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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 > Johannes's Profile
Johannes's family
Johannes
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
74
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($524 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would have not managed much without GiveDirectly. My business would have closed down due to lack of stock. We could be going without meals.I am too elderly to offer casual labor in sugarcane plantations as a source of income that needs physical energy.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does not discriminate people on the basis of religion, ethnicity, age or sex. It has given everyone an opportunity to escape poverty through unconditional cash transfers. However, for elderly people like me, it would have thought on additional transfers.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I had a small scale business that was not doing well due to lack of enough stock. I used the transfer in restocking the business and now I can serve my customers with confidence. I do make more profit than before and this gives me the joy and courage to work harder. Nowadays, I find it easier to provide for my family since the business is doing better. I gave some money to my wife who has started on some business. This has become additional source of income for the family and kept her busy. I usually admire her when we share our experiences with customers and the profit realized. From this, she is also capable of supporting the family which has really reduced the burden on me.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the money is that my business has improved a lot and so is the income thus I'm to comfortably meet my family's needs.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment when I received my money, I felt so happy because this was a miracle to me since this was the first tie in my life to receive such an amount of money at once.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
My grandchild had school fee balance, so I used part of the money I received from GiveDirectly to pay for the school fee. Part of the money I used to purchase both bed and a mattress to replace the old worn out bedding we had. I also leased a piece of land where I'm planning to use for farming because I do not have enough farm. A portion of the money I used to restock my business and it's now doing great.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this transfer means a positive transformation in our lives. We shall spend our money on rearing livestock for milk and also as a way of investing for our future generation.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am together with my family. I rejoice whenever we share meals together
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I currently face in life is difficulty in educating our children. My wife and I are both physically disabled hence we are always struggling to earn a living.