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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Completed
Newsfeed > John's Profile
John's family
John
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
45
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main goal at the moment is to pay the fees for my kids in Kamongil Secondary School, form three, whom I pay Kes. 20, 000 each for. 2 other kids are in primary school in class 7, 1, while the last is yet to start school. Educating them is my greatest goal.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
They make ones dreams come through by excelling at identifying people who need assistance and purposing to be the helping hand to save them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought a cow for Kes. 21, 000 and started a business in the shop I had built. I was able to stock it with the funds to allow me to start the business.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Receiving a message from GiveDirectly that morning brought forth a lot of happiness. On confirming that it was indeed the message bearing the good news about the transfer, I could not resist the urge to call back the hotline number. I needed to just thank the office for honoring the promise they had given in the past three weeks to support us. Even though the line was so busy that morning, my spouse encouraged me to try it more, and lucky enough it was picked and I was allowed to express my joy over the phone. This was a relief to me from the struggles I have been undergoing in settling all the financial obligations right from the school fees for my children, to the daily household foodstuff.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the relief I got after clearing school fees for my two children in secondary school. This had been giving me sleepless nights, and I had to consider it a top priority after receiving the transfer to ensure that my children get ample time to study for their examinations. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for this great support, and I am hoping to still do more with the second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My two children currently in secondary school have been struggling to catch up with the rest of their classmates since they have frequented coming home with the hope of getting their school fees. Their teachers have been sending them home almost every week and have been unfortunate as a family that we have never been able to raise enough money to clear their school fees. On receiving this transfer, we could think of nothing else but to clear a debt of KES18000 first. This has given them ample time and hope of regaining their original top positions in their performances. we also thought of the future investment and banking on livestock was the most appropriate option for us. I purchased a heifer worth KES17000 to add to the herd we had. We are hoping for a better future where we will not be struggling a lot as we still have three younger kids in primary school. We bought them new pairs of school uniforms at KES5000 and also cleared their tuition fees of KES3000. After settling all the school debts, we also considered obtaining a piece of furniture and KES3000, and foodstuff for the household and saved the small remaining amount to serve any upcoming emergency.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a bright future for my children. My two daughters are in secondary school this year and one is about to complete fourth year in high school. Since I want good and quality education for my children, I am planning to enroll her into a parallel university program in the coming year. Accordingly, receiving this money would enable me buy two dairy cows that will see these plans to fulfillment. I am projecting that getting a cow now would have multiplied in the next few years and will provide about 10 litres of milk per day for commercial purposes earning me KES 9,000 per day. This will make me afford quality education for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend most part of my day at my neighbours house where I work as a herdsman from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.When am done with work, I go back home to my wife and children. They always make me long for evening as it is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is financial constraints. I am the breadwinner in my family and the casual jobs that I do is hardly enough to meet all the basic needs and moreso school fees and levies for my children in high school. I have been struggling to make ends meet as the KES 200 per day I earn is just hand to mouth.