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.
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Newsfeed > Christine's Profile
Christine's family
Christine
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Christine's next check-in.
 
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 1 month ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Since I lack a source of income, I plan to start to expand my poultry farming business by buying more chickens when I get a chance. I believe they generate quick cash as it is easy to sell chickens and generate funds for my children's needs. I used to own a flock of chickens, but it was affected by a coccidiosis outbreak late last year, resulting in the death of some of them. However, I am pleased that the survivors have bred and increased the flock to 26 chickens. The profits from this business will enable me to provide school fees for my three children even after the cash transfers have ended.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I paid $20 in school fees for my child in junior high school. I have three children in school, and I usually aim to cover their school fees at the beginning of every term. Since I do not have a source of income, their father has been their sole provider. However, he relies on casual jobs, so the cash transfers have been instrumental in covering my children's school fees. Over the past three months, I have spent a total of $54. This enables them to have ample time in school and stay on track with their studies. As a result, I have noticed an improvement in their academics. Also, I bought a goat for $34 and two chickens for $14. Whenever I get the chance, I usually invest in buying chickens or goats. The ultimate goal is to later exchange these animals for cattle to assist with plowing activities. I am grateful that so far, I have acquired 26 chickens and 6 goats, all purchased with the funds.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Reflecting on the progress made, I'm pleased that the previous cash transfers have enabled me to acquire six goats, with two of them already giving birth to offspring. Looking ahead, my goal remains centered on building a sustainable source of wealth. As the cash transfers will one day end, I aspire to further diversify my livestock holdings by owning cattle, recognizing their potential for generating more income compared to goats.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I began receiving cash transfers, my primary goal has been to invest in goats as a means of creating a source of wealth for the future. Recognizing that the transfers will eventually cease, I believe that developing a sustainable source of income, particularly through livestock, is crucial to avoiding future financial challenges. In this regard, I have successfully purchased six goats, utilizing $25 from the recent transfers for this purpose. Additionally, I allocated $50 to clear the school fees for my two children, ensuring they start the next academic year without any outstanding balances. Another $10 was spent on buying school uniforms for one of my children, addressing the wear and tear issues of his old uniforms over the past two years. The remaining funds were directed towards essential household expenses, particularly food. This has been instrumental in supplementing my income from selling clothes door to door and has significantly contributed to meeting the needs of my children, alleviating some of the financial hardships.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year and beyond, I plan to invest my transfers in purchasing goats, which I consider to be assets I can comfortably keep. So far, I have purchased five goats that I am currently raising. I do not have a reliable source of income, so owning goats will provide me with a source of income. By selling the goats, I will be able to easily raise funds for my children's school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfers on purchasing a goat, food, and paying fees for my three children. I now have five goats, which I purchased after saving a portion of my monthly transfer. I plan to raise them, let them multiply, and then sell and exchange them for cows in the future. Furthermore, because I do not have a source of income, I can sell goats to generate funds to meet my financial obligations, such as school fees for my children. In addition to the goat, I paid fees, and my children were not sent home due to a lack of funds. I currently have three children in school, and they were able to continue their education because I paid their fees on time. This provided me with ample time to plan for future term payments. Finally, I spent some of the money on food for my children, ensuring that we had enough food to last several weeks in my household.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
It had always been my wish to get from the level I am to a greater level in life. I want to have a cattle-rearing project and to achieve this, I would start by buying goats and chicken, keep them for some time and later sell and buy cattle. I believe that the project would be of help in terms of milk production and farming.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Three of my children had school fees arrears and I did not know how I was going to settle the fees owing to the fact that I had no source of income. With the transfers that I received, I managed to clear their balance of KES. 1700 and spent the remaining amount of KES. 1770 on food because this had also been a major challenge for me.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my recent transfer on paying fees of $10 for my daughter who is in her third year of secondary school. She was about to be sent home because of the arrears and I was so worried considering I did not have even a single coin in my account. I am happy she is now in school studying without any distractions. To add to that, I bought a chicken which serves as an asset that I can readily depend on. With the remaining amount of money, I have been buying food for my six family members.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly thought well to give us cash and let us decide on how to spend it. I have witnessed people improving their lives in different ways. Most of the people who did not have a reliable source of income have opened up businesses while some of constructed houses. We appreciate the support. On the other hand, we would appreciate if our monthly transfers can be increased to 10000 KES. This will be a good amount of money that can result to great output when invested.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time when I received the recent transfer my daughter who is in secondary school had stayed home for 3 days because I did not have any money to give her for her fees. I sell small fish but the 150 KES profit that I make from it can barely afford a whole day's meal considering the current rise in food prices. We never expected the money at that time and I also had no idea where I could get money for her school fees. It was a lifesaver and the moment I received it I transferred it to the school's account immediately. I am glad she was able to sit for her end-term examinations.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a text message after putting on my phone very early in the morning. A few minutes later, I received a text message which showed that I had received my first transfer. My heart instantly filled with joy as I ululated at the top of my house. As a result, I woke up my children who were asleep, and shared with them the good news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
For the past year, jobs have been scarce to find, leading to low income. Currently, I received two calls on average each month to attend to sick animals. I earn very little, which makes me struggle to provide for my family. Receiving my transfer and paying school fees for my son is the biggest difference that the transfer has made in my life. This would not have been possible and my son would not have gone back to school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my first transfer on buying 3 chickens at KES 500 and spent KES 650 on paying school fees for my son who was sent home because of school fee arrears. I am a veterinary doctor by profession. The emergence of the drought three years ago affected my job. Many people lost their livestock, leading to the loss of my source of income. I am now stuck at home raising my livestock and cannot provide for my family. Therefore, when I received my transfer, I bought the chicken to start a poultry project. The project will be an alternative source of income for me now that I am jobless. I paid school fees for my son so could go back to school and continue with his education.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In considering education as key to the success of the future life of the young ones, it is my responsibility as a parent to ensure my children get the best out of it. However this is not the case. In as much as I struggle to make sure the two boys snd three girls do go to school, they cannot spend an entire term in class due to fee arrears. My husband being unemployed pastor receives minimal cash from tithes and offering (less than 1000 KES weekly) which get exhausted in fending the family. In this regard, the GiveDirectly transfers are coming to help us in clearing fee balances of 6400 KES and sort minor family needs including buying food and other basic requirements.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In our culture getting a grandchild brings respect and dignity to the parents. I was among the counted lucky mothers when my daughter changed my name to HaweDama (Dama's grandma) early this year after she gave birth to a baby girl. I feel happy to be named in the list of those considered old in our society.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a trained tailor. I used to work in the trading center where I had rented a room. Since what I was getting was spent in providing for the family needs, I could not save towards paying rent and as a result I was forced to close the room and pack back home. In as much as I help my husband in looking after the three goats and two cows whenever he goes to seminars, my life as a house wife is not my choice. I am feeling wasted as my sewing skills deteriorate as days go by. I have tried several times to resume the work but financial instabilities have not allowed me.