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 > Soi's Profile
Soi's family
Soi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($524 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?
Maintaining a mud-walled house is very costly on the other hand tedious and time-consuming. Then , I always wished to have the walls and floor cemented but since I could not afford to buy the materials I had no option but to persevere this dream because the income I made I had to prioritize on my family's basic needs. I am happy my dream finally come true because many neighbor who believed that I will not manage to plaster my house were astonished . Now I am staying in a nice plastered house I do not fear sitting down on the floor because it is very neat and clean. Back then it was very muddy when it rained as water sipped in the walls in to the floor this was very uncomfortable for me.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion , GiveDirectly did well through giving out donations in form of money which was sent directly on every eligible beneficiary's phone . I would acknowledge that this technic was unique but very effective and productive . Personally I do not see what GiveDirectly did wrong at its work
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second amount o money to buy a dairy cow worth 37,000 KES . I do rely on farming for a living unfortunately nowadays it not that reliable due to climatic change . The addition of a dairy cow to my herd has doubled my earnings through selling more milk and at the same time some are left for my family's consumption. I used the remaining amount to buy some basic needs for my family such one sack of maize and rice.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I used to live in a mud wall house that I had struggled to make it decent and permanent. I was not able to fulfill my dream of furnishing my house due to the limited resources in our family. I had been so stressful living in my house especially during the rainy season since it's floor could leak making it unfit for our stay. We used to seek shelter in my neighbor's house every time it rains. When I received my transfer, I went ahead and purchased adequate sand, and cement to facilitate the renovation of my house. I have now upgraded it to a decent permanent house giving me peace because I do not have to worry in case of heavy rains like before. I see this as the biggest difference in my daily life and I thank GiveDirectly for having made this possible.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes to 4 am when I received a new message on my phone. Upon checking it's content, my heart was filled with joy and I immediately informed my wife about the news. We felt so happy knowing that our dream of having our house furnished would soon be realized.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 35000 from my first transfers to furnish my house. I bought the materials which were needed like cement, sand soil and also paid a laborer for this work. I settled on this since my family was usually forced to take refuge at our neighbor's house during the rainy season because it usually leaks from the floor. I used the remaining amount to buy clothes, beddings, two sacks of maize flour and other foodstuffs for my family. I am happy that this has greatly changed our living standards. We have enough food, good shelter and better clothes that make us feel proud.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As a farmer, I always rely on milk production as a source of income for our daily needs. Receiving this money therefore means that I will be able to buy another cow so that I can increase my income. I also dont have a grannary where I can store my farm produce. So, I will use part of the transfers to build one.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning because I am energized, and ready to work in my farm herding and tending to the crops I had planted.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently, my biggest hardship is that I dont have enough money to meet the needs of my family and also to buy hybrid seeds for my farm because milk production has dwindled since my two cows are at an in-calf stage.