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:
63
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Safari's next check-in.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($517 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was awakened by a loud vibration from my mobile phone which was so unusual. I decided to check it out to confirm the content of the message. Upon reading it, I felt very happy since GiveDirectly had sent me money they had promised during the enrolment period.
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 now keep goats in my compound. For all those years now, I have been longing to buy them but I could not due to low income and other urgent family needs that needed to be taken care of at that particular time. I am now happy with the progress I have made because some have started reproducing and this gives me hope that they will increase in number within a short period of time. This also assures me that I will achieve all my goats through them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some livestock such as goats at KES 9000. These are the living assets that I can now lean any just in case of any financial difficulties. I then bought some iron sheets, and nails, building poles to build a store that I am currently using to store the stock for my shop. I then saved KES 20000 of the transfer as school fees for my son which I am planning to pay once the schools reopen. The remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying enough foodstuffs for my family and some other household items.
 
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
All in my life, I have wished to start livestock keeping as a way of long term project but due to the many challenges I face more so financially, I have never realized this dream. Receiving this money means achieving this long desired ambition since my plan is to spend $300 of my first transfer to buy 10 goats. This will mean a steady improvement of my livelihood since within a short period of time, they will multiply and make me a self reliable person. On the other hand, I intend to use my second transfer to repair my house by reinforcing it with stones to make it permanent something that will give our life a better version. Hence this is basically what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because at this time, I find myself more relaxed and the talks I have with my family members gives me the feeling of happiness. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I am busy doing my casual activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Charcoal burning is basically what I have known as my source of income for the family. This job is no longer reliable to me since trees are not abundantly available and due to the strict measures placed by the government, it has limited me from doing it because of the worries I have. Therefore, lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship.