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 > Chengo's Profile
Chengo's family
Chengo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
77
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($465 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, I have a goal that I developed while spending the second transfer and I am determined to accomplish it. If I get some money no matter how little it will be, I have a plan of saving till it reaches the amount that will enable me to build pillars and skirting for my house to make it more firm.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly came to empower us. For quite a long time I can say we have been neglected by the people in power despite them knowing the hardship we are going through in this area. Thanks to GiveDirectly who through them I was able to get an income-generating activity. Using the first transfer that I received I bought a motorbike which is serving my family as a source of income not as before when we had none.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, the first thing I did as per my plans was to buy six goats for KES 19800.00 and cows for KES 14000.00. I bought these animals so as to start the long journey of livestock raring since it was my desire to have livestock. It is so unfortunate that one cow died during the drought season but this will not discourage me instead it gives me the zeal to source for more livestock. Thereafter, I opted to keep the remaining amount so that it could help us in buying some food and water since it was very dry and harvests did not do well as expected.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I suspect the transfer message came at night because I saw the message icon on the screen of my phone very early in the morning. I asked my grandchild to read and interpret the message for me since I do not know how to read. The message brightened my morning and the whole day at large. My heart was filled with joy when I realized that I had received the first transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, my living condition was not worthy of a human being. I used to some casual jobs to fend for my family and these jobs were not a guarantee. But since the time I received the transfer from GiveDirectly and purchased the motorbike, things have changed. Through the returns I get from the motorbike, I am able to meet and sustain my daily basic needs not like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time when I received the transfer, we were at a water crisis season. Our area was so dry and we used to travel longer distances to access water points at a cost of KES 50.00 per 20 liter bucket. Having that challenge, I decided buy a motorbike to aid me in fetching water as well as doing some business fetching some water to willing people at a price. Apart from fetching water, the motorbike is also used in ferrying people and small luggage from one place to another at a fee too thus becoming a source of income.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The first thing I will do upon receiving my first transfer is to buy cows at a cost of 30,000KSH. These cows will boost my farming acreage hence food security in my household.i will use the remaining money to renovate my house at a cost of around 20,000KSH. The remaining amount will help me to sustainably cater for my other basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the morning. When I wake up healthy and I have food to eat, my day will begin well.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food Security has been a big challenge in my house for a long time now. My age and the unreliable source of income has been a big pain since am unable to provide for myself and my family. On average, am able to earn about 1000KSH in a month. This amount is not enough to cater for my health issues and other basic need.