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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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Alii's Profile
Alii's family
Alii
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
29
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Using these funds from give directly, I have managed to accomplish most of the things I had desired to. However, my new goal of building rentals has not yet been fulfilled. I need KES 300,000 to be able to accomplish this. since I used up most of my savings, I plan on continuing with my job as a motorcyclist so I could start saving up. Although the harsh economic times have made it hard to do so.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly shows concern and great humility for its recipients. Where the agents carry out door-to-door registration. For this reason, most of us in our village have benefited from this program. Although I wish that we would be enrolled again so that we would finish the projects we had, what I got uplifted me. Therefore, the organization has done exceptionally well and there is no area they have not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a motorcyclist. Before I started receiving funds, my family (my wife and four children) and I used to live in a one-roomed house that was very squeezed. It was my desire to have a bigger house to accommodate us but I was not able to do this as my daily earnings had drastically reduced from KES 1500 to KES 500. From it, I would only focus on putting my children through school and providing their meals. So, when I got the funds from give directly, using my first transfer, I bought some tree logs to facilitate the construction of my new house. Using the second transfer, I finished purchasing the needed materials and got to pay the builder so they could kick start the project. It is now complete and we have already moved in. I also used the funds to settle the KES 5000 school fee arrears of two of my children which I had forfeited for several months. Whatever amount remained, I used to buy five goats which were sold at KES 3300 for some financial security.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While I was on bed at around 11pm, I received a message in my phone. It was strange to receive a message at such a time and since I do not know how to read, I went to my helper to interpret the message that came at odd hours. The interpretation took away the sleepy. It was the first transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. I was so excited by the good news something that made me to stay awake for a while. In fact I don’t know how I slept that day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
There are two big differences that I can attest GiveDirectly did for me. One is the house that I am construction, once its complete the shame and embarrassment of receiving visitors will be no longer there. The second thing is dowry. Initially I was not at peace since my in-laws were almost coming for their daughter saying that I should complete the dowry before she becomes mine fully. Using the transfer that I got, I settled the issue and we are now living in harmony.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The priority after withdrawing the money was to build a house since the one I had was very small and old, thus it was shameful and embarrassing to receive a visitor. I bought 20 pieces of iron sheets for KES 19000.00, building poles for KES 8000.00 and kept some amount for labour. I also paid KES 6000.00 school fees for my 2 primary school children. Thereafter, I took KES 10000.00 and paid the last bit of the dowry for my wife and the remaining amount was for food for the family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My longing has been to build a spacious house for my family of 6 members because the one we are currently in is too small. This has forced my 2 elder sons to seek shelter from their grandmother house. Something that I feel as a parent I am failing my responsibilities. According to our culture, once a child reaches the age of 7 years he is not allowed to share the same room with his parents. Receiving this money means attaining the desire. I am planning to spend 60,000 KES on the construction so that we can live comfortably in a spacious house. Other than that, I will spend the remaining amount to purchase livestock (goats) which be a source of income for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I purchased 2 goats a year ago with the hope that they will produce and multiple. Unfortunately, 1 goat eat poisonous grass and died. When this happened it discouraged me completely because I saw like my hope is diminishing. Luckily enough the remaining one gave birth to twins last week and this brought happiness into my life because I believe they will continue to grow and I can sell them at a profit price in the future and support my children's education.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income is the biggest challenge I am currently facing. I work as a charcoal vendor in the village. The wages of 2800 KES in a month are not enough to sustain all our needs such as shelter and school fees. Right now all my 4 children are out of school because of school fees. This is affecting their studies.