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.
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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Janet's Profile
Janet's family
Janet
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
29
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($442 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to build a new main house for our family. When we received the first and second transfer, we were able to build a new house for our two boys, buy a dairy cow and paid loans that were owed to us. We were also left with some amount which we used to improve our various businesses. Having done all that, we realized that we need to build a main house for us as a family. Right now we just have one grass thatched house apart from the boys house that we recently built. There is need to build a new house for us so that our daughter shall be sleeping in the current house we are living in as we stay in the main house. How we plan to do this is by using proceeds from a dairy cow that we bought and is almost calving. We are optimistic that it will produce enough milk for us as a family to sell and make extra income that will see us build this new house. Our daughter is currently forced to go sleep over in one of our neighbours house and I personally feel this is not good at all for her. We are focused and determined to make sure that we give her the neccesary support by building this new house soon enough.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did very well by giving us an opportunity to choose what to spend the money on. This has greatly improved our lives as a family. Looking at the newly built house for our boys and the cow that is almost calving really gives me so much joy. Our businesses that were performing dismally have been revived and we now have better living standards as a family. We are simply happy and very much grateful for the support that we received from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 5000 to build a new house for our two boys. Another KES 120000 was used to buy food and other needs for the family. The amount that remained was used to improve both my business and that of my husband. We feel so much indebted to GiveDirectly for the support that we received and fir all the things that we have been able to accomplish. My children had gone through a very difficult season having to go to my neighbours' house everytime to sleep over. The suffering was more intense whenever there were rains and this got me feeling very bad always. We did not have an option since the amount of money we got from our small businesses would give us just enough returns to make ends meet. We are so happy to see their house ready and them staying at our home all the time. Their security and comfort is very quaranteed.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in the kitchen making dinner when my spouse inquired whether I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly since other people in the village had received theirs. I informed him that I had not checked though I had heard my phone vibrating several times indicating that there was an incoming SMS. Upon checking it, my heart was filled with joy to realize that the money had been deposited into my account and he became so happy when I shared the news with him. We then agreed as a family that my husband would cash it out the following day so that we would start actualizing our goals.
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 dairy cow. Because of this, I no longer get milk from our parents and we do not have to sometimes buy some for consumption. It is almost calving and I believe that I will be earning money from the sale of surplus in the next few months.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We've been getting two cups of milk from our parents in the evening and we had to buy them at times when the milk was not enough and when our children needed some for consumption. This was costly to us since I depend on selling avocado, mangoes, and potatoes at our nearest shopping centers. The money that I usually get from this business was always ranging from KES 100 to KES 150 and it is not even enough to cater to our daily basic needs. When I received my transfer, I spent KES 30000 to purchase a dairy cow after using KES 7000 to repay a debt that we had. I am glad that I will soon be getting money from the sale of surplus. From the remaining amount, we spent it on food and clothes for the family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a grocery business in a nearby center called Chepkulul. I started this since it was affordable and I was available. I love it because at the end of the day I will be able to buy something for my family. On average, I take approximately KES 50 a day. I practice farming to help me meet our needs. I am lucky I own three acres piece of land. I am happy to have it though I feel it's underutilization. I have a passion for livestock farming and I have always dreamt of owning a big herd of cattle. With the overwhelming daily household needs, I have not been able to own any livestock on my farm. This cash transfer to me is a dream come true. I am planning to use KES 30000 to buy a cow. I believe this will be my breakthrough in life. I will be having milk from it for my family consumption and sales. This means a better diet in my family and income to save us from the financial crisis.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a mother of six who struggles to see that my family is healthy and happy. Our daily bread is always my priority. In the last six months, my maize plantation has been my source of joy. Looking at them each day gives hope. I am certain that when I harvest I will have plenty of food in my household.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is the major challenge I am facing. In the last four years, I have been in this business, I have loved it wished that I would expand it. I spend approximately KES 300 on my household daily needs. This makes it hard for me to save my profits to expand the business.