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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Paulo's Profile
Paulo's family
Paulo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
54
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($392 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My hope for the upcoming years is to purchase a machine for $500 that can help me in removing the coffee berries from their covers in my 300-tree coffee plantation. The work of harvesting berries is very strenuous, and I am looking for a more efficient and less physically demanding way of preparing them. I plan to achieve this by saving from my existing business and farming activities, knowing that every little bit of savings will count towards reaching my goal. The new equipment will assist me in increasing my production and yields, which will ultimately enhance my business and livelihood.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The method employed by GiveDirectly to give unconditional cash transfers and grant recipients the freedom to decide how to use the money is an extremely effective approach to tackling poverty. This enables us to make informed decisions about how to allocate the funds based on our individual needs, while also empowering us to invest in our priorities, whether it's buying food, paying school fees, or investing in a small business. Their commitment to professionalism and equity has made GiveDirectly stand out among other organizations we have observed. I hope that they will extend this same approach to other villages in a similar manner.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In recent years, subsistence farming in our community has become increasingly challenging, and even significant investments in farm inputs may not guarantee a successful harvest. However, with the help of GiveDirectly's first and second transfers, I have been able to change my approach to daily activities and focus more on livestock farming, which is more promising and less risky due to the unpredictability of the weather. With the second transfer, I spent $150 on purchasing three sheep that I plan to breed and sell alongside my other livestock in the future. Although the drought destroyed my maize field, which I have now converted to a livestock field, I spent $60 on purchasing farm inputs and hiring help. I also spent $51 on foodstuffs that I am still using, as I am currently living alone. Finally, I used the remaining amount to boost my retail business in the nearby shopping center, which has been successful after increasing my stock and attracting more customers who would otherwise have gone to other shops with more stock. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has helped me to improve my life and provide for my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($443 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
After several trips in search of water, I was relaxing at home. My phone then began to ring. I couldn't read because I didn't know how. I requested that my daughter read the message to me. That's when he told me I'd received money from GiveDirectly. This was the most encouraging news because it assured me that I would be able to build a decent home for my children. It made me happy for the greater part of the day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The most visible change in my daily life is that my children are ecstatic that they now have their own space, which was previously impossible due to financial constraints. Second, since I started receiving money, I have stopped going to the mine. I am pleased and grateful for the significant accomplishments that I have attained thus far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Working in a mine is the most difficult task. Though it was difficult, I had no choice but to persevere for the sake of my three children. As a widow, I am the sole breadwinner. After receiving my transfer, I decided to build a decent house for my family, which had previously been impossible due to financial constraints. My children, especially the boys, required their own space. As a result, I spent $300 on construction. Second, I paid $100 for two goats. Finally, I purchased school uniforms and food for my children. I am overjoyed and content that I was able to complete all of this in such a short period of time, and I will be eternally grateful.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Sometime this year we subdivided the land we inherited from our father amongst ourselves and my house fell into my brother's share of land.He has constantly asked me to relocate to my parcel of land but it has not been possible because I am a person of little means and had no money to relocate. This has caused me distress and we were almost at loggerheads with him.I am happy that the help from GiveDirectly is in the offing. I intend to use the transfer to relocate and build another house where my share is.I intend to use $300 to build the house and use the rest of the money to buy a coffee pulping machine.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Recently, we received a heavy downpour that boosted the productivity of my coffee crops. We had experienced prolonged low precipitation and it affected my coffee trees. I have seen a significant change in my coffee trees since the onset of the rains, they have since flowered and I expect a bumper harvest and subsequently get higher returns from the sale of it. We depend on rain-fed agriculture and when the rain fails we get low agricultural productivity which it worries me a lot.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been facing a severe food insecurity. The situation was made worse by the outbreak of lethal maize necrosis disease that ravaged our crops. I no longer do maize farming and I have resorted to buying maize grains from the nearby Kapkwen market. Life has been unbearable since the cost of living has gone up to unprecedented levels. The cost of a 2Kg packet of maize flour goes at $2.30 up from $0.8 which is sometimes unaffordable.The price of cooking fat has spiraled also and nowadays I do not cook using the fat and the quality of the food I eat is so poor.