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 > Kajeni's Profile
Kajeni's family
Kajeni
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
47
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 totally different from how it would have been becasue I now have a pair of oxen that im rearing in my homestead. It is a relief to me becasue they will enable me to improve my farming activities and even plant my own farm in time. I am assured of reaping maximum yield and therefore have plenty of food for a longer period of time. Also, I am planning to hire the hire to my friends and generate an income. This will enable me topsy fir, my children, in time to avoid the distractions. Also, the house that I managed to construct has brought a positive impact on my life. The previous one was very small and we were uncomfortable staying in it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in all the sectors becasue no one was left our provided he or was a resident and meets the criteria they were using. Also, we were offered enough teachings on how best we would utilize the transfers and this really enlightened most of us since it was our first time receiving such a huge amount of money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on clearing huge school fees arrears for my two children whose one college and the other in seconds. They were both stranded because I had no idea how I would the required fees. To add to that, I purchased building poles, iron sheets, timber, and nails. This was for the construction of a new house because the previous one was in critical condition and almost collapsing. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for the family
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at the farm watering some vegetables then I heard my phone ringing. Upon checking, I realized that it was an Mpesa GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and decided to leave whatever I was doing and decided to go back home and celebrated with my family members.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having a pair of oxen has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. I settled in purchasing them purposely for my agricultural activities. Being a farmer I have been yearning to own them for so many years but I could not afford them since they were very costly. Therefore having received my transfers I decided to buy them. Previously I was using my own hands which were tiresome and I was not able to utilize the whole of my farm. This leads to lows yields which means in that particular seasons we would really starve. I am now happy becasue the pair will take fewer days in ploughing also I will be able to prepare the farm in time. Therefore I am assured of getting lots of harvests. I will also be hiring the pair to my neighbors at a fee and generate an income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some livestock such as a pair of oxen worthy of KES 34000. This has been my long time dream but because of financial difficulties, i could not afford it. I also clear some fees arrears for my daughters who are in college and secondary and the money came in good time because they were approaching exams. The remaining amount of money, I used in in buying enough foodstuffs for my family and some other household items.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Every parent wishes to see their children prosper in their lives.My two children stopped from their electrical training because the current life's condition did not allow them to complete their education. When I receive the money I will use 60,000 Kenya shillings to pay for their fees so that they can resume school and complete their training and be self-sufficient in future. The remaining balance will be used for our daily needs such as food and also to purchase five goats for future financial needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a casual laborer, I usually spend most of the time working. I work in the sunshine and I get tired. I am always looking forward to evening because that is the time I rest after a busy working day and share meals with my children from the income I got. Evening is therefore the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband and I work as construction labourers in our village. The income which we get every month is 15,000 Kenya shilling which is not enough to sustain our two children in college as well as take care of our other needs such as food. The situation forced my children to abruptly halt their education which affected their morale. Financial crisis is therefore the biggest hardship I have faced in my life.