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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Kahaso's Profile
Kahaso's family
Kahaso
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
59
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($403 USD)
access_time almost 1 year ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My current objective is to build a kitchen. I will benefit significantly from this, especially while it's rainy season. As of right now, I cook in the same house. After cooking, I'm generally disturbed by smoke, so I have to wait outside the house until quite late at night to let the smoke clear before going to bed. Again, the iron sheets are being destroyed by the smoke. This is my priority if I get some money.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did so well by helping me financially. This was the best since we all have different needs therefore we would choose what works well for us. This empowered me to own assets that I think would take years for me to have in my homestead. Therefore all went well and there is no need for them to change their mode of operation.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For over forty years since I got married I was sleeping on a small traditional bed that was in a poor condition. Poverty did not allow me to buy a good bed since the family needed to be taken care of and I was just a casual laborer. Upon getting the second transfer, I saw it to buy a nice standard bed and a mattress. The bed cost me $70 while the mattress cost $60. After that, I bought some plumbing materials to complete a water project that I had started. I had a project of fixing a water tap at home because the waterpoint is at a distance. The plumbing materials and the plumber's charges cost $150. Thereafter I bought a goat for $35 and saved the remaining amount for the family's upkeep.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($442 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While lying on my bed relaxing at around 3 pm, I heard a message ringtone from my phone. Since I am illiterate, I had to wait for my helper who had gone to look after livestock in the field. No sooner did he arrive than I gave him the phone to check what the message was all about. Upon checking, he informed me that I had received the first transfer of $550 from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with happiness for receiving a massive amount of money at once. My happiness grew when I figured out how I was going to change my life for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The main difference that has stood out in my life as far as the transfer is concerned is the plumbing work that was done. This is a clear indication that soon I will have water available at my home. I am happy that I will not be traveling long distances in search of fresh water. Again, I am now confident that I managed to pay a debt that was giving me sleepless nights. I was not sure how I would settle it, thanks to GiveDirectly for enabling me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Getting fresh water was a struggle and expensive. I used to travel a long distance to fetch some water. Since I have some livestock, I was using an average of 150 liters of water per day and this costs $15 apart from the transport cost. Therefore, I saw the need to apply for a water connection at my home. Based on that I bought all the plumbing materials and did the fitting as well as paying for the meter for $400 though the water has not been fixed yet. I am sure they will not take much time and soon I will have some water at home. This will reduce the burden of traveling and the cost to source the same. I am happy that GiveDirectly empowered me to fix a water tap at my home. Thereafter, I settled a debt of $60, bought a goat for $35, and used the remaining amount to buy some food.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I finally found a solution to my problem, I have been struggling to buy water from my neighbors. With this transfer, I will be able to put up a water point in my compound. The relief I have is immense because I will not have to borrow money just to be able to buy a can of water. $200 will be enough to carry out this project and I can not wait to see water flowing in my homestead. I will need to buy new Iron sheets to roof my kitchen and latrine, they are worn off and this makes it hard for me to use the facilities when it is raining. Once this is accomplished I can settle for raising livestock to increase my productivity on the farm.
What is the happiest part of your day?
That I am alive and healthy is enough for me. I get to work and eat, it gives my life meaning. I get to take care of my husband and my son it is a blessing to be alive.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I get so frustrated by the fact that I have to buy water yet water is in surplus in our village. A can goes for $0.1 and every day I use 5 cans. This is expensive for me since I am only a subsistence farmer.