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 > David's Profile
David's family
David
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
38
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($521 USD)
access_time over 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 money from give directly I could not have managed to plant rice in one hectare of land that I have never done in my life. I am very sure once I started harvesting them, my life will definitely change because I am sure I will get enough money out of it and spend the money to catter for my family needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion give directly did well in allowing people to make their decision about the program they we not forcing any people to get enrolled. Their process was also free and fair, there was not corruption.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent most of the cash transfer to lease one hectare of land where I have planted rice in a large scale. I have never planted rice in that scale because I had a very small farm and even a part from having a small piece of land, I was not able to cultivate a bigger portion of land using my own hands as I used to work before when I had a small piece of land. So also hired a tractor that tilled the whole farm being that it was too big that I was not able to caltivate it using my hand. I am very grateful to give directly for helping achieve my dream of longing to plant rice in large scale. I am very sure of getting enough produce that I will sell to the community and act as a source of income for my family expenditure. The remaining balance I spent to start animal rearing by buying heads of sheep. I thought of starting livestock keeping because I am planning to use them in future by selling them and spending the money to pay school fee for my children who is soon. I will not wish to bother people to support me paying for my children school fee nor do l wish my children to drop out of school because of lack of school fee.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($535 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I have changed a lot and this is even noticed by people who visit me. The comments they make encourage and also remind me of how bad I was doing before I received the money. I have a stronger house- a house that someone can sit inside comfortably and not see him/herself close to death fearing that it can collapse on you anytime. I am stress-free.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I never saw the Mpesa message at the time it was sent but only realized the next day in the morning at around 7 am as people were so excited and everyone was asking someone if they had received the money. That is when I went and checked my phone. I had received 55000 KES from GiveDirectly like the others too. I was so happy and immediately started to calculate on mind how I was going to spend the money. I lacked alot of things in my house and receiving this money meant that atleast almost all my problems were over.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I had a very dilapidated house that had been destroyed by the rains given that it was made of mud and this made it so delicate and fragile to the harsh weather conditions. Every time, I got scared thinking that it may collapse. This would make me a refugee in my own community. Something that was very devastating. I was also worried it could cause death more so if it falls on someone. Due to lack of money, I had not been able to replace it by building a better more secure house for my family, and when I received money from GiveDirectly, I built my family a new house. I am now free of stress and worries of the house collapsing. This is not happening again anytime soon as I built a new house using most part of my transfer first transfer. I also invested some of the money on poultry farming. With this, I am sure of someone income that will enable me to comfortably sustain my family and meet basic needs.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a lot to me. I will use it to build a bigger semi permanent house for my family since currently we stay in a very small house that is not adequate for my family because their is no privacy.
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 income to cater for my family's needs like paying school fees for my children. I get so little from my farming that I cannot afford to take care of all my responsibilities.