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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 > Andrew's Profile
Andrew's family
Andrew
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
60
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($525 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it would have been had I not received the transfers because my first transfers enabled me to clear hospital bill for my spouse and do all the burial arrangements without selling the only piece of land that I had inherited from my parents since that was the only option that I had. Also, I was able to clear school fee arrears for my children without much difficulty thus enabling me to have enough time to look for next years school fees.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Gd did their work effectively in our village. The money that we received helped us to develop ourselves in different ways and I do see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 25000 from my second transfers to pay school fees for my children who had been sent back home. Also, I bought them school uniforms to replace the old ones that they had. As a way of investing this money, I spent 14000 to buy some sheep. I will be selling the offsprings and use the money to pay school fees for my children and in case of any financial crisis.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought ten goats. I had some few goats and It had been my wish to add more but I did not have money to do it. I used to do casual jobs in the village and the amount of money that I got through this could only gather for the basic needs of the family. I also do horticulture farming and I take the produce to school to gather for the school fees for my children in secondary school. Most of the time I could not get an extra income to invest in livestock because food and school fees could take all the money. When I received money from GiveDirectly I was so happy since I knew that my dream of investing in livestock had arrived. I am so happy because I have them now. I have hope that in the near future they will have reproduced and I will sell them to buy a dairy cow. This will be a source of income because I will be getting milk for both household consumption and to sell at the center near home for more income.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember it was very early in the morning when I heard an incoming message on my phone. When I checked it I could not believe my eyes because I had never received such amount of my money before in my life. My spouse had passed on that week and we were still planning for the funeral. My family was so happy to have gotten a handy hand at the most difficult time of our life since we knew that the funeral arrangement will be easy because we had money to buy food for the visitors and to pay hospital bills.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
My spouse had not been feeling well and had been admitted in the hospital and Unfortunately, she passed on. I used part of the transfer to settle her hospital bill without much struggle and on her funeral. l used a portion to pay fees for my three sons in secondary school. I spent part of it on my household basic and other daily needs. I also bought ten goats to add to my family assets and the rest of the money I used it to buy building materials in readiness of renovating my house to look smart.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live just across the forest where there is enough pasture for livestock.I have always desired to expand my dairy farming by buying two more cows to add to the two that I have.The milk that I will get from the cows will be a good source of income.The remaining part of the transfers will help me plant animal feeds which will help me feed the cows during the dry season.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a dairy farmer as well as subsistence farmer.After having breakfast I milk the cows then go and graze them till lunch hour.In the afternoon I go to my farm where I do a little bit of farming.I have grown maize and beans in my farm.I summarize the day's activities by milking the cows in the evening.I enjoy the morning hours while looking after the cattle since I get income from them.Dairy farming is my passion.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My wife has been sick for close to one year now.It all began as tonsillitis but it has affected the whole throat.Doctors say there is a growth in her throat.This has affected her ability to eat and speak.She just takes fluids and speaks with a whispering voice.This has really stressed me.She is currently in hospital waiting for the results of the tests she has undergone to determine the disease.My biggest worry is that it emerges to be one of the cancer diseases.I have spent a lot to cater for her medical bills including a loan I had borrrowed from one of the banks.I have sold four cows. I also have a plan of seeking financial support from family and friends.I have been forced to request my mother to come help me take care of the children since my wife is unable to do most of her duties here at home.This is the biggest hardship that I am facing in my life.