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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Joseph's Profile
Joseph's family
Joseph
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
68
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($509 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if I had never received the transfer in that I am living a stress-free life. This is because I was able to complete the payment of the solar lighting system which I had acquired on hire purchase by paying $230 with my first transfer. Previously, I was being threatened by the lenders because I was about to default on the loan payment. Furthermore, I am planning to renovate my house after acquiring building stones.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in coming up with the program and the enrollment process was done in an open and fair and every household that qualifies according to the criteria was enrolled in the program. I did not see anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $230 to purchase one lorry of building stones this was for the renovation of my house since it was in terrible condition. I also used $30 to treat my livestock. In addition, I save the remaining amount which I am planning to use in buying cement, steel rods, and paying labour charges.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 4 in the evening when I received a message notification. When I checked its content I realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and thankful since It was my first time receiving such a huge amount of money which is nonrefundable
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having a dairy cow in my compound has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. I have been longing to keep it for quite a long time but I could not afford it since they were very expensive. I settle in buying it because since some of my children are still young, I had to look for a living asset that would help me generate income. In a few months to come, the cow will be producing milk and I will be selling them to my neighbors and save whatever I will earn. I believe the money  will help me in schooling my children and meet other basic needs. I am thankful to be among the beneficiaries of GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some livestock such as a dairy cow which cost KES 18000. This has been my desire to keep it in my homestead for a long but could not afford it. Also, I bought some building materials such as some bags of cement, sand, and bricks. This was purposely for the completion of my house which initially started contacting. I also bought a solar panel which is now helping me at night and charging my phone plus those of my neighbors at a fee.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am growing old and still have dependant who looks up on me thus I have to work hard to meet their needs. I primarily depend on mixed farming for my family needs. Receiving this money to me means added assets, better diet food and extra income. I am planning to buy livestock to add to my herd thus will have more milk for both family consumption and sales. I will also have calves that will always be my financial security.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a farmer I spent my entire day either looking after my herd or in my crop farm. I love doing it since this my family economic back bone. I feel so great the most in the evening when I am back at home after making sure I have accomplished my farm daily chores. This the time I can relax enjoy supper with my family and later retire to bed to take a better rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Though I majorly depend on farming, our climatical condition is not good enough to offers us good yields. In my family no year goes without us lacking food at some point. The hardest hardship I have ever faced in my life is lack of enough resources to support my family needs. Some years back I got myself into domestic conflict due scrambling of small trees in our community to burn charcoal in order to put food on my family's table. I deeply regret the incident but I couldn't let my family lack the daily basic needs.