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 > Bern's Profile
Bern's family
Bern
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Carpentry
faceAge:
29
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($525 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?
If I could not have received the transfer I could not have managed to invest in a lager scale farming as i did by hiring tractor to till my land using give directly's money, I could have just in used my own hand and till a very small portion. But now I am very happy I have managed to invest in a larger scale farming and sure of getting enough produce. I am very and proud because I now have my own television I do not need to go to the neighbour to watch news as I used to do before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion Give directly did very well by using M-pesa as away of sending money since it is very convenient because the M-pesa agent is almost every where and also very safe because it is not easy for one to know if you have received the money. They also did very well by not involving authority since it could attracted corruption.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent most of the transfer to hire tractor to cultivating my farm. I thought of hiring a tractor because I have been having difficult time when it comes to plough season because I had to use my own hand to till my land. This was very hectic and tiresome since the land is too big that I could not managed to till the whole of it. I was tilling very small peace of land and this was leading to low yield that could not sustain my family i am very happy because I managed to hire tractor and planted a very big land where i will get enough produce that will sustain me with my family. I also spent the transfer to buy television for my entertainment and being that i like watching news so much i thought it was a good idea to buy my own television to avoid inconveniencing people in their house by going to watch television in their house all the time. The remaining balance I spent to buy food for my family consumption and also very decent clothes from my children being that they did not have any decent cloth to put on when going for a faction or a visit.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($540 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to buy a welding machine and now I am glad that I get income that I use for my daily upkeep.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt very happy and at peace because I knew that I will be able to take care of my needs.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on purchasing a welding machine. I am glad that I started my own business, I no longer depend on casual jobs or employment where I was as a security guard. I also bought a television for entertainment and two bags of maize for the family's consumption. Part of the amount went on purchasing a bicycle since I was using my brother's and finally kept the remaining amount as savings for my daily upkeep.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I am going to own a cow and a sugar cane farm.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when being paid at the end of my casual work. I know that my family is going to get food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am facing currently is lack of stable source of income to support my family needs like food and education. I can not afford to buy a cow for milk hence we have to take tea without milk.