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 > Esta's Profile
Esta's family
Esta
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
28
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($512 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?
I have always admired and been jealous of my neighbours when they go out herding their cattle. This is because I did not have any in my life. I felt so poor because I was not even able to own livestock just like my peers. Some of my friends would look down on me and even treat me unfairly. I knew one day my story will change but I did not know GD will be my way out. When I bought three cows with my transfer, some people thought they don't belong to me and I was taking care of someone else. Two weeks down the line, there was nobody who came for the cows. At that point, they acknowledged the cows were mine. Right now, they do come, we join the cows and go herding together. I do feel so proud at such times and all because of gD transfers.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I was very pleased with GD because they kept their word. They delivered as they had promised. This is the first time an NGO has worked in our area and actually delivered as they have said. There is nothing GD did not do well according to me.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my transfer on leasing in a piece of land where I have cultivated sugarcane. I have desired to plant sugarcane because I have witnessed how it changed my neighbour's financial life. They sold the sugarcane they planted and as a result, they were able to start a business with the profits. I also admired and decided to also give it a try. The problem is I did not have enough land to do the cultivation until I received my transfers from GD. The farm is doing well and I know when I will harvest the last harvest, my life will not be the same. I also used part of the transfer to buy farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizer which I applied on my farm. I paid for a tractor which ploughed the farm and even hiring labourers who weeded the farm. Had it not been because of the transfers, I would not have managed to do all these. The rest of the transfer I used on paying school fees arrears for my children who had been sent home. I did not want them to stay home for long because they would have been affected in their performance. I also bought food so that we should have never run out of what to eat in the house.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I no longer borrow utensils from neighbours because I bought mine. I am very happy I now have more than enough and my neighbours can now come and borrow.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money I was very happy.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I leased a land worth 30,000 KES because we do not have adequate land for cultivation. I also bought twenty female chicken to enable me to boost my chicken business. The remaining amount I bought house hold items like beddings, utensils etc.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to start a small business of shopkeeping and the remaining amount I will spend on buying maize seeds for my farm.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I go to my farm. This makes me happy as I am able to plough my maize and beens which is a source of food for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I face in my life is that our income is very low and my husband depends on motorbike transport in order to feed our family which at times is not enough.