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 > Joshua's Profile
Joshua's family
Joshua
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
23
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($526 USD)
access_time 5 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 never received the transfer since I have bought a motorcycle which is of a great assistant as I am my own boss now and the profits have doubled hence I am able to provide my family's needs with ease. Therefore I have peace of mind since I no longer do extra hours like before when I was riding my employers' motorcycle hence I have enough time to spend with my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving unconditional cash transfer that has changed the living standards of the poorest households in my society. The consistency in conducting follow -up on each recipient has been helpful to reduced cases of fraud in the vulnerable recipients. I don't see what GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used to ride my employer's motorcycle where I was paid the commission of 300 KES per day. There were those bad days when I used to work extra hours and if I didn't make enough to settle the commission we used to disagree and to make the matter worse since the profits were shared, my share was not enough to sustain my family. I spent the entire second transfer I received from GiveDirectly on buying a motorcycle which is of a great assistant as I am my own boss and the profits I am making has doubled hence I am able to provide my family's needs with ease . I have peace of mind too and I no longer extra hours like before and I have enough time to spent with my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I'm now at peace with both my parents-in-law and my spouse because I was able to pay the dowry for my spouse. I'm now happy, and we are now stable in our family because there are no threats of the spouse going back to their place because I've not paid her dowry.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My day normally starts at 5:00 am and of the fine days while I was washing my face in preparation to go do my normal duties, I heard a message alert from my phone and I hurriedly checked what the message was about. To my surprise, it was a confirmation message that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy, hurried to my workplace and after I was done I came back home, shared the news with my spouse then we budgeted on how to spend the money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
We have been married for four years but since then I had not been able to pay my spouse's dowry despite the constant reminder from her parents because I couldn't afford. As a man, this really lowered my self-esteem. When I received the first transfer I bought two cows and a goat which I had already taken to my spouse's parents as her dowry. Aside from that, I didn't have a stable source of income and I could rely on casual work so a portion of the money I used to start up a business and I'm happy it's picking so well which has enabled me to meet my family needs with lots of ease.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my life is going to change because I am now going to pay dowry and buy a motorcycle which will give us our daily income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon after finishing my daily chores as assigned by my boss since am a caretaker and a worker in someone's compound.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is lack of adequate money to accomplish my education as per my wish since I am coming from a poor background,this has made me to live a very miserable life.