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 > John's Profile
John's family
John
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
46
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($519 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The dairy cows bought are a great difference in my life. Enough supply of milk for my family and assets that are constantly giving me profit.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did so well in their teachings that opened up our minds on how best we could use the money received from GiveDirectly. There was a lot of transparency in how they conducted their operations and this explains the reason why there are no complaints from anyone about the transfers. On the other hand, I strongly believed that GiveDirectly could have done better if they were able to do their followups physically like they did their enrollment. This would have given them the right feedback on whether people used their money appropriately or they messed up with the little that they received. Giving a token of appreciation to those who put their money into good use would also encourage others who are yet to receive their money to utilize it wisely once they received.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used KES 20000 of my second transfer to buy a cow, used KES 10000 to improve my wife's business. KES 15000 was used to pay school fees for my children while the remaining KES 8000 was used to buy food and other basic household commodities. I chose to invest in livestock keeping since this is one of the most viable investment opportunities here at our place and which was going to be of great importance in enabling me remember about the unconditional support received from GiveDirectly. My wife has always been a great business woman and has been moving from one market to another selling cereals such as beans and she also had the desire to expand her business and even have a store in future where she can have one central selling point. After receiving this transfer it was a good opportunity for us to help us realize this dream by boosting her stock and providing variety to her customers which we did by injecting the KES 10000 to her business. The business has since improved and she is making some good profits that are driving her towards realizing her dream of having a store.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the dairy cow that I was able to buy. This has saved a lot of money that would otherwise have been used to buy the milk and therefore can be diverted into other meaningful family investments. My wife's business has also been boosted and she is now making more profits than she was making before we received this money. I am so happy and proud of my family altogether. All these has led to the improvement of the living standards of my family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. I had this unusual feeling of happiness and satisfaction that I had never felt before. The thought of having received a sum of KES 55000 could not sink into me well at that moment and for a while, I was lost for words. It was around 5:00 am in the morning and I received two calls from my neighbors confirming to me that they had also received their transfers. The whole village was extremely happy about the transfers and were making merry.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used KES 36000 to buy a dairy cow. For a long time we were buying milk to help feed the household and this was very costly to us. Having this dairy cow has meant that we have enough milk for local household consumption while we have surplus produce for sale. This has consequently meant that the living standard of my family has improved. I also used KES 12000 to help my wife improve her cereal selling business. This, I know shall make a great difference in our lives since we will be able to earn more profit from it and meet other family expenses much more easily than we have been doing. This is also to sustain the living standards of my family even post the transfers.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have depended on one dairy cow for a long time. Accordingly I have had challenges during weaning, especially with my children having to lack milk to complement their meals. Receiving this money will add a quality cow to my home. This is going to cost about $300 of my first transfer. This means I am going to have surplus milk for sale and for my children's consumption. Good nutrition for my children will promote their physical and psychological wellbeing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Whereas my wife runs our business of selling beans in market days around home, I am also involved in a motorcycle taxi business. Our days are packed with activities and we often get home around 7:00pm in the evening. This is the happiest part of my day especially catching up with my family on the day's updates about my children's day in school and my wife's in business.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My wife and I have been doing a cereals business for the last four years. With three children in secondary school our business has not been a bed of roses. Due to financial challenges we have had to depend on loans from people and microfinance. With high interest rates and business dynamics we have not been able to make much profits. Sometimes repayment deadlines catch up with us and the children's education is jeopardized. My hope is to get my own capital so that I don't have to depend on unreliable sources to run my business.