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 > Janes's Profile
Janes's family
Janes
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
36
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($529 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?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received the transfer because I now own cows which is a sign of wealth and dignity in my community. I use to admire my neighbour's cow and wished to have my own. I am optimistic that my cows will reproduce to fill my shed and I will be able to sell more milk and earn more income. I also managed to renovate my house which had become so weak and even fixed glasses to my windows which had stayed without glasses for two years. I now live happily and have a better source of income which is quite dependable as compared to the past when I would work on people's farm and earn very little at the end of the day.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in empowering the poor which as a result enables them to have at least some sense of worth in the community. Most of those of the people who get transfers from GiveDirectly uses the money so well to improve their well beings. On the other hand, I do not think there is anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to buy two dairy cows. I had longed to keep cattle like my neighbours but did not have enough money to buy some. I am so happy that I have my cows which in the near future will be producing milk for my family's consumption and as well as sell to earn some income. I spent the remaining amount of my transfer to renovate my house. The walls had become weak and were almost collapsing which was very risky and looked ugly. I bought some sand and cement to renovate the cracked walls and floor. I also bought and fixed steel windows which make my house look more beautiful. My floor is now strong and I do not anticipate it will not be swept away by floods as it used to happen in the past.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money makes me so happy. I will use it to build a poultry house so that I can start a poultry business. I will sell my chicken at the local market and in different hotels so that I can finally have an income generating activity.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am sleeping after a hard days work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I face is lack of a stable job to get a stable income. I depend on casual jobs yet they are never guaranteed. This makes it so difficult to plan for something because the pay is often so little that it cannot be enough to provide for my family's needs like food and clothing.