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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 > Zawadi's Profile
Zawadi's family
Zawadi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Zawadi's next check-in.
 
29th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 17 days ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal for the coming year is to expand my livestock. By investing in more animals, I can eventually generate income from selling them, helping to provide for both myself and my family. To make this happen, I plan to save part of each transfer, and once I’ve set aside enough, I’ll buy another goat. This steady approach will allow my herd to grow gradually. I’m genuinely thankful for the financial support that is helping me achieve this goal and ensuring both my own and my family’s well-being.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a physical disability that limits my ability to work and support myself, so I rely on my father, who works as a mason specializing in building mud houses. Unfortunately, jobs in his line of work are scarce, making it challenging for him to earn enough to meet all of our family’s needs. I am incredibly grateful for the financial assistance I receive, which helps cover my expenses and even some of my family’s needs. Recently, I spent $34 on food, ensuring we had enough to eat and rarely missed a meal. With the remaining $38, I bought two goats, adding to the two I already have, which I also purchased with funds from the transfers. I am pleased with this investment, as the goats serve as a financial safety net; if an emergency arises, I can sell a few to raise money for my needs. I’m hopeful the herd will grow over time, and I’m truly appreciative of this support, which allows me to take care of my essential needs.
 
26th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As a person with disability, I find it challenging to support myself and rely entirely on my family for care. To ensure my daily needs are met, I plan to continue using a portion of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly to cover essentials like food, medication, and clothing. This support is has proven to be very important for my well-being and helps me maintain a better quality of life, for which I am very grateful. In addition to addressing my immediate needs, my plan is to also invest another portion of my transfers and buy more livestock, particularly goats as I believe that goats multiply faster. I am hopeful that these goats will multiply and increase in number and value over time, becoming a reliable asset that I can depend on in the future. This investment will provide me with a sense of security and financial independence in future to manage my condition especially when this program comes to an end. I am truly grateful that this program considered me especially with my situation and thanks to the transfers that I receive, I can eat every day and my family is able to take good care of me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to my disability, I am unable to do much for myself and entirely rely on my family for care. To ensure that I have something valuable to sustain me and manage my condition in the future, I decided to invest in livestock. I believe that having livestock will provide a valuable asset, especially when this program comes to an end. And so, I spent $94 of my recent transfers to buy two female goats, hoping they will multiply and increase in number and value. My goal is to eventually sell some of them in future to enable my family help me support my condition. With the remaining $8, I purchased food for my family to ensure that we don’t go hungry. I am truly grateful for the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly, as they help me manage my condition by providing for my needs in terms of food and clothing, while also securing my future once this program comes to an end.
 
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to maintain my medication schedule and regular checkups. Thanks to the monthly transfers, it has become easier for me to receive treatment. My parents are not financially stable enough to support me in this regard, and this would cause them undue stress. However, with the current arrangement, I can get my medication on time and maintain a proper diet. Additionally, I plan on purchasing more livestock to keep, which will help me with my financial needs as they multiply.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am 23 years old and physically handicapped and the firstborn in a family of four. My parents have had a hard time catering to my needs, especially when it comes to my medication. At one point, it was difficult for me to receive the specialized medication that I needed the most. Most of my parents' financial resources went to buying food and paying for my siblings' education. My condition was draining their finances, and the burden on them was too much. They had to pay for my medication, and my siblings' education, and provide food for the whole family. Fortunately, receiving the transfers brought a big relief not only to me but to the whole household as well. The recent transfers made it easy for me to access medical services and support my siblings' education. I spent over $60 on medication, which I mostly received at home. Whenever I needed to travel for treatment, the transfer covered the transport costs, which made it easy for me to receive the necessary care. Moreover, I also bought a sheep for $20 and added it to my livestock. I now own three goats and one sheep, and my goal is to breed them to increase their numbers. I can readily sell the offspring to meet my financial needs. When the project comes to an end, I will still have some assets to sell and settle my financial needs. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount of the transfer on buying foodstuffs and supporting my parents in paying for my siblings' school fees.
 
17th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 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?
My intention is to make a significant investment in acquiring additional livestock. The current heavy rainfall in our village presents a favorable environment for their survival, as there is an abundance of grass for them to feed on. With plentiful food available, their reproduction and population growth will be facilitated, resulting in the expansion of my investment. This strategic move will not only provide a secure future but also offer flexibility. In times of need or emergencies, I can rely on the livestock as a valuable asset that can be converted into cash. The potential financial benefits are promising, and it brings me great joy to witness how the funds are positively transforming my life, fostering self-reliance, and leading to a better quality of life overall.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to my physical disability, I am unable to engage in any form of employment. Consequently, I rely entirely on my parents, who work as casual laborers and earn a meager income to support our family of six. The financial support I have received has been instrumental in providing essential sustenance during challenging times. In the past months, when we faced the threat of prolonged drought and my parents struggled to find work, the transfer money proved crucial in ensuring that we never went hungry. I allocated a significant portion, amounting to $64, to purchase essential food items. This enabled us to meet our basic nutritional needs and alleviate the hardships we were facing. Furthermore, with an eye towards the future, I have set aside $30 to acquire a goat once I receive my next transfer. This investment serves as a valuable asset that can be converted into cash whenever the need arises. As the goat multiplies, it will enhance the value of my initial investment, providing additional financial security. The financial assistance we have received has played a pivotal role in helping me and my family endure these difficult times. I am immensely grateful for the support, as it has brought stability and relief to our lives.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am living with a physical disability, necessitating regular medical attention that exceeds the financial means of my parents. Given my parents' limited financial stability and their additional responsibilities, particularly the educational expenses of my siblings, they have been confronted with considerable challenges. The assistance I have received through the transfer has been critical in ensuring timely medical treatment, covering both medical costs and travel expenses to and from the hospital. Without this assistance, my treatment could have faced significant delays, subject to my parent's ability to accumulate sufficient resources for my healthcare expenses. Furthermore, I intend to purchase additional goats, a venture that has the potential to meet my ongoing needs. As these goats reproduce, I will be able to not only care for them but also sell them, providing a consistent source of income to meet my needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their invaluable financial assistance, which has provided me with a lifeline in meeting my medical expenses. This assistance is especially important given my family's financial difficulties, as we rely primarily on subsistence farming for a living. Furthermore, my parents' limited resources are stretched thin as they provide for my other siblings' education and daily nourishment. With my physical disability necessitating ongoing medical attention, relying solely on my parents' financial support would have resulted in significant delays in receiving the necessary treatment. I am overjoyed that I have been able to obtain proper medical care and eat a healthy diet. Furthermore, the recent transfer enabled me to acquire two goats for $55, and I am currently tending to them. I am unable to work because of my current condition. As a result, investing in these goats has emerged as my most promising venture. I expect them to reproduce, which has the potential to be a reliable resource in times of need. The prospect of selling these goats to meet urgent needs provides me with a sense of security and self-sufficiency that I greatly value.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I've always desired to own livestock, but financial restraints have limited my ability to do so. Because of my physical vulnerability, I am unable to actively work for an income; thus, owning livestock is the greatest alternative for me. I'm particularly thankful for prior cash transfers, which enabled me to purchase three chickens and three goats. I hope that this herd will grow in the coming years so that I may sell them to support the education of my three younger siblings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to my physical vulnerability, which hinders me from moving around, I hugely depend on my parents and siblings for mobility. Since I cannot work to raise money, I always feel obligated to contribute to the household expenses whenever I receive my cash transfer. Besides, covering some of the family needs alleviates the burden that my father bears to take care of my mother, three siblings, and me. The charcoal burning job he relies on yields low earnings, which makes it difficult to fulfill all the essentials. When I received the recent money, there was no food in the house and I contributed $22 towards the replenishment of more. After that, I spent the remaining $12 on three hens. Although I cannot engage in activities to make money, I am happy for the opportunity to own livestock and chickens through the transfers. During hard times, I could sell these animals to support my family.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to my physical limitations, I am entirely dependent on my parents to survive. My parents work on odd jobs and sell charcoal to make a living. They don't make much money from their source of income, so they occasionally find it difficult to meet all of my needs. I was full of joy upon receiving my transfer, as I spent $15 on buying food for the family. This made sure that my family of six would not go without food. I spent the remaining $25 on a goat in addition to purchasing food. I've always wanted to own livestock, but I've found it difficult to do so due to a lack of funds. I will increase my initial investment once the goats have multiplied, thereby boosting my wealth.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly does a fantastic job of giving cash transfer to the neediest in the society including the physically vulnerable individuals. The money has enabled me to achieve goals that were previously unattainable due to a lack of funds. I am excited to own livestock such as goats and chickens, courtesy of the cash transfers. I cannot think of anything Give Directly does poorly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was born with a physical handicap that paralyzed both my hands and legs, limiting my ability to move. I mostly rely on my family for support, particularly my father, who is the principal provider. To make ends meet he raises livestock.  When times are bad, he burns charcoal to earn additional money to fund the education of my three siblings. Because of this, pursuing other goals, such as purchasing goats, has proven fruitless. To reduce dependence on my father, I intend to raise livestock, let them multiply and sell them in future to generate money for my needs.  That is why I saved the transfer amount, which I want to use to purchase a goat within the next three days.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had been eagerly awaiting my first Give Directly cash transfer with great excitement. When my helper confirmed the wonderful news to me that morning, I could not help but rejoice. It was my first experience with money. I was mostly looking forward to deciding how to spend my money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
All I had before Give Directly arrived in my village was a strong desire to start raising livestock. Due to my physical condition, I was unable to raise funds to purchase the animals. However, the transfer made this dream a reality by allowing me to obtain my first hen. Thanks to the transfers, I hope to expand the practice to goats and cows in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Born with a physical disability that paralyzed all of my limbs, I grew up under the care of my family members who helped with my movements and provided financial support. My father, as the primary breadwinner, raises livestock for a living. His earnings from the practice are insufficient to cover basic needs such as food. This is why fulfilling other desires, such as my long-held desire to raise chickens, had proven futile until Give Directly enrolled me for the cash transfers. The goal is to raise a large herd of livestock as a source of income and reduce over-reliance on my father. So, I used KES 300 from the transfer to purchase a hen. I spent the rest of the money on four new dresses to replace the old ones that were wearing out from constant use.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I believe that my disability is not my limitation to prosperity. I have always developed a desire to help my mother educate my siblings. I am planning to use the GiveDirectly transfers to start a chicken rearing business in the village. I will start by constructing a structure at a total cost of KES 20,000. I will later buy 20 chicken to start with. There is a ready market in the nearby town and I believe I will enjoy handsome profits immediately my business stabilizes. The profits will help my mother educate my siblings and at the same time attend to family's basic needs such as food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am always happy whenever I wake up in the morning. With my situation, I believe God has a purpose for this and a new day to me is a new beginning in life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Inability to walk or talk like others has been the greatest challenge in my life. Since I was born, I have been unable to walk to an extent I see myself as a burden to my mother. When it comes to eating, I only do it with my left hand.