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 > Karisa's Profile
Karisa's family
Karisa
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
69
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($462 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I have a new goal of repairing my house. My house is in a dilapidated condition. The roof is leaking, it has no doors and the walls which are made of mud are full of cracks and holes which let in cold air during the night. This has affected my children’s health and they often fall ill. My new goal is to ensure I do some improvements in the house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The enrolment criteria is by give directly is good. Through the criteria they used, the deserving needy people could get the help they deserved. I would like Give Directly to improve on the timing of their transfers. Some members of our village complained their transfers delayed, affecting their plans.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been facing a lot of challenges among them paying school fees for my three children who are in college and three others who are still in primary school. I do not have a job and rely on doing casual jobs such as building houses, fetching water for other people for pay and also tilling other people’s land for pay. The jobs I get are not daily and I sometimes spend two to three days at home getting no job. Upon receiving my transfer, I spent a huge portion of it in clearing school fee debts for my three children who are in college. My daughter is taking a tailoring course, my son is in a driving school and the other is undertaking an electrical course. I could not pay their school fees because of the meagre amount of income that I was earning. Besides paying the school fees, I spent KES 10000 to pay off dowry for my eldest son. As a requirement in our culture, the bridegroom has to clear off the dowry before they grant him the full rights to name the children after his own relatives. Paying the dowry ensured my son fulfilled part of his obligation as required in our culture. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount of money in buying food my family (Wife, six children). My family has enough to eat and we are no longer worried about having to skip meals or sleeping on empty stomachs.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in the firm weeding my crop when I heard my mobile phone ringing. Being illiterate and with short sight, I took my phone to the helper to interpret the message for me. He disclosed the good news that I had received the transfer. I was so happy and I started the planning of traveling to the Mpesa to withdraw the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I am currently living a happy life and able to provide for my family especially food without much struggle. Nowadays, my kids are getting a steady supply of food and they are no longer malnourished as a result of to lack of proper meals.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 to purchase a piece of land this is because the place were I am staying is at a low place where it is constantly filled with water during the heavy rain. In addition, I spent KES 7,000 to take my kid to college where he was going to take a building and construction course. He had completed secondary school but I lacked the finances to further his studies. With the remaining amount, I bought 5 iron sheets which I intend to construct a toilet for my family. We are using the bush which is very risky especially at night. The other part of remaining amount assisted me acquiring enough food for the family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In my home town, it's our culture to wear decent long clothes known as 'leso'. It has been my dream to sell such clothes because they are on-demand. Receiving this money means I can open my clothes business which will sustain my family. Currently my charcoal business is a tiresome job with less returns KES 500 per week, I will opt to stating my business
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the past two years, I was unable to provide food for my family. In August my firstborn got a casual job and with his first salary, he came home with shopping to last for one month. This brought joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability has challenged me. I get a low income of KES 500 per week, this can not sustain me. Currently, I am unable to take three of my kids for their secondary education. This brings shame for not being able to provide higher education l.