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 > Steven's Profile
Steven's family
Steven
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
31
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($512 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I stayed in a squeezed rental house for a longer period of time since it was what I could afford based on my meager income. It was hard to maintain privacy especially living with my children who were growing up and very inquisitive. My life is different after using GiveDirectly transfers to build a decent house because I am glad and peaceful as I have different rooms that fits each one of us. I no longer share the same sleeping room with my children. I also don't shy away to host visitors like I did before where I was embarrassed with my living status at that time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by sensitizing the villagers at the community entry level and clearly stating their intention and how there operations will be held. This reduced propaganda and misconception which had a raised before.The fact that beneficiaries were given the freedom of using there money was also awesome. GiveDirectly didn't do wrong at their work.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on buying decent seat since the ones I had before were burn in a fire that had broke out accidentally were I was staying earlier. I used 15,000 KES on cultivation through buy seeds, fertilizers and paid workers. I paid school fees for my two children who are in primary school . The remaining amount I bought food and clothes for my family members.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I now have hope of building a much bigger and permanent house which would have only remained to be a dream were it not for GD.We are currently feeding much better than we did before because we used the money to buy basic requirements and food.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was such a great feeling that cannot even be described,my wife really wanted to scream but I asked her not because this would be alerting the neighbors that we had received it which would compromise our security.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a lager portion of the money I received to purchase building materials that I plan to use to build a much larger permanent house in my home village. I will use the next transfer to complete the building process.I spent the remaining amount to purchase other household and personal items such as clothes for my children.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improvement in our living standards. I plan to buy clothes for my children and build iron roof house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when working in my Shamba. I do get my vegetables from there.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life was that my wife was very sick and I could not raise money for her treatment since I was just a casual worker. The condition made her physically challenged.