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 > Riziki's Profile
Riziki's family
Riziki
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
44
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than how it would have been because I managed to send my children and even paid in advance the remaining fees. This will help them study with minimal disturbances which will improve their academic performance. Previously they were always home because of the arrears this was really demotivating them hence affecting their performance. Also, the livestock that I own will be of great help to me and my entire family. With the help of the oxen, I will be able to prepare my farm in good time and plough the whole farm. Which is promising of harvesting enough products which I believe will eradicate famine in my household.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has been doing so well not only to me but to the entire region. This is well noticed from the sudden change in all the needy individuals. A big fraction of us now have some livestock such as cows and goats since this has always been the dream of most of us but due to high levels of poverty, we couldn't own them. Also, we now have nice houses which are a great relief to us from the temporary huts. Therefore according to me, I do not see any part GiveDirecty failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying livestock which includes dairy and an ox. For quite a long time, these have been the well thoughtful living assets that I have been yearning to own but becsue of my low financial status, I couldn't afford to purchase even one. Also, I bought building materials like iron sheets, building poles, timber and nails. These were basically for the construction of a new house because the previous one was almost collapsing becasue of its weak walls and a damaged roof. Also with the remaining amount of money, I am using it I buying foodstuff for the family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was from the farm when I learned that I had finally received the long-awaited Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and even decided to call all my family members for a short prayer because it was like a miracle to us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own a semipermanent spacious house. Previously I used to shelter under a very small hut with grass thatched roof which was so leaky. During the rainy seasons in used to sleep at my mother-in-law's house which was taboo according to our culture. But then I had no option. Apart from that some of my properties were always because of the condition of the house. Therefore after receiving the transfers the first priority was to construct a decent house. I am so glad because all is well now, I am sleeping comfortably in my house. I no longer worry about the rains and even the insecurity courtesy of GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying two dairy cows at KES 30000. This has been my longtime dream for years but I could not afford it since they were very expensive. I also bought some building materials such as iron sheets, thread, nails, and building poles. I bought all these with an intention of constructing a new house. I also paid school fees for my son who is in secondary school. With the reming amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs and decent clothes for the Christmas celebration.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My wish has been to construct a spacious house for my family like others in the village. Currently, my house is very small and it can not fully accommodate my family of 9 members and our commodities. This has forced my 3 sons to seek refuge from our neighbor every night. Receiving this money means the realization of my dream since I am planning to spend $ 300 to build a two-roomed house by purchasing iron sheets, polls, and labor charges. This will earn me the privacy and respect I have missed for many years.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a charcoal vendor, I usually spend my morning hours doing my household chores before going to my place of work. I use the whole day preparing and packaging the charcoal for sale, I always return home in the evening exhausted, It's only in the night that I relax my body hence I consider it as my happiest part of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am illiterate and unable to secure a good job to support my family. My only hope is on charcoal vending which earns me less the 1 dollar per day. I am struggling a lot to feed my family this has forced us to sometimes spend the own day without food, not to say getting money to build a good shelter for my family. Therefore, I consider the lack of a reliable source of income as my biggest hardships.