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 > Happiness's Profile
Happiness's family
Happiness
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
26
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($492 USD)
access_time 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 transfer. Previously I did not have a reliable source of income yet I had a lot of responsibilities to meet. Receiving the money enabled me to make a great step in life. I now have an additional source of income from the motorcycle that I bought with the second transfer. Besides that, I was able to purchase a piece of land where we shall construct our house. We are currently staying in our father-in-laws' grandparents home. The family is big and we are running out of space. Having my place will make me independent.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly does well by giving people cash. This has raised the hopes of those who had both totally lost hope in life and had no direction in life. People have really improved and it's kind of Give Directly gave life back to those who had totally lost hope. On the other hand, I have not see any area of weakness.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought a motorcycle on credit with a bigger portion of the second transfer. I did not have a reliable source of income and since motorcycle people are earning food money from motorcycle taxi business in our area, I invested in it. Part of the daily income I will be earning from it will service the credit I incurred while purchasing it amount while aportion I will be spending on my household needs. Aportion of the transfers I spent on constructing a pit latrine. Previously I used my neighbours latrine but I found it uncomfortable and inconveniencing especially at night. I am now proud I have my own decent latrine.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received an Mpesa message early in the morning. On checking the contents, I realised it was from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received my first transfer. I was filled with happiness because my dream of owning a piece of land would come true.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been dwelling at our ancestral land with limited rights to utilise the available land. My desire was to own a piece of land where I would be free to invest my resources and develop. I could not achieve this at my own cost. When I received the transfer, my dream of owning land was finally fulfilled. I purchased my own piece of land and I am planning to build on that land and do my own projects without interference from anyone. Owning this piece of land is the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had acquired a piece of land that I was planning to build my new home though I had not completed paying for it. When I received the transfer, I spent KES 40000 to clear the outstanding debt. I am now owning the land and my joy is that I have freedom to do my own projects and farming unlike the ancestral land where I was restricted. I spent the remaining amount of the transfer to pay for an instalment on a motorbike I acquired on loan. The services the motorbike is giving has been our major source of income. Through the income, I have been able to effectively fulfil my family's basic needs such as foodstuffs and buying household items.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been depending on the family land for subsistence farming which is at the moment is not fertile and the produce I get is always very low. My desire has been to buy a fertile portion of land in order to have more produce that can sustain my family for long. To settle this, I intend to spend the utmost 60000 shillings to buy the land. On the other hand, I also plan to use 30000 shillings to repair my house by reinforcing it with stones because it is made of poles and mud. Having done this, I will be guaranteed a better life since I will have food security as well as a better house for living.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of my day because it is at this time when I get ample time to rest from my busy day. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I get engaged in household chores and farm work respectively. These jobs drain much of my energy and I am always getting exhausted.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have ever been a housewife since I got married in the year 2016. My plans for owning a kiosk have been a mere dream and I always depend on my husband who is a houseman at Mombasa. His income is very low and we are sometimes forced to skip our meals or borrow from my relatives something that does not give me peace of mind. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship.