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 > Jumwa's Profile
Jumwa's family
Jumwa
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
75
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
check
 
Follow to be updated on Jumwa's next check-in.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Having goats has made my daily life to be totally different in various ways. Since they reproduce twice a year and their offsprings mature faster, I knew I would go far and achieve a lot with them. To add on that they require less supervision. This was indeed a perfect choice considering my old age. I believe I will be able to successfully take care of them I feel I made the right choice considering my old age. Lastly, they can survive in any climatic condition and because in my village is a semi-arid region I believe hey will survive without any hindrance. Out of the four that I bought, two have started reproducing and thus are giving me hope that they will increase in number within a short period of time. My plan is when they multiply, I will start a business of selling the offspring immediately when they mature to the local market and this will be a potential business that will definitely change my life. I am certain the little I will be getting from the business will enable me to achieve a lot.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 5 am when I heard my phone ringing. I decided to wake up my granddaughter to confirm who might have sent the message that early. After confirming, she realized it was an mpesa message from Give Directly, they had debited my first transfer into my account. I couldn't hide my joy since it was my first time getting such a huge amount of money. It looked like a miracle because not even my closest relative would have given me half of the amount.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buy a few building materials such as iron sheets, timber, building poles, and nails. This was purposely for the construction of my new house. The previous one was a small traditional hut with some grass-thatched roofing. It had become old and was almost collapsing, that is why I started having thoughts of building a new one. I later bought four goats at KES 10,000. I then hired someone to plough my farm since it was a planting season. I am glad I will have plenty of harvests this season because I managed to increase the acreage of land under cultivation. I used the remaining amount of money to buy food and other household items such as jerricans, plastic chairs for my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire is to own a better house that can give me nice sleep. Considering the condition of my house which is nearly open roofed and almost collapsing, I rarely get enough sleep whenever it rains since I am forced to change bed positions. Receiving this money means a decent shelter because I am planning to use my first transfer on house construction. The remaining disbursement will aid in buying goats that will act as my long term investment. This will change my livelihood, a transformation that I have long wished.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I consider evening being the happiest part of my day because I always get ample time to rest from my busy day. My morning and afternoon hours are usually fixed since I am required to work in my farm a job that makes me tired and exhausted.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine sleeping in a grass thatched, leaking and almost collapsing house! It has been a hard moment to me especially this rain season. I have recently spent sleepless nights, a situation which does not give me peace of mind. Since my husband is old and jobless, it hardly been easy to construct a new one or even to repair the one I currently use. Therefore, financial instability to have a respectable shelter has been my biggest hardship.