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 > Irine's Profile
Irine's family
Irine
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I solely depended on subsistence farming which was not enough to feed my family. Here, the weather is unpredictble, so you have to hurry to catch up with the rains at least to enable you to plant and harverst on time. Now, I am supplementing this with livestock keeping. Were it not for GiveDirectly, I would still be struggling to compete with the rains without an option. I will be able to increase my productivity and I, therefore, expect to earn a profit in return.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
A friend in need is a friend indeed. We have been receiving aid from the government and other organization. What I have seen from GiveDirectly is totally different, from the enrollment up to pay in our account directly. With other organizations, there are middlemen, before any assistance comes to you it is syphoned to their accounts and you either get less or nothing. In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done nothing wrong other than to directly impact on poor people lives positively.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer in buying livestock, two bulls and three goats. I will use the bulls for ploughing my farm. Initially, I was using a hoe to till my farm which was expansive, this was taking a lot of time and energy. This meant I had to get up early and leave the garden late so that I till at least a big portion which was not enough still. With the bulls, I will be able to till my farm on time, something that was not happening before. My harvest will also improve too which will increase my farm productivity and earn me more profits. With the goats, I would want them to reproduce and sell them in future to support my children education. The other part of the transfer I am spending on food for my family consumption. During this period, I have been able to feed my family with ease.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($538 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning the pair of oxen was a great achievement to me since I didn't own and now that I can hire out to others at a fee also will provide a source of income during the planting season. By this, GiveDirectly has changed my life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I never expected any change, as I imagined the normal mornings of waking up and painfully looking for a casual job. It never occurred to me that one of my mornings would be graced by such an amazing message from GiveDirectly that I had actually received my first transfer. On that morning, things were different due to the happiness and joy that welcomed my new day. I thanked God and GiveDirectly for the blessing of this money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I have been really experiencing hardship in doing my farming and since I applied much effort in land preparations and due to the fact we were using tools that are tiresome and time-consuming. With much pains, we toiled but the yields were not pleasing at all. At times we couldn't finish our whole acreage and I was always late as far as farming was concerned. I am now happy that I've purchased a pair of oxen which I believe will enable me to do early land preparations and promise robust harvests. With the oxen also I will be able to hire out to people in order to earn some income from it. I also bought 3 goats, that I can keep and I trust that they will reproduce and I can able to sell them in future and use the money obtained to venture into other profitable projects. I also spent some cash on buying food for my family since it was a challenge to me, considering that at times we used to sleep without having a meal.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my life will change for the better. I will be able to buy three dairy cows that will produce milk for sale to earn income that will sustain my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I wake up. Seeing my family in good health makes me very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is not having a stable source of income to meet my family's basic needs. I have been struggling to feed my family.