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 > Mwenda's Profile
Mwenda's family
Mwenda
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
66
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 different than how it would have been because I am now sleeping in a decent house. Previously I used to shelter under a small house whose condition was poor, and day by day the condition worsened. Its roof is dilapidated and leaking excessively during the winter seasons. These were the worse days of my life. I had to seek shelter from neighbors becasue I could not afford to buy the materials required for the renovation leave alone constructing a new one. Also, the few goats that I am currently keeping in my compound have started reproducing and soon I will have many of these. I will decide on whether to start a business through them or exchange for a dairy cow once they multiply. I wouldn't have achieved all these if it were not for the financial support.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in almost everything in my village. First of all, there was no discrimination of either tribe, religion, or even gender. We were all enrolled fairly and freely and we received the money as promised during the Barraza. I do not see any sector that GiveDirctly has to improve on.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer in buying some beddings such as a new wooden bed and a mattress. This was to replace the old traditional beds that I wasn't comfortable with and I could complain of some backpains. I can now sleep comfortably and getting sweet dreams. Also, I bought sem building materials such as iron sheets, building nails sd timber. This was purposely for the construction of a new house because becasue the initial one was in a bad state. I lter bought two goats as living assets that I can depend on that I can lean on anytime. With the remaining amount, I bought new school uniforms and enough foodstuffs for my family
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at the farm preparing for the next planting season when I heard some of my village mates celebrating and praising the Lord. I definitely knew there was some good news. At that particular moment, I heard my phone ringing continuously. I decided to check the content of the notification. I could not believe what I saw, it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly that I had anxiously been waiting for. I was overjoyed and decided to go back home and plan on how best I can utilize the cash transfers.
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 am now a proud owner of a spacious decent house. It has been my dream to construct one but due to my financial status, I could not afford it. The previous one was a small hut that was almost collapsing. Therefore some of my family members had to seek shelter from their friends every night. Also, some of my properties had to stay in the open which was so insecure. This was so frustrating considering the fact that my children could not even study at night due to unlimited space. I am now a happy patent because GD has transformed my life positively and we are now sheltering comfortably under a decent house and my children have ample space ad time to study.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as several building poles, iron sheets, nails, and timber. I purchased all these with the intention of constructing a new house since the previous one was small and in poor condition. I also bought some new school uniforms and shoes for my children becasue the previous ones were old and torn. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying foodstuffs for the family which I believe the stock will take us to the next harvesting season.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to build another house because my current house is not spacious enough to accommodate my visitors when they come. When I receive the money I will use 40,000 shillings to build a two-roomed house for myself. I also intend to use 30,000 shillings to buy a mattress and bed because my current beddings are not in good condition. The remaining amount will be used for buying daily needs such as food and clothes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually go to the farm every morning and return home in the evening. I work in the hot sun and a lot of energy is drained and I become tired. I always look forward to evening because this is the time I relax and rest after a busy day. Evening is therefore the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a subsistence farmer I normally do the farming manually. During the harvesting period I get little yields because I can only manage to work on a very small portion due to lack of money to hire oxen which can plough a bigger piece of land.The food only lasts for two months then after that I get back to my daily hustles for food. Financial problems is therefore the biggest hardship in my life.