardship I have faced in life.