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 > Kadzo's Profile
Kadzo's family
Kadzo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
attach_money
 
Follow to be updated on Kadzo's next check-in.
 
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My foremost goal is to bring security and stability back to my family by renovating our home. The recent collapse of one room has left me deeply concerned about the safety of my loved ones. I feel a profound responsibility to provide them with a secure and comfortable living space. To achieve this, I am determined to raise the necessary funds for the renovation. Every effort, every penny saved, is a step toward rebuilding not just the physical structure but the sense of security that a home should provide. With anticipation and a strong sense of purpose, I look forward to the day when my family can once again find solace and safety within the walls of our renewed home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Using part of my recent cash transfer, I decided to invest in the productivity of my one-acre farm. I hired a close neighbor to assist with the early preparation of the land, spending nearly $20 on this project. The physical strain of working the entire farm alone had limited my yield in the past, and I am hopeful that with this additional help, my harvest will significantly increase. The ongoing rains have further boosted my optimism, as they bode well for a successful farming season, alleviating the specter of famine that has often loomed over my family. With the remaining $14.7, I prioritized securing food for my eleven family members. As a casual laborer, I earn around $25 a week, and with my spouse working as a fisherman, our combined income is modest. This allocation is aimed at ensuring our immediate sustenance, especially during times when jobs might be scarce or the fishing haul is less abundant. The unconditional cash transfer has been a welcome relief, not just addressing our current needs but also providing an opportunity to break the cycle of limited harvests and financial insecurity that has persistently plagued us.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Prior to the cash transfers, I faced challenges in providing for my family and supporting my children's education. However, since receiving the cash transfers, I have been able to invest in goats, which has given me hope for the future. With the cash transfers, I have managed to grow my herd of goats to seven, and my goal is to reach twenty goats. As I continue to grow my herd and work towards my goal of twenty goats, I am optimistic that selling some of them in the future will allow me to invest in cattle. This progression will not only secure my family's financial future but also ensure that my children's education remains a top priority.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I usually prioritize spending the cash transfers on goats and school fees for my three children; one in secondary school and two in primary school. Recently, I used $20 to buy a goat, which I believe will contribute to growing myl wealth and eventually support my children's education. I also allocated $5 towards settling school fees, ensuring that there are no outstanding debts and that my children can continue their education without interruptions. Another $9 was used to purchase food. With the support of the cash transfers, I have managed to accumulate a total of 7 goats, which gives me hope for my children's future. We rely on various sources of income to make ends meet. I engage in charcoal burning and making donuts, while my husband fishes at the river to provide for the family. The cash transfers have been a lifeline for our family, empowering us to invest in our children's education and create a better future for them.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
While growing up, I desired to pursue academic excellence. However, my dream was cut short due to poverty, my parents were too poor to afford my education expenses. When I got enrolled in GiveDirectly's program, I resolved to support my children's education with the transfer. At the beginning of this year, I revisited the same goal and did not see a need to develop a new goal. Therefore, my sole goal that I work to accomplish by the end of this year is to see my children go to school courtesy of the transfers. Both my husband's and my wages are too low to cater to their academic needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have three children; Hamisi, Jackson, and Jumaa. All of them are enrolled in school now. When I received my recent transfer, they were home due to my inability to pay their school fees in time. Their total outstanding school fees were $60. I spent the whole of my recent transfer, $34 on school fees payment. As a result, the arrears went down, and teachers were at last happy hence they were allowed in school despite the accrued balance. I am glad that they are progressing well with their studies. The other transfers for the last three months helped me to acquire three goats that I added to my flock, and now I have five goats. I am optimistic that these will be beneficial to my family. My work is to make charcoal, and my husband's.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My husband and I both work as casual workers and rely on the sale of charcoal for our income. Our daily income is less than $3, so we barely make ends meet. We struggle to cover our children's primary school tuition with such a meager sum. My main objective for the entire year is to use a significant portion of the funds from the transfers to pay for my children's tuition. By preventing them from quitting school, this will allow my kids to fully focus on their education. I'm also interested in raising livestock. Four goats that I currently own were purchased with funds from the transfers. The reason I want to buy more this year is so that I can sell the extra goats in case of an emergency and use the proceeds to help myself.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After the arrival of the donations, I felt like huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders especially since my children were literally on the verge of being kicked out of school. Therefore, the minute I got the chance to withdraw the money I went ahead to pay KES 1,500 to be split among the three of them equally. I also decided to buy a duck which also cost me the same amount. Lastly I spent the remaining KES 400 by purchasing two packets of maize flour so that we would have a meal.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
 
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Part of the roof to my house was blown away by the strong winds two weeks ago. Since then, I am having sleepless nights because of the rains and chilly weather. I covered the house using sacks because I have no money to repair the house. My husband who is a fisherman is struggling to repair the house because there are no fish in the rivers. Therefore, when I received my transfer, I bought two pieces of iron sheets at KES 2000 and repaired my house. I am happy that I sleep peacefully and soundly. Besides buying the iron sheets, I bought food worth KES 500 and paid school fee arrears for my four children who are in lower primary classes.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
 
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is supporting us through the unconditional cash transfers, I know in five years time, the transfers would have changed lives of thousands in various way. This was a great intiative that you took and we are so grateful for the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I burn and sell charcoal to earn living while my husband is a fisherman. All our efforts combined, we have been raising our five children and giving them the best that we could afford. For the last one year, my charcoal business hasn't been doing well because it's been a struggle to find trees to burn due to deforestation. I wanted to give up on the business and focus on something else such as rearing livestock but I lost almost all my livestock to severe drought last year. When I was enrolled in the program, my goal was to buy livestock, at least one goat per month because goats can thrive so we'll under harsh climatic condition compered to cows. I spend my recent transfer to buy a goat. I now have four goats and I want to focus on rearing them as I look forward to buy more.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can't express how happy I was when I received the funds. At the time, I was busy in the kitchen cooking for my children. So, when the message came in, I finished what I was doing, served the kids some food, and then I rushed out to withdraw the funds.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The funds are very helpful, especially with my children's school fees. I managed to reduce their arrears by KES500. Even so, I still cannot tell the big difference these funds have brought into my life but I believe with more transfers, I will be able to tell.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of four children. Providing for all of them, my husband, who works as a fisherman, and I, working as a charcoal manufacturer, both work collaboratively to ensure that their needs are well taken care of. When I received my transfer, the children had school fee arrears of KES2000. so I used KES500 to reduce the arrears of the one who is in class five. As for the one who is in class 8, he lacked proper school uniforms, so, I used KES500 to purchase new ones and the remaining KES200 I used to buy some soap.  
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always dreamt of sleeping in a comfortable bed because what I sleep in currently is made of sisal strings which is very uncomfortable. My budget for the bed is 4500KES and since what I will get will not be enough to buy the bed, I plan to save the first and second transfers for this to work.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Having good health amidst all the challenges that I currently face gives me joy in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Paying school fees has been my main challenge because I do not have a consistent income. I have 9 children, 6 of them had to drop out of school because of a lack of money to pay their school fees. It is every parent's wish to see their children throughout school until they get to a stage where they can depend on their own unfortunately this is not the case for me.