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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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Joan's Profile
Joan's family
Joan
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
27
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($464 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?
My next goal is for me to be able to construct a decent house for my family. I plan to achieve the goal by saving money from my business and the farm produces every month. I had bought building materials with my initial transfer, thus what is left is not much.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done amazing work in uplifting the lives of many people in our society. We can't ask for more, but rather, we are grateful for the tremendous support that impacted our lives hugely. In my interaction with the GiveDirectly staff, I have not witnessed any inefficiencies.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
School fees have been my major worry, this is because I have two children who are both in school. Upon receiving my transfer, I saw the need of prioritizing their school fees so that they could comfortably study without being sent home to collect money in the middle of their studies. Thus I used KES 29,000 in settling the arrears. I had started constructing a pit latrine before but it was incomplete due to lack of funds since I depend on my business to earn an income yet it was not reliable, therefore, I used the remaining amount in building a decent toilet. I am so thankful that the transfer cane at the right time of need where lifted our lives amazingly.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I receive money from GiveDirectly I felt so happy. I remember it was around 8 am. I was on the farm cultivating my crops. I went back home around 11 am. When I was just relaxing I checked my phone, little did I know there was a message from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. I immediately inform my spouse and he was so happy too. I knew I would be able to purchase a donkey. We are so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
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 purchased a donkey. I used to walk for a long distance to collect water for domestic use. This was so tiresome and time-consuming. I had always wished to own a donkey but I didn't have the money to buy one. I depend on casual jobs and small-scale farming at home. I had no extra source of income. My spouse too does casual jobs and the amount of money that she gets is so small. I could go to fetch water from the river two times a day. Due to the long-distance, I was not able to do any main work because I was so tired. Currently, I have purchased a donkey, it's so simple now to collect water from the river. I wake up very early in the morning and collect the water, this can last me until the next day. I no longer get tired, I save time. I can work on my farm unlike before. The donkey has eased the collection of water since it carries a hundred liters of water at once. I am so grateful for the support from GiveDirectly has changed our mode of working.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly to purchase a heifer. This will enable me to cut the daily cost of buying milk when it reproduces in the next few months. I purchased a donkey for carrying water from the river. The distance from home to the river is so long. This has also enabled me to save time. I paid school fees for my children in primary. I no longer worry because my children are studying well in school.The rest of the money I bought was food and clothes.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am very passionate about business and given an opportunity I won't hesitate to venture into it again. I had started it but it went down because of lack of capital. My interest has been buying and selling clothes. The challenge that I face is inadequate capital. Granted this money I will spend Kes 100000 to buy stock for business and the rest to pay for rent.Business is where my mind rests and is all the time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the morning when I am still fresh and energetic. Other times I get tired after engaging in the day's activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My youngest boy had suffered a problem with the lungs and it bothered me a lot. It is a condition that weighed down on me. We went to several hospitals seeking medication. As a parent looking at your son suffer a rare disease and in pain is not easy.