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.
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Completed
Newsfeed > Elijah's Profile
Elijah's family
Elijah
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
37
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($306 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year and beyond, my objective is to launch an animal trade business to enhance my income. My plan entails waiting for my goats to multiply, after which I will sell them and use the proceeds to start the business. I am optimistic that with time and dedication, I will be able to turn this dream into a reality.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly excels in conducting sensitization programs that provide valuable insights, particularly on financial management and safeguarding our funds. These sessions were instrumental in educating us about potential fraud risks and effective ways to secure our money. In my assessment, I didn't identify any areas in need of improvement because everything was executed effectively.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The support provided by GiveDirectly came at precisely the right time when it was most needed. It coincided with the drought season, when affording essential foodstuffs had become a challenging endeavor due to the adverse impact of the harsh weather on our farms. Therefore, when I received the assurance that I would receive financial assistance from the organization, I knew it would be a transformative moment in my life. I am married and blessed with eight children, and my wife and I rely on farming to make ends meet. Consequently, I spent $120 to purchase foodstuffs, addressing our most immediate need. Additionally, I used $60 to pay for my children's school fees, and I completed the construction of a house for them with $50. Finally, I utilized the remaining funds to acquire various household items and address other pressing needs. I am immensely relieved and grateful that we were able to achieve so much within a short period, which was not possible before due to the lack of financial resources.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($319 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I intend to invest in the livestock sector, God willing. This will increase the amount of money I make from the significant farming I have been doing. As soon as I get my next transfer, I'll start by purchasing two or three goats. As a result, this will assure me that my family will never go without anything, which will also give me peace of mind as a parent.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
According to me, GiveDirectly did well by offering us basic teachings on how to secure our cash from fraudsters, online scammers, and all sorts of thieves. This showed how much they cared about us and wished us well. I am not where I used to be because I have accomplished most of my dreams, which maybe would have taken years for me to achieve.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had a $50 debt at my friend's shop, which I had to pay off when I got the money. She vowed to stop lending me items anytime I needed them, so I feel at ease now. I would like to express my appreciation to GiveDirectly for coming to my rescue and helping me regain my composure. Additionally, I spent $66 on buying six iron sheets to build my four now-teenage children a new house. They formerly resided in a grass-thatched home, which some locusts had destroyed it. They either couldn't fit in my house, so they had to rely on my neighbours to shelter them every night. My pride became tarnished by this, and I felt like I had let them down as a parent. I'm glad GiveDirectly has made it possible for me to achieve my dream. I later paid fees of $70 for my daughter, who is in Form 1. After not attending school for days, she is now in class with her fellow students. Additionally, I spent $60 on a solar panel, which has helped light up my home at night. At first, I would buy kerosene or candles which was expensive. It is therefore a relief for my children. They won't have to struggle to stay awake while studying at night because they might occasionally be left in the dark. For them, this serves as inspiration. In addition, I purchased shoes for the children who have been walking barefoot to school. With the remaining amount, I bought food for my family of ten members. I am a substantial farmer, and in a day I earn around $2, which is not enough to feed my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES
access_time 10 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I have a clear memory of the moment I received a text notification indicating that I had been granted $200. I was at home, enjoying my midday meal when my phone suddenly rang. Upon checking, I was overwhelmed with joy and left speechless upon seeing the message from GiveDirectly informing me of the financial assistance. The support arrived at a time when we least expected it, and I felt an immense sense of gratitude. I immediately shared the news with my wife, who shared the same sentiment of gratitude and relief, knowing that we would now be able to pursue our goals. From that point on, we embarked on planning our next steps with renewed hope and determination.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The most significant change I have experienced in my daily life is the ability to provide enough food for my family, especially during the challenging drought season. This support has spared us from going to bed on empty stomachs and has brought immense happiness and gratitude into our lives. Not only has it ensured our basic needs are met, but it has also uplifted our overall living standards. I am truly thankful for the assistance that has made such a positive impact on our well-being.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Farming is our main source of income for my wife, our nine children, and me. When we received the transfer, our most pressing need was to secure food for our family. Therefore, I made it a priority to purchase a sack of maize worth $62. With the remaining funds, we bought other essential food supplies. The prolonged drought had made things challenging for us, making this support crucial and arriving at the perfect time of need. We are eternally grateful for the assistance provided, as it has alleviated our immediate concerns and brought much-needed relief to our family.
 
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
When I dropped out of school at an early age due to financial challenges, I opted to be a farmer. I do livestock keeping and crop farming but as a result of inconsistent rainfall, I left venturing into crops. For the past three years, my income has not been stable, and providing the basic needs for my family of 11 is an uphill task. Receiving these transfers will enable me to supplement my income and ensure food security for them. I plan on leasing an acre piece of land at an irrigation site and planting maize from which I project earning profits after four months. The rest of the transfer I will use to purchase school necessities for my children and pay for school levies. The transfers have come at the time that I needed them most and I am thankful to God for the chance to change our lives for the better.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The joy of every parent is to see their children leading a happy life always and it is their success that matters most. Proper education is what I desire for my nine children and I work hard to provide all the school necessities. Three months ago was my happiest because my first and second-born children passed their primary-level examinations and joined secondary. I am hopeful that the rest shall follow suit and be able to have a better life in the future.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The persistent drought in our area has been a challenge. For the past four years, there has been a change in weather patterns that have resulted in minimum rainfall during the planting season. Our farms have been unproductive all along and also livestock lack enough feeds sometimes resulting in them dying which is a loss in our income. As a result , we are forced to purchase water two kilometers away at a cost of $2 each day yet we earn $ 4 from casual jobs. The remaining amount is hardly enough to purchase food for my family of eleven.