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 > Jackson's Profile
Jackson's family
Jackson
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?
My life is currently different from how it would have been had I not received the transfers and I am glad it has really improved. Previously I had a small mud house but currently I am proud to own a spacious brick house. If it was not for the transfers, I would not be having such a house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly does a good job by giving people money an let them decide on how to spend it. It is better compared to the other organisations that provides services or goods instead of money. Cash guves people the opportunity to make decisions regarding their lives. On the other hand, they should have included everyone in the village rather than relying so much on the information given to them by the guides. Some cases are genuine but since not everyone in the village is honest, they lie about other neighbours rendering them to miss the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the second transfer on building materials that I used to complete constructing the house I had started constructing with the first transfer. The previous house was too small to fit my large family. Since we had no choice, we just had to squeeze in it. I am glad we currently have separate room from our children's room.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7 in the morning when I was preparing myself fr the day then I had my phone vibrating. Without wasting time, I decided to check who it could be. After checking, I realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and thanked God for bringing GD into my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning a permanent house has brought the biggest difference in my life. This had been my long-time dream for so many years but then I did not have the money to buy the required materials for the construction of a permanent house. The previous house was very small and it could not accommodate some of my family members therefore they had to seek shelter from their friends every evening. Also, I could not host even my visitors and this was so embarrassing most of the time. The coming of GiveDirectly into my village has transformed everything in my life completely. I am comfortable and happy with my family since I now own a spacious and permanent house. I also have an extra room specifically for my visitors which makes me proud. I will forever be grateful to this organization because I could not have achieved all these using my own cash.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I had been longing to own a permanent house, I spent a big portion of my first transfer on buying some building materials. They include some bags of cement, sand, and bricks. The previous house was very very small and temporary. To add to that, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family that would last for two weeks' time.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a great transformation in my life. I have desired to complete the construction of my house but this has been in vain due to my financial limitation. The house I am living at the moment is incomplete and leaking because I have just placed old rusty iron sheets as the roof. My plan is to spend $ 500 to purchase new iron sheet, cement and labor changes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. Waking up healthy and energetic for the day's work gives me joy. Also, it is in the morning that most of my customers come to purchase sand for construction.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income has been my biggest hardship. Despite having a certificate in community development and experience in driving, I have not secured a job. This has forced me to do casual labor of selling sand in a quarry. This job earns me utmost 20 dollars per month which is hardly enough to cater my family needs like food and good shelter.