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 > Jane's Profile
Jane's family
Jane
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I did not have a good house, and the house I was living in was small and in poor condition. At the moment, I have managed to to live in a big house which I could never dreamed of. I was stranded with the child who is in secondary school because of school fees. This was after my son happened to had accumulated fees balance in school. I am happy now because I managed to clear the whole school fees, and have a peaceful mind.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has used a unique system of empowering the community by giving funds unconditionally. Everyone got the equal opportunity of accessing the money which enabled them to use in accordance to their economic demand. The economy of the area has also improved, and not only those who received funds benefited, but also those who were not lucky to get the funds benefited too. I noticed that nobody will accept to live in poverty condition, and they can do Wonderful things should they have money at hand. What the organization could have done is doing monitoring after the first transfer and to ensure that, only those who have properly used the first transfer are allowed to receive the second one. This is because, even though over 98% of those who received the transfer have put it into proper use, some have used it in a none beneficial activities like alcohol and so forth.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used the second transfer to buy 30 bag of cement, to repair my house and remaining amount I used to pay school fees for my son who is learning in a High School. I used the first transfer to build a new house, but the money could not facilitate the completion of the house, therefore, I used the second transfer in doing plastering of the house. I also have a son in Secondary school but I had outstanding fees balance of last year. Now I am sure that my son will be able to attend classes without being sent back home for school fees.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($540 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I feel so peaceful because I'm not worried anymore about how to raise my son's school fees because I have already cleared the term's school fees. This is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I woke up in the morning I saw a blinking message in my phone. At first I thought it was a message from Safaricom but when I opened the message I was surprised to see a confirmation message that I had received money form GiveDirectly. It was such a joyous moment and I couldn't take a shower, instead I washed my feet and left for town to purchase the seats.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I only had four seats which were given to me by my mother-in-law which couldn't fit my large family and my children had to sit on the ground during meal times. The moment I received the first transfer I used a portion of it to purchase nice modern seats that fit my family. A portion of the money I paid in school for my son who is in secondary school. I'm happy he won't be sent back home for school fees. In addition to that, I also bought a mattress to replace the worn out mattress I had which was so uncomfortable sleeping on.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money makes me so happy. Currently I have a son who is in form one. He is always sent home for school fee arrears. This hinders his study. I will therefore save my transfers and use it to pay for his school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am having dinner with my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I face is lack of a better job to get better income. I am a small scale business person who sells vegetables within the village. The income I get from this business is too little to be able to provide for my family's needs like food and clothing