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 > Joyce's Profile
Joyce's family
Joyce
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
35
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
One of my children will be sitting for her final year examinations in secondary school in the next coming month. It is my wish to see her through college and achieve her dreams of being successful in life. With this, I do not have any additional goals since I know that paying school fees for two children in secondary school and one in college will be an uphill task for me.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The decision that GiveDirectly made to give out unconditional financial aid that is not a loan is the best thing that they ever did. This is because it gave people an opportunity to realize their goals in life without worrying about what will befall them after spending the sent transfer. I did not see anything that I was not pleased with.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of three with all of them being in secondary school and I depend on my small business of buying and selling maize at the marketplace. As the breadwinner of the family, I have been facing financial challenges, especially in paying school fees for my children. Because of this, they're constantly home due to fee arrears. I am happy that the second transfer allowed me to clear the fee arrears of KES 24000 for my daughter in form four so that she would have ample time for her studies as she prepares for her final examinations. Also, I spent KES 20000 to buy a heifer so that I can be using money from the sale of surplus when it calves to support my children in their education and used the remaining KES 9000 to expand this business by buying more stock.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember it was around 9am. I was on farm cultivating when I heard a message tone from my phone. When I checked it out I could not believe my eyes. It was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and stopped whatever I was doing to celebrate. I inform my family members and they were so happy. I knew I would be able to pay school fees for my children in various school. GiveDirectly came at the right time when actually we need the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have paid school fees for my two children in secondary school. They were able to study well without being sent home like before. I depend on small scale farming and small business that earns me small profits. My children at some point were being sent home because I was not able to clear the school fees on time. This was making them to miss lessons and leads to poor performance. It was so demoralizing and stressful to see them at home while the others were studying. When I received money from GiveDirectly I paid all the school fees and they were able to study well without being sent hom. They have done their exams and I expect the performance to have improved. This had also given me pece I'd mind to do other activities without being stress up. GiveDirectly has changed my living standard. I hope for better things come.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 21,000 to pay school fees for my two children in secondary school. They were able to study well without being sent home like before. I bought a heifer at the cost of KES 20,000. This will enable me get enough milk when it reproduce in the next few months. I started a business of selling maize at the shopping center. I earn a profit to meet the basic household items. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a single mother. I was once married but we separated and I have 4 children. When i returned from my matrimonial home i was give a small piece of land to construct a house. So when i get this transfer I would like to purchase a piece of land for my children. I need around 0.2 acres of land. This will cost around KES 60000. The rest of the money will go to school fees since i have three children in high school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is day time. This is the time i get to interact with people; neighbors and relatives. I get to share out problem that I was facing and feel relieved.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship was when I separated with my husband. I have four children and I have to provide for their needs since their father is a drunkard. I used to rely on casual jobs where I used to work in tea estate but in April this year I was layed off. Since then life has been difficult since I had no other source of income.