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 > Paul's Profile
Paul's family
Paul
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
44
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After receiving my second transfer, I didn't have a new goal other than to accomplish the goals left after exhausting my first transfer.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly does well by improving the living standards of all of us in my village through giving unconditional cash transfers. My village at the moment has taken a new shape some with new houses, dairy cows, and most with adequate foodstuff which was not achievable before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my second transfer, I chose to invest in a dairy cow at a cost of Kshs.30,000.I opted to do this since with my family growing, I needed to ensure that they have enough milk production for consumption, and later when milk is surplus we can sell and use the extra income to settle other house bills. With Ksh, 6,600 I used to purchase one sit and also used to buy a ceiling. I am happy that my house looks neat I no longer fear to welcome visitors whenever they pay a visit to my homestead. I also used Kshs.2,000 to pay a debt that I had. This has also enabled me to be at peace since I no longer get reminders from the owner of the debt on when to pay.With the remaining amount, I used to obtain food for my family members.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I got a security job in a different county after enrollment and I left my account number with my wife and as I was going on with my daily activities, I saw an incoming call from her. I immediately picked it thinking that it was an emergency since we usually call each other in the evening. Upon receiving it, she jovially informed me that we had finally received the promised money from GiveDirectly, my heart was instantly filled with joy and I promised her that I would travel back to the village on the weekend so that we would go and plan how to spend the cash to transform our lives.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my children are nowadays so happy and this makes me happy as I no longer feel that I have failed as a parent. This is because they now dress well both at home and at school since we were able to buy for them new home clothes and school uniforms. In addition, their happiness is contributed by the presence of a dairy cow in the homestead and new beddings that have made them sleep well while knowing that very soon, they will have enough milk for consumption. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for transforming our lives and giving us a reason to always smile.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always been forced to buy milk from the neighborhood daily and I usually spend KES 60 on them which is expensive to me as I had to depend on any available casual work which has no stable income. On receiving my transfer, I spent KES 30000 to buy a dairy cow as an investment and also used KES 5000 to repay a debt that I had. I am glad that my family will always have enough milk for consumption and sale when it calves. In addition, I spent KES 8000 to buy some beddings and clothes since the ones we had were old and used KES 10000 to purchase enough food for the family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My family is growing and the wages I earn (KES 300 daily) from the casual job isn't enough to feed them . I intend to use KES 27000 to purchase a dairy cow hence use some of the milk for the household and sell the rest for income generation . I will further purchase 3 dairy goats at KES 15000 to boost the milk business . Additionally , KES 21000 will go towards purchasing bags of maize as my land hasn't been productive for a couple of years. Moreover , I will use the rest of the transfers on clothing for my children and to start a small business that will assist in buying food for the household incase there is none.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I have earned for the day from my casual job (KES 300) therefore I am sure there is food for my family .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Drought and hunger has been my biggest hardship. The climate has been unfavourable for my farm crops as it has been harsh and unproductive. I am left to depend on casual labour, which is not a guarantee, to feed my family. We at times stay without food, depend on one meal a day or sacrifice for the kids albeit my wife giving birth 2 months ago.This has impacted negatively on the health of my children has it has deteriorated.