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 > Safari's Profile
Safari's family
Safari
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
43
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($438 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Because small-scale farming is unreliable and has a small profit margin, my goal would be to expand it into an agri-business. To realize this dream, I intend to invest in a village table banking group to attract loans in the future. This, I believe, would be beneficial and would provide an additional source of income for our family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization provided us with unconditional support without discrimination. They explained the program to us and gave us time to ask questions, which were answered thoroughly. I did not identify the areas that needed to be corrected or the things that were not done with integrity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My dream was to be able to buy a motorcycle so that I could transport farm produce. I knew this would make my job easier because I would be able to save time and money. However, due to a financial conflict, this was never easy. As a result, when I received my second transfer, I purchased a $400 motorcycle. I am a subsistence farmer who also raises goats. I am currently single and do not have any children. In addition, I chose to buy groceries worth $30 and later pay school fees for my nephew, who is frequently with the remaining funds. I am overjoyed and grateful that the transfer from GiveDirectly has significantly improved my standard of living.
 
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?
It was around 7 AM when I was at my daily hustle, (burning and selling charcoal) when my mobile phone started ringing so loudly. I had to go back home and seek assistance since I was illiterate. Luckily my elder son was around and upon checking, she realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I had finally received the cash transfers that I had anxiously been waiting for. I felt so happy and I remember calling all my family members and started celebrating.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have a new house for my nephew. Being his guardian I have been trying to make ends meet all along but I was not able to acquire the required cash to build him a house. Therefore because mine was very small he used to shelter at his friend's houses. It has been frustrating for me for a long but I could not do anything since I depended on the charcoal business which was not lucrative. On a good day, I could earn KES 150 which was not even enough to cater to all our basic needs. I am so happy that we now have a decent house which also has an extra room that serves as a store and a kitchen. My nephew no longer has to worry about a place to shelter and we can now preserve our properties safety unlike before whereby we used to used to keep them under trees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying building materials such as iron sheets at KES 12750, nails at KES 1000, timber at KES 4000, and the labor charges of KES 6500. I had intended to construct a new house for my nephew who had been sheltering at his friend's house because mine was very small. Also, I bought two beds and two mattresses for a total of KES 25000. These were to replace the old mats which I was not comfortable with. I used to experience lots of discomforts and difficulties which have been affecting me health-wise. Later on, I cleared school fees of KES 2000 for my nephew who has been on and off every semester due to the accumulated balance. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my two family members and I am grateful that nowadays, we no longer skip meals like before.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better education for my nephew who was left by her late mother under my care. The child is currently in primary school hoping to sit for his final exam in early next year. I plan to take him to a school of his choice as per his marks from the final exam. With the second transfer, I plan to buy beddings currently, I sleep on sacks and wooden roped beds. I am not comfortable with the beddings I cannot invite friends and relatives. Buying the beddings will boost my self-esteem and I welcome anybody to my house. I rear cows and I have two bulls, I plan to buy a plough which will help me cultivate huge lands and rent at a fee to others.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had stayed for two years without a phone because I had misplaced it. Two months ago I bought a new smartphone, I had not used a smartphone my entire life. Using a smartphone for the first time brought joy to my life, I wanted everyone in the village to know I got one.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Not having a stable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing. I am a substance farmer and with the pronged drought, I was left with nothing to do. I had to start cutting firewood and burning charcoal which I was not used to doing. This has made me sleep tired and not being productive. The revenue I used to get KES 1500 per week cannot cater to food and water. This worries me because I sometimes eat one meal per day or even sleep without eating.