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 > Kelvin's Profile
Kelvin's family
Kelvin
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
27
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kelvin's next check-in.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($349 USD)
access_time 1 month ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming years, my plan is to build a better house and ensure my children can attend a good school. My main focus will be on farming, as I now have a generator at home that will help me irrigate my crops effectively. With this new setup, I believe my farming will improve significantly. Currently, my house is made of grass and mud walls, but I dream of having a house with iron sheets that will provide better protection for my family. I want to create a safe and comfortable living environment while also securing a brighter future for my children through their education. With hard work and dedication, I am determined to achieve these goals for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did a great job by ensuring that their officers were not biased and were very professional when asking questions. I appreciated how straightforward all the questions were, making it easy for us to understand what was being asked. Throughout the process, I have not seen any weaknesses in your organization; everything was fine. The respect and care shown by the officers made us feel valued and important. Overall, I am very satisfied with the support we received from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The struggles of farming can be overwhelming, especially when faced with the challenge of getting water to the crops. Our farm at home was suffering because we had no effective way to pump water from the Perkerra River. Therefore, I decided to invest $320 in a generator, allowing me to channel water directly to my farm. This purchase was crucial for my ability to continue farming without the stress of drought seasons impacting our harvest. Furthermore, I used $70 to open a salon business for my partner, so she could have her own source of income while we support each other at home. With only one child to care for, it's important for us to find ways to help each other thrive. I also work as a farmer and casual laborer to make ends meet, balancing multiple responsibilities to provide for my family. Finally, I spent the remaining $60 on food since we had no capital for farming at the moment. Before this support, we relied heavily on casual jobs like burning charcoal to cover our basic needs. Unfortunately, floods hit and destroyed all my vegetables and green grams at the farm, leaving us feeling hopeless and depressed. Despite these challenges, I remain determined to make the most of the opportunities I've been given and build a better future for my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18240 KES ($142 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was outside my house, waiting for supper while my wife was cooking. Suddenly, I heard my phone beep with a message; upon checking, I had received my first transfer. Excited, I called my wife over and showed her the message. We both felt a surge of happiness. My first thought was of my tomato farm, which had been struggling with pests due to a lack of pesticides. Now, I could finally do something about it. The timing couldn't have been more perfect!
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before I received the transfer, I was constantly worried about my tomato farm. The pests had taken over, and without money for pesticides, I feared I would lose the entire crop. Every day I watched the plants deteriorate, knowing that if the tomatoes were destroyed, it would be a huge loss for my family. The transfer from GiveDirectly changed everything. I was finally able to save my tomatoes. The relief I felt was immense. Now, I don’t have to worry about losing the crop. I’m so thankful that this help came just in time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My half-acre tomato farm was infested with pests, and I didn’t have the money for pesticides. I have been relying on casual jobs and making charcoal, but the weather had made both limited—there weren’t many casual jobs available, and the wet grounds made charcoal production difficult. I used $70 from my first transfer to buy pesticides and finally address the pest problem. We also didn’t have enough food, especially maize, which is our staple. I had lost most of my maize crop to the floods, and the little that survived wasn’t ready for harvest yet. So, I spent $52 on maize and other food essentials. Also, our seating arrangements were a challenge too. We only had three plastic chairs, but they were worn out. I decided to buy three new ones for $30. I also gave my wife some money to go to the market and buy clothes for all of us. We’re a family of three, and we didn’t have many clothes, so we decided to get at least a new pair each that we could wear when going to town, attending occasions, or going to church.
 
Enrolled
access_time 5 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
When the floods hit our village Loldama two months ago, it was devastating. I lost my entire 0.5 acres of tomato plantation that I had worked so hard on. I had invested $200 into those tomatoes, money I earned from selling my goats. Seeing it all washed away was heartbreaking. I have been feeling so down since then. I earn just $4 a day from casual jobs, and every penny goes towards putting food on the table for my family. There has been no way to save up to restart farming. But now, with the expected transfers, there is a glimmer of hope. I am planning to use $450 to replant tomatoes on my land. I hope this investment pays off. My dream is to not only recover what I lost but also to earn enough to build a new house for my wife, child, and myself. Our grass-thatched house was destroyed in the floods, and we have been living in makeshift conditions since then. An iron-roofed house would mean so much as it would give us security and comfort. I am determined to make this work.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As the breadwinner for my family of three, it has been a constant struggle to keep us afloat. Despite the uncertainty of casual jobs, I am grateful that I have never failed in providing for my family. Recently, we faced devastating floods that wiped out my 0.5-acre tomato farm and damaged our household items. It was a tough blow. However, amidst the losses, I am incredibly thankful that my family remained safe from the destructive rains. It is moments like these that remind me of the importance of resilience and staying strong for those who depend on me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints are a real challenge for us right now. As a family of three, we rely on casual jobs like weeding, tomato picking, and charcoal burning just to make ends meet. The $4 we earn daily goes straight towards covering our household expenses such as food and clothing, leaving nothing left over to save. I have been really eager to invest in farming, but our current financial situation makes it difficult to move forward with that dream.