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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Completed
Newsfeed > Sanita's Profile
Sanita's family
Sanita
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
30
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($387 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?
Soon, once I finally secure the funds I need, I have a clear vision in mind - to launch my own boutique business. My heart swells with excitement at the prospect of selling second-hand clothes, carefully curated with love and passion. It's not just about the business, it's about making a difference. My goal is to provide for my family and to create a sustainable income that ensures their comfort and happiness. I dream of a boutique where people can find unique and affordable pieces, reducing waste and embracing the beauty of pre-loved fashion. With determination and a sense of purpose, I eagerly await the day I can embark on this fulfilling journey toward both personal and communal prosperity.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Honestly, I truly appreciate their commitment to ensuring beneficiary equity. The fact that they give everyone an equal chance, regardless of their background or circumstances, is not only commendable but also a powerful tool in combating prejudice and inequality. The assistance they provide reaches every community member, allowing each one of us to have a fair shot at improving our lives. I have seen a significant increase in my quality of life since becoming a participant in the program. The support from GiveDirectly has lifted a burden off my shoulders and opened up new opportunities for a better future. I am grateful for their dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need, and I can attest that their efforts are truly making a difference in our community.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the cash transfer from GiveDirectly was a blessing beyond measure. With $250 in hand, I immediately set to work on securing a brighter future for my family. Recognizing the potential of my promising food crops, I invested $250 to construct a sturdy granary. Once the harvest season arrives, I'll have a safe place to store our precious maize produce, ensuring food security and eliminating wastage. My children's education has always been my top priority, so I used $80 of the cash transfer to pay their school fees. Watching them go to school with smiles on their faces filled my heart with pride and joy. Furthermore, I seized the opportunity to diversify our income streams by purchasing goats for $135. I had heard of their resilience and rapid reproduction, making them a perfect investment choice for my family's future stability. The remaining amount was wisely spent on buying food for immediate needs. Gone are the days of hunger and uncertainty; now, we have enough to eat. The transformation in our lives is evident, as our hope and optimism for a better tomorrow grew stronger with every passing day. I am eternally grateful to GiveDirectly for their support in changing us to our present circumstances.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($402 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just arrived home from a school meeting when I noticed that my phone had been turned off. Upon switching it on, I discovered that there were two new messages. After going through them, I felt so happy to learn that they were Mpesa messages from GiveDirectly. I informed my spouse about the good news and started planning how we would withdraw the cash and pay the school fees for our kids.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before the coming of GiveDirectly into my village, I did not own any assets in my life. This was because of the financial crisis that I have been through. Over the years, it has never been easy for me to secure even a manual job. Therefore, my spouse has been the one providing for the family; he could hardly fulfill all our basic needs. I therefore settled to rear the goats so that I could accumulate wealth purposefully for my children's schooling journey and my future needs. In the upcoming months, I will be able to sell some and make money to help my entire family. My children will also be attending school daily, which has been my prayer. I feel this has made the biggest difference in my daily life
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The issue of paying school fees for my four children has been one of the biggest challenges that I am facing. This is because I do not have any job that I can confidently depend on. This has kept my kids away from school regularly. Therefore, after receiving the cash, I settled on clearing the arrears so that they could once again study without any interference. Also, since I had been yearning to own livestock, I opted to buy two goats for $145. These will serve as my long-term projects for my future and my children's educational journey. After that, I bought decent clothes to replace the rugged ones that I was not comfortable with. Finally, I bought food for my family of six, which is now a relief since we no longer go without meals like before.
 
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of six members. I do charcoal burning for sale and my husband does casual jobs at Mombasa. He earns approximately $30 per month and I earn approximately $18.This money caters to food only and it is even not enough. Sometimes the family goes without food. I will use $500 to buy ten goats at $50 each as an investment. Goats survive in the climatic condition of our area. This will enable me to have money to pay school fees for my children when they join secondary school. Currently, I do not have any investment. I live hand to mouth kind of life. I will also use $ 200 to clear the school fees of my children who are at Mrimani primary school. I have not paid even a single coin for the last three academic terms. I will use the remaining money to buy food for the family. At least the family willy have three meals per day like other families do.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The county government of Kilifi brought relief food to the community two days before Christmas day. I got one bracket of maize and 1kg of beans. This food served my family for a week and the family had the pleasure to enjoy three meals per day for the first time since I was married to this compound. The relief food brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of food is the challenge I am currently facing. I do casual jobs that give me approximately $18 per month which caters both for food and school fees for my four school-going children. Being a casual job it is not always accessible. My family takes one meal per day only in the evening. This has affected their education. Two days ago the children never went to school because they had last taken food two days back. They were so week that they could not walk to school.