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 > Ken's Profile
Ken's family
Ken
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
22
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Having achieved all I had discussed with my wife with the first transfer, we had a goal of building a kitchen with the second transfer since we didn't have one.We are so grateful for the support since we had always wanted to put up the structure but we didn't have enough finances.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly does well by giving cash transfers to each household. This gives a chance to everyone to choose what they feel they most need. I do not see what Givedirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my second transfer, I opted to spend Kshs.30,000 in building a spacious kitchen since we didn't have one. We recently completed the house and looking forward to start using it. I can now run my business peacefully. With the remaining amount, I used to pay for labor for the construction of the kitchen. I am grateful to Give directly for giving me a chance to improve on my standards of living.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home getting ready for work, before stepping out I heard my phone vibrating in my pocket, I thought to myself that maybe it was a reverse call from my brother whom I was expecting his call, to my surprise when I checked the message I saw a Mpesa notification confirming that I had received KES 55,00 from GiveDirectly, words cannot express how grateful I was to have received the good news that morning, I informed my wife who was equally happy, we knew that finally, we will be able to construct a decent house with the funds that we had received. I am thankful to have received the transfer at the time of need.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is the newly constructed house, spacious and decent, all this was not possible before because I didn't have a reliable source of income, receiving this money has been of great assistance to my family and me, in addition to that I also bought sofa set so that our guest can comfortably have a place to sit on, I am so happy and thankful that I was able to accomplish my dreams within a short period, I am grateful that GiveDirectly has lifted my living standard to a better and a higher level in my society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I used KES40,000 in constructing a new house, The house that I was living in before was small, I felt that with the growing family size I needed to at least build a spacious and decent shelter, I had been living in a small old house, receiving the transfer was a great opportunity for me to upgrade to a better one. I also managed to spend KES 10,000 on obtaining a sofa set, lastly, I bought a bag of maize worth KES 3000, as we had been buying in small quantities all along from the nearby market at a bit higher prices compared to the bulk we just obtained. I am thankful for the support that has lifted my living standard to a greater level.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My ambition in life is to be a livestock farmer, I am currently a motorcycle rider within my village. On an average I get about $40 as an income. My wife is a housewife and expectant, my income is not enough especially now that we have a baby on the way. The Give Directly transfer will be of be of big help because I will use $800 to buy two cows, $200 for chicken so that my wife can later sell the eggs and support the family in generating more income. The livestock will be used in future as an investment for the children as they start school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Each day I wake up at 7 in the morning, take breakfast then head to work.I work as a motorcycle rider within my village and the next.i work during the whole day till evening when I head home, eat and rest. The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I know I have an income and there's food on my table.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is financial strains. My income per day is about $400 which is not enough to sustain my family's basic needs and pay for my wife's dowry.