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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 > Joel's Profile
Joel's family
Joel
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
63
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($528 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Comparing my life now with the life I would be living if I had never received the transfer, it is very clear that there are very major differences that have come in. In the farming sector, I am currently a proud farmer, having both livestock and subsistence farming doing very well. I have also constructed and furnished my new house and welcoming visitors now is no longer as hard as before since I used to always borrow some chairs from my villagers; something which stopped as soon as I completed the construction of my new house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a very good job when they chose our village among the villages which we scheduled to receive money. The struggle had been though on our side and most of the people in the village had neither livestock, houses nor even better farming. Of all the things GiveDirectly did, I can testify that they were all good and we are still wishing that they could come again.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Upon receiving the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I spend the first part of it which was 35000 KES on buying a lactating cow and a calf, this was necessary to our household since we had been buying milk for such a long time and this was the only way we could stop it. I bought a sheep and a goat each 3500 KES with part of the remaining amount, two sacks of maize worth 6000 KES and used the final amount on obtaining new furniture for our newly constructed house.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Expanding my dairy project had always been my prayer but had not been able to due to financial constraints. Buying the four heifers using my transfers is so far the biggest difference in my daily life. As a result of this, I will be able to increase my income from the dairy project after these heifers start reproducing. I am also optimistic that one of them will be calving soon thus an increase in milk production. I will be using the income from this project for my children's school fees and to cater for my family needs.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I realized that I had received money from GiveDirectly in the morning while I was taking my breakfast. I had switched off my phone the previous night as I did not want any disturbances. Upon realizing the good news, I became so happy, prayed silently and asked God to continue blessing GiveDirectly so that they would continue touching other people's lives.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I do not have a formal form of employment as I depend on dairy farming to earn a living. I always work hard to improve my dairy project since this could stabilize my income. When I received my first transfer I spent the whole amount to buy four heifers. I settled on this so that when they reproduce, they will increase in number quickly. Also, my income through milk sales will increase as I will be supplying my milk to our local cooler plant. I will be using money from the dairy project to pay school fees for my children and to cater for our needs.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I practice livestock farming and receiving this money will help me expand that.I currently have 2 cows and one goat.I now want to start serious livestock farming by buying 3 cows and 10 goats.I believe this is a good source of income because currently crop farming is not doing well in this area.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I wake up healthy and strong enough to work.I spend the morning hours till noon in my farm where I have grown maize and beans.Afternoon is my time to relax.With my heart condition I cannot do a lot of work therefore I relax all through the afternoon after I have lunch.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have lived with a heart condition for very many years.It was discovered when I was 5 years old and now I am 62 years old.I used traditional medicine for a long time since my parents lacked money to take me for specialized treatment.This condition has prevented me from doing physical jobs whereas I am a farmer.This has limited the amount of money I get to satisfy the basic needs for my family.I have come to accept this condition.I just live with it through God's protection and I rarely visit the hospital.I only visit the local dispensary once in a while when I have a cold because the condition worsens at that time.This is the biggest hardship in my life.