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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Richard's Profile
Richard's family
Richard
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
57
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53075 KES ($513 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?
As a result of GD transfers which I received, I am now financially stable. I do not have much but I am far much better than how I was before the transfers. I used to struggle because I only depended on a small income from casual work and odd jobs in the village. In most cases, I would not manage to handle all my family needs. I ended up having so many debts which were not giving me peace. With GD transfers, I was able to settle the debts and I feel I am improving financially because the transfers. I don't beg anymore and I offer loans to others too.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am very glad about how GD processed the payment. It was a promise that never took long to be fulfilled. This was really helpful in meeting our immediate needs. It was a good move by the organization. I do not feel there is anything that GD did not do well. I am happy with the whole process.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my transfer on leasing in a piece of land which I used for sugarcane planting. I had desired to plant sugarcane but due to low income from casual work and other odd jobs in the village, I was not able to achieve this dream. This is why I chose to lease the land so that I can finally fulfil my dream. I know when I harvest, I will have money to turn my life around. I won't struggle as I did in the past. The rest of the transfers I use to buy seeds & fertilizer which I used in the plantation. I am soon harvesting the first harvest and I know I will get enough to give me back the capital I used on the farm. The other harvests will be my profits.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am able to farm.This will sustain my life and I will be able to provide for my family. Besides that, I now have a comfortable sleep every night having bought a new high destiny mattress and a bed.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received this amount of money I was very. I will be able to revive my farming activities and as well put up a permanent house.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my transfer to purchase tomato and onions seedlings. Which I have planted in the seed bed. I also bought a new mattress and a bed because I did not have them. I used to sleep o a mat.The remaining amount I bought iron sheets that I have kept awaiting the second transfer so that I can put up a house.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I can finally build my own house as I am currently living in a house loaned to me by my neighbour. I will also be able to engage in horticultural farming, I intend to plant various vegetables, tomatoes,potatoes and cassava which I will sell and thus have a sustainable source.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I wake up and go to my farm. I often plant various crops or weed the farm, I love farming and so whenever I am doing farm work I am always very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I currently face is lack of a steady source of income. I mostly do odd jobs but these are not found regularly, this means that at times I hardly get enough money to buy food and often have to survive on one meal.