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 > Wesley's Profile
Wesley's family
Wesley
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
35
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($469 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to continue with the work that I had started doing. It is planting season and I have started planting maize. I had set aside KES 5000 to use in tilling the land and buying seeds for planting. I want to grow maize for my family's consumption. This way I will have reduced the costs since I usually incur the cost of buying maize and other foodstuffs such as milk and sugar on a daily basis. With the reduced costs, I will hence be able to save some of the money that I usually make from the casual jobs of agribusiness.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well when they decided to conduct an entry-level meeting with the community members. They taught us well and we understood what the program was all about. Apart from teaching us, they also advised me on how to go about with the transfers. I hence recommend them to continue with the good work that they have been doing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer money on buying chairs and cushions. The chairs and the cushions cost me a total of KES 18000. I had built another house with the first transfer. I was however not able to buy any chair since the money was not enough and hence the house was practically empty. We are grateful to GiveDirectly because we now have nice seats to sit on and relax with our family members and friends. Apart from the chairs and cushions, I also bought three bags of maize at a total cost of KES 12000, four goats at a total cost of KES 15000, clothes at KES 6000, and KES 5000 to agriculture.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was at home relaxing when I heard my phone ringing and vibrating loudly, Upon checking I saw a Mpesa notification message showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness, I knew that I will be able to buy a dairy cow just the way we had planned, I then called my wife to inform her of the wonderful news that came our way, words cannot express how happy she was, I am grateful to have received the support from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is I now own a daily cow which I could not afford to buy all these year's due to financial constraints, In addition, I can save up money that I used in buying milk daily, we now have enough milk for our daily consumption. Lastly, I was able to stock up enough foodstuff for my family. I am so grateful that the organisation allowed me to better my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a casual labourer in the village and a farmer. when I received my transfer I bought a dairy cow worth KES 45,000, I used to buy milk daily for our daily consumption which was too expensive because 1litre of milk sells at KES 40 I don't have a stable source of income, therefore, buying milk daily is costly, but all this is in the past now thanks to GiveDirectly. I then used the remaining part of my transfer in buying clothes and foodstuffs. I am grateful for the support that changed my life.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been dreaming of owning dairy cows to help me earn income in the future through the production and sale of milk, therefore I will budget $500 to purchase two cows. Also, I will use $100 to buy goats and use $200 to renovate my house and buy some furniture for my house. I will use the remaining $200 to buy food and clothing for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Usually, my happiest part of the day is around 4 p.m. EAT. This is when I come home from my casual job with something for my family to eat.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Hunger and food shortages have been my biggest hardship. We rely on subsistence farming but, unfortunately, maize has not been doing well in our region making us depend on casual jobs to feed the family. What I earn from this job is not enough to buy us food. We at times skip meals or even use less preferred foods like tea and sweet potatoes for lunch or supper.