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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Anna's Profile
Anna's family
Anna
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Raising livestock
faceAge:
41
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($531 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has improved greatly since I started receiving transfers from Give Directly. We used to live in a grass thatched house that was not so decent. The roof used to leak during the rainy season. The walls were in bad condition and had to be repaired more often. But now we live in a very good semipermanent house. The roof is also covered with the iron sheet. The old house is currently used as a kitchen which also serves as a bedroom to my teenage daughter. She no longer sleeps at my neighbour's house. This used to bother me because walking at night was not safe especially for a young girl like her.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is doing a good job. The idea of giving out unconditional transfers is the best idea so far. According to the lump sum mode of transfer is the best because one can do several projects in a short period of time. I am a perfect example, I could not afford to purchase all the items I bought at a go were it not for GiveDirectly. I can testify that my life has improved greatly and will pray that they continue helping other people. In my opinion, there is nothing that GiveDirectly is not doing well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When my second transfers came, we approaching the rainy season. I decided to buy a water tank to help store water since water shortage in our village is a serious issue. We have only one seasonal river which is very far and dries out during the dry season. The tank would have saved me from the hustle of going to the river. I also spent part of the transfers to buy bedding. I have been sleeping on a mat and covering my self with old torn sheets. I thought it by buying myself a blanket and mattress I would prevent certain diseases such as pneumonia that I would have contacted if I could have continued sleeping on a mat. Apart from that I also bought a solar Plate which helps me a lot in charging my phone. The house looks brighter and I no longer spend on purchasing kerosene for the kerosene lamp. I also bought furniture, my house had only one stool. This made me feel embarrassed whenever visitors came to my home. I am glad about the help of Give Directly I was able to buy a few seats and a table. I am planning to build a house since the one I am living in at the moment is small and my kids are also growing and will need their room. I set aside a small amount to purchase building materials. I finally saved ten thousand shillings for emergencies.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($543 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Before GD came to my village, I had left my house incomplete for a period of six months. Since I was able to complete building it using my transfers, I am now happy and whenever I see it my heart is filled with so much joy and this is so far the biggest difference I have ever experienced in my life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the morning as I was going on with my daily activities when I received the money. At that instant, I became so happy since it seemed to me like GD knew that I was in dire need of help at that time. I then whispered a word of prayer to thank God for His blessings and I promised myself to give tithe as part of thanks giving.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfers, I took part of it as tithe since I knew that the money was Gods blessings through GiveDirectly. I spent part of the remaining amount in buying doors and windows to complete the construction of my house which I had left it incomplete for long due to lack of enough money. I also spent part of the remaining amount to buy some seats and a table since I did not have any and I did not want my sitting room staying empty. During the festive season, so many people usually buy new clothes. I am happy as my family was not an exception this year as I was able to buy them some clothes. I spent the remaining amount to pay school fees for my children.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always aspired to use tailoring skills that I learnt in polythecnic three years ago to earn a living,these transfers is going this possible since I am going to buy a sewing machine and rent a place to start this business.I am going to really make alot from it since no one here does that business and meeting my family's basic needs would be easy thanks to Givedirectly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually milk my 2 cows in the morning,take them to where they graze and thereafter take a litre or two to a nearby shop for sale,at around noon is when I am the happiest since it is then that i go collect the money from the sale of milk and use them to buy food for the entire day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Struggling to meet my family's daily needs is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life.My husband and I have been jobless ever since we got married we now have 5 children to feed,clothe and even cater for their education.We solely rely on jobs like weeding,cultivating and planting crops on other people's farms and sometimes we do our own small scale farming,all these are usually affected by drought which is a common phenomenon here thus not a reliable source of income.