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 > Shida's Profile
Shida's family
Shida
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
35
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($457 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am currently content with the goals I have achieved so far,Give Directly has been of great help to my life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly has been of great help to me and my family,since I have always desired to have a stable means of income. My life has completely changed and I'm forever grateful for that.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time of receiving my transfers,I had just lost a nephew who was left under my care. I used part of the transfers to facilitate a decent burial for him. With the rest,I was able to buy two more cows for my farming business which has been a great boost to my income.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Because I rely on casual jobs, the highest amount of income I have ever received at once in my life is KES 20,000. So, while I was enrolled in the program, I was initially skeptical that I could be given such a large sum of money. As a result, when I confirmed my transfer, I was astonished; it was truly unbelievable. I was so happy that I could not continue with what I was doing. That was good news for me and my entire family. I was certain that our lives would be transformed for the better. Thank you for using GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having lost 4 oxen, I felt distressed and I had been wondering how I could get some oxen. This had been hard because there have been few jobs to do to earn a living. I am glad that I have bought 3 additional oxen with the GiveDirectly's transfer. Without the transfer, I would still be imagining what I can do to raise KES 45,000 at once to purchase 3 oxen at a go. I am super glad courtesy of the transfer, my family fortune has been restored, and moving forward, I shall embark on my plowing business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I lost four of my eight oxen as a result of the prolonged drought. This situation put a halt to my business of plowing for community members for a fee, reducing my income. Even though the fact that I did not have a steady source of income, I had planned to purchase additional oxen to help stabilize my sources of income. Fortunately, when I got my transfer, I decided to spend KES 45,000 on three oxen. I plan to use them to provide plowing services, toto supplement my income. Furthermore, the remainder of the transfer assisted me in renovating my three-bedroom house. I am relieved that it's now better than it was.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a farmer who practices both crop and animal farming. I lost all my cattles including my four oxen owing to the drought. I relied heavily on the oxen for my farming activities, with the planting season approaching, I am not sure whether I will be able to farm. I am planning to buy two oxen for 20,000 KES each using my transfers. They will help me in my farming activities thus I will be able to produce enough food for my family of four. The rest of the transfers will be used to take my wife to the hospital because she suffers from goiter and the doctor recommended surgery to remove the inflammation on her throat.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My wife has been suffering from ulcers for a long period. She also developed goiter and the doctor recommended surgery to remove the swelling. This did not happen because she is heavy with pregnancy. I am happy now because her condition has improved and this gives us hope as a family that all will be well with time. When she delivers successfully is when the surgery will be performed on her.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
After I lost all my animals as a result of drought. I resorted to charcoal burning to salvage the food crisis at home. My pocket around 3000 KES after two weeks. This amount hardly sustains our family's needs such as food. My firstborn who is six years old has not yet joined school because we are forced to prioritize food to school. We cannot send a kid to school with an empty stomach. Financial instability has been my greatest challenge ever since I lost all my livestock due to drought.