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 > Rutoh's Profile
Rutoh's family
Rutoh
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Teaching
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53075 KES
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
GiveDirectly has improved my way and standards of living in many different ways. Before I received these transfers, I had no dairy cow for the family and I spent a lot of money buying milk for household consumption. This has since stopped after I used my first transfer to buy a dairy cow. I have also been able to connect my home to the national grid of electricity and now we enjoy electricity like any other family in the village. This has even motivated my children to work extra harder following the installation of the same.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly was so transparent in how they undertook their enrollment. It was completely free from bias and all the households in my village were given equal opportunity to benefit from the transfers. Their operations were so perfect that I did not see anything wrong about their operations.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used my second transfer to buy a dairy cow worth KES 38000 and bought furniture and a TV with the remainder. I was motivated by the first cow that I bought that gave me a lot of milk and allowed me to save some good amount that would have otherwise been used to buy milk. I am optimistic that in the near future I will have more milk produced and sell the surplus to get that extra income for my family. Furthermore, in the coming days we can sell the calves that shall have matured then to get that extra income and support the family to meet any financial needs that may arise. I decided to buy the TV and the armchairs just to increase the comfort of my home for my visitors and that of my own family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($548 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I buy milk no more since we now have our own cow, this is the biggest difference in my daily life and i am much happy about this.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I first received the money I never believed and had to buy some airtime from Mpesa first and proceeded to ring my wife who celebrated on the phone.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
We spent part of our transfer in installing electricity in our household which was worth 40000 KES, bought a cow with 8000 KES , foodstuffs for my household and also clothing for my children.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My mother passed away when I was still very young, I was left in the hands of my old grandmother. Life was very difficult becauae she was not enable to look after us well but thank God He has really assist us upto now. This has been the biggest hardship I have faced in my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening this is the time I arrived home from work and finds my family healthy.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My heart has been longing to have something that I would not have at home. Receiving this money will help me these desires that I have always had like installing electricity in my house and also to purchase extra livestock.