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 > Dzendere's Profile
Dzendere's family
Dzendere
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
45
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($387 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As I lay awake, envisioning my future, I dream of the day when fortune will smile upon me, and money will cease to be a worry. When that day arrives, my heart swells with a singular goal; to concentrate on my children's education. With unwavering determination, I'll invest every penny in nurturing their minds, shaping their dreams, and carving paths to greatness. Education, I believe, is the ultimate inheritance one can bestow upon their offspring—a legacy that endures through generations. As I witness their intellectual growth and witness the spark of knowledge illuminating their eyes, I'll know that my greatest accomplishment is not measured in material wealth, but in the knowledge that I have given my children the tools to conquer the world with wisdom and compassion.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The impact of the financial support has been nothing short of transformative for our entire community. From providing opportunities for education to creating sustainable businesses, GiveDirectly's kindness has touched every villager's life. We are elated and proud to be associated with such a thoughtful organization. Their outstanding work has inspired us all to support and promote their mission so that more lives can be positively affected. We congratulate GiveDirectly on a job well done and will forever cherish the difference they've made in our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the cash transfers from GiveDirectly was a blessing that transformed my life in ways I could have never imagined. With $150, I finally completed the roofing of my house, turning it into a spacious and comfortable home for my family. The old, cramped space will now serve as a dedicated kitchen, where we can cook and share meals. Additionally, I invested $170 in purchasing a cow, a precious asset that will provide us with a steady supply of milk, improving our nutrition and even allowing us to sell any surplus to generate extra income. The transformative power of cash transfers didn't stop there. With $55, I bought two goats, ensuring a sustainable source of income through their offspring. Since education is paramount in securing a brighter future for my children, so I gladly allocated $59 to pay their school fees, providing them with access to knowledge and opportunities. Lastly, I used the remaining amount to buy essential food supplies, filling our home with hope and security as far as food is concerned. GiveDirectly not only gave us monetary assistance but also opened doors to a better life, and for that, I am forever grateful.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($403 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was on my way home from tilling my farm when I got two successive message alerts on my phone. I was curious to know the contents, and for some time, I thought they were the normal promotional messages from service providers, but on checking, it was a Mpesa message, informing me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was greatly overjoyed and I began planning how I could purchase building materials to finish building my house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being in a polygamous family and depending on my husband, who sells charcoal as the only source of income, has made it challenging to even afford a decent house to live in. Living in a simple grass-thatched hut with my co-wife and the children was really distressing. Additionally, the hut itself is small and leaks when it rains. I am happy that when I received my first transfer, I was able to purchase iron sheets and timber in order to complete building the new house. I will no longer have to worry about my items being rained on, it's secure and spacious enough for us all.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had begun building a new house, but it stalled for some time since I did not have enough financial resources to purchase the remaining building materials. When I received the transfer, I managed to buy the materials and went on with the construction to completion. I purchased 20 pieces of iron sheets and timber for roofing. Apart from this, I also purchased three goats for Ksh. 7500 and added them to my existing goat shed. These are assets that I can rely on, sell the offspring and raise fees for my children in the near future as they progress with their education. I also paid Ksh 5,000 to clear fee arrears for my five children currently in school. I am at peace now because they were allowed to continue with their studies, and I have ample time to prepare for the next payment. I finally did some shopping for food, which included a 90kg bag of maize that can last for a month, and ensured that food was plentiful in my household.
 
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of 12 members and we all live in a one-room house with a grass roof. During the rainy season, the house leaks very much and let the family with sleepless nights. It also lacks privacy since the children are grown up and still share the same bedding with the parents. I will use $600 to build a two-room house with an iron sheets room. The children with have their room. I will also use $200 to buy two beds and two mattresses for the family. Since I was bone I have never used a mattress in my life. This will change my living standard. The family lacks any investment at the moment thus I will spend $200 to buy four goats as an investment. This is one way of eliminating poverty.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My family last took chapati on January 2022. On 1st January 2023, I prepared chapati and other delicious food for my family. They enjoyed it and I felt happy too.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband and I do casual jobs. Collectively we earn approximately $100 per month. This money caters for food only and sometimes the family goes without food. I have a family of 12 members and uses 4kg of maize flour per day. We take two meals only, in the we do not take breakfast. My younger children are growing weak health-wise due to malnourishment. Food shortage is the current challenge I am currently facing.