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 > Kenga's Profile
Kenga's family
Kenga
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kenga's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 2 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After successfully replenishing my kiosk with high-demand products, I intend to shift my focus towards investing in livestock. My strategy involves allocating my transfer funds from February to September to acquire goats, viewing it as a promising investment due to the expected appreciation in their value over time. The income generated from selling these livestock will not only address my immediate needs but also serve as a financial safety net in case of emergencies. I am delighted that this financial support has contributed to my economic stability, a significant contrast to the past when I faced challenges in managing bills.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Over the last couple of months, a significant portion of my transfers has been allocated to expanding my business inventory. The $54 investment has effectively stocked my kiosk, ensuring it is well-supplied with all necessary items. During the festive season, I spent $14 on food, allowing my family to indulge in a delightful Christmas celebration. Additionally, I acquired a goat for $40, contributing an extra $6 from my savings. I express my happiness and gratitude for the financial support received through transfers, as it has played a crucial role in economically empowering me by enhancing and boosting my business.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With another rainy season on the horizon, I see another opportunity to grow food crops on my farm. My primary goal is to increase the stock of food we recently harvested from the last planting season. This will ensure that my family has an adequate food supply. With this, I aim to use the cash transfers to expand my vegetable-selling business into a kiosk business, which I believe will bring in more profits and provide greater stability. Currently, it is the sole source of income I rely on to support my children's education, and my greatest wish is for it to grow and generate more income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always had a desire to own livestock. However, financial constraints stemming from more immediate needs like food and school fees for my children have always held me back. My vegetable-selling business, while a source of income, does not generate enough to cover all these expenses and still allow me to purchase livestock. I am glad that the recent four months of rainy weather enabled successful farming, and we were able to harvest maize. This presented the perfect opportunity for me to invest in livestock, as the immediate food concerns were alleviated. I used $45 to acquire two goats and spent $4 to purchase a hen. Keeping livestock is crucial to me, as I am confident that as they breed and the herd grows, I will be able to generate income by selling them, making them an essential source of wealth. Also, I allocated $32 to boost my vegetable-selling business by purchasing more stock. I had previously used most of the capital for household expenses, so this replacement was essential to keep the business running. Although the progress is gradual, I am excited to see the business improving day by day. The remaining funds were allocated for food items that we could not ideally grow on our farm, such as sugar, oil, and even essential supplies like soap. I am deeply grateful for the support I have received through the cash transfers to this date.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
To achieve my ultimate goal, I invest my monthly transfers in purchasing livestock. The aim is to amass a substantial herd, which I can eventually sell. With the proceeds, I plan to acquire bulls that will be utilized for tilling and plowing farms during the rainy season. Currently, our areas have started receiving rain, but the absence of machinery presents challenges when working on the farms. As a solution, we rely on the bulls for plowing the land. This approach enables me to generate income by utilizing others' land, providing a means to support my family's needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After the rainfall stopped, I ventured into livestock farming and abandoned my primary farming income. Unfortunately, selling livestock has been challenging due to drought conditions, resulting in lower market prices. Despite the difficulties, I used my transfers to purchase three goats for a total of $90. However, I still owed $56 to the owners. To repay them, I sold the goats for $120, making a profit of $30. Currently, I have three goats and I am pleased with their growth in their numbers. My goal is to build a large cattle herd, which I can eventually sell for a substantial profit. This profit will be used to provide education for my three children who are currently in primary school.
 
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 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?
I embody the positive transformation that has been witnessed with the organization's return to our town and the associated funding. Before the year was over, I managed to start a business selling groceries to assist me provide for my family. I had been saving money during the months. This year, I want to make sure that I use the funding I will continue to get to make my company more successful and sustainable. After that, I was also expecting to utilize the money to purchase a few farm animals, especially goats and chickens as they are less expensive than cows.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I own a small business where I sell some groceries and other food items, so when I recently received a transfer, I combined it with the $14 that I had previously saved from the previous month's transfers and restocked the store. I spent $20 to cover the monthly payments on a motorcycle I had purchased on credit. Since I began getting the transfers, my life has gotten better, and I am appreciative of that. I use my motorcycle to transport the goods to my shop and occasionally use it as a motorcycle taxi, so I don't have to pay for that service. In addition, because I now have a strong stock, my earnings have increased.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I echo the GiveDirectly program for it is well thought out. Giving someone some money unconditional gives the recipient the liberty to decide on how to use the money as per their demanding needs. The follow-up which is done some time to time also awakens our minds knowing that we are being cared for and the organization has good plans for us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I desired to buy a motorbike to aid me in my grocery business. Before getting the recent transfer, I had some savings amounting to $170. When I received the $30 I combine the amount and bought a motorbike on hire-purchase. I paid a deposit of $200, and I am paying a weekly installment of $28 for 72 weeks. Since I have a grocery business, I saw it prudent to get the motorbike which helps me in carrying the vegetables from the vegetable gardens to the grocery.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My phone vibrated with a message notification around 9 p.m just before I got to bed. Immediately, I checked what it contained and confirmed that Give Directly had delivered its promise of a monthly cash transfer. It was a nice surprise since the money came earlier than the anticipated date, which was September. I felt excited to have an opportunity to expand my kiosk business.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before the cash transfer, my business was not progressing well. The daily flow of customers was quite low due to insufficient stock, which consequently reduced my profits in the end. Gladly, the cash transfer allowed me to buy more things to increase the stock of the shop. I am grateful that the kiosk now gets more customers than before, which also improves my returns. I am confident that the upcoming cash transfers will help expand the store further. 
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my advanced age, it is difficult to do strenuous activities to earn a living and provide for my wife and occasionally support my seven grandchildren. So, to fend for my family, I own and run a small kiosk business that generates just enough profits for at least one meal per day. When I received the transfer, my idea was to expand the business by adding new stock. This is why I spent KES 900 on new items for the shop. I acquired a chicken with the remaining funds to increase my flock to four hens. The goal is to let these birds breed, grow the flock, and sell them later to generate money for household expenses. 
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I run a small shop by the roadside. I started it last year and I need to grow it more. I sell very few commodities and I would like to add more stock using this money so that I can get more income. I also plan to save 15,000 KES of the transfers so that I can buy a second hand motorcycle. This is a long term plan because I incur a lot of transportation cost. One trip to and from the market costs me 500 KES. I go to the market twice a day to get goods to sell.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The holy month of Ramadhan brought a lot of joy to my life. The climax put the icing on the cake. We had a wonderful celebration to mark the end of the holy month.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My business is struggling because of little stock which translates to few customers. This is because of lack of money to boost the business. I started this business with a token from a politician and I have not been able to stabalize it well. It is a challenge because this is my main source of income..