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 > Joan's Profile
Joan's family
Joan
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
23
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have new goals now ever since I started receiving money from Give Directly. I had not planned on ever starting a clothes business, buying cattle or a piece of land, so this has completely shifted my goals because now I have a business to run and cattles to rear and hopefully hop into milk business soon.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly has been one of the few organisations that have brought alot of happiness,hope and financial breakthrough to the community without expecting anything from them whatsoever.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used ksh10,000 of my recent transfers to buy more stock for my clothes business that I started using the first transfer and we managed to buy two cows as well at ksh38,000. I also did food shopping with the remaining ksh 2000.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9.47am that beautiful morning while smearing my mudwalled house when I received the Mpesa notification from GiveDirectly. I was very excited and knew it was a Christmas moment for my family because that day we ate rice and beef.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is increased happiness due to availability of food in bulk of which I couldn't afford before because we used to rely on casual labor. My family is also now neat, and grown healthier than before because initially from casual labor we could only afford second hand clothes but with GiveDirectly transfers we can afford latest clothing fashion.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on a dairy cow which is now a source of milk for my family.This is because initially I had lost two dairy cows. The rest of the transfer, I spent on two sacks of maize, clothing and repayment of debts.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a diversified source of income. We solely depend on my husband for upkeep and I am only a housewife. Staying idle at home is the most stressful situation. I, therefore, intend to start a business selling second-hand clothes in the nearby markets. With an approximate cost of KES 40,000, this will start me off. This will reduce relying on one source of income and make a difference in my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the last 6 months, we have been living a healthy life free from illness and insecurity. Since we are living in a coronavirus pandemic time, none of my family members has become sick and this is one thing I am happy about and I give thanks to God.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is employed as a police officer and he used to earn an estimated salary of KES 35,000. He is currently servicing a loan that he took 2 years ago to buy land in the nearby village. Because of that loan, he earns a meager salary which is unsustainable yet we have 2 school-going children. Therefore, we are currently facing financial inadequacy in our family.