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
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Simon's Profile
Simon's family
Simon
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
48
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($478 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?
After settling school fees for my children, constructing a new house, and also buying a cow, I still feel that I have an additional goal that I never had before receiving the transfer. At the moment there is a great demand for maize in our community since everyone buys either maize floor or dry maize grains from the market and later takes them to the posho mill. This is a great opportunity that I would wish to capitalize on as it is a potential source of income through profits.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, the decision by GiveDirectly to visit every household themselves during enrollment was the best as they got to see exactly how every member of the village lives. This has been the best project ever in our village as it had a lot of fairness, no one complained after and even at the moment, everyone is happy with the great work that has been witnessed in every household.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On receiving the second transfer, I was eager to complete the pending projects that I had left hanging after the first transfer. The construction that I had started needed to be furnished and had to spend KES6000 on it and since I had other new plans, I had to purchase a heifer at KES15000 that I am currently glad to rear hoping to soon start enjoying some extra liters of milk that will, in turn, be an extra source of income as I will be selling the surplus. I also settled school fees payment for my daughter who is currently in form three to allow her to study without being sent home. Since she had some areas, I had to pay a total of KES13000 that cleared all the areas and also the current term's fees. With the remaining amount, I purchased school uniforms for my three kids who are currently in primary school and foodstuff for my household.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($506 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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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 10.00 am in the morning when I heard a ringtone message from my phone. I was busy at the construction site and I didn't expected any messages. I just ignored it and continue to work. When I check my phone later I could not believe my eyes. It was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and immediately rush home to inform my family. They all celebrated and we immediately plan on purchasing the building material the same day. We are so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly enabled us to own a better house.
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 build a better and spacious house for my family. I used to live in a small grass thatched house which cannot host all the family comfortably. I depend on small scale farming and casual jobs in the village and sometimes to get this jobs is hard. The amount of money that I get through this is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs of the family including paying school fees. I had no savings to buy the building material. The small grass thatched house was almost falling apart. This was so risky for us. Whenever I had visitors it was so stressful because there were no space to host them. My children could spent night at the neighbor's house. This was risky because they could walk during the night after taking supper. Currently I have started building a better and spacious house. We are moving in in the next few weeks this will be the best thing in our lives. My children will get enough space for doing their assignment without any disturbance. I will do no longer shy off to welcome visitors to my house. GiveDirectly has enabled us to own a better house and change our living standard to be much better than before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on building a better house. I used to live in a small grass thatched house which could not host all the family comfortably. I also paid school fees for my children in various schools. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a lot to me because I have an ambition of being a large scale farmer earn an income from it and invest in my children's education. As the bread winner of my family, who works as a casual labourer, I am not always fortunate to be called for jobs daily. On the days I work I only get $3, I have 4 children in school and paying the school fees has been a struggle. My children get sent home on a regular basis because of fee arreas. So most of my transfer will be used in providing better education by paying school fees and built a bigger house which can accommodate my large family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when my whole family is gathered for a meal and I get to learn one or two things from my children who are in school. I care for their future and seeing them learning is what motivates me to wake up each day and look for work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship in my life is unemployment. I was not fortunate enough to study and only went upto class 2 because my father was very cultured and did no believe in formal education, he forced us to quit and I would herd our livestock. Not having formal education has caused me a lot, I can not go out of the village to look for jobs, instead I only do casual jobs in people's farms and get paid very $3 per day. I believe if my children get education they will be able to get better jobs and support me in future.