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 > Karisa's Profile
Karisa's family
Karisa
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Raising livestock
faceAge:
33
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have taken care of my father's heard of cows most of my life and this has ingrained a big passion for livestock in me. When I heard I would be receiving this money I knew I could make this dream of mine come to life. I knew that I would use this money to buy cattle which I would also herd and turn it into my own economic activity. I have been bought a number of goats and chicken with this transfer and I am well on the way to becoming an animal farmer. I had not thought much about my other goal untill I received my money. I was in debt in Mombasa where I had taken a loan to begin a car wash business which due to unfortunate circumstances hadnt done so well during the Pandemic period. I was chased out my house in Mombasa and was forced back to my country home. Now that I had received this cash I thought it prudent to settle the debt as It wasn't in order to still be indebted as they still pursued me which meant I had no peace.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am so greatful to give directly for this transfer since I am now debt free. I also purchased chicken which now have young ones. One of my hens has 5 chick while another has 7 chicks. I was able to get 5 goats which I never had. I would have purchased more animals had we been able to farm and produce food. The drought cannot allow us to farm for food so we are full reliant of purchasing food and this for me has been a matter of great importance as I cannot leave my family to starve. I have no complain over the give directly transfers
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My first transfer went into buying goats. I wanted to buy she goats that could breed and increase the herd. I set apart 10,000 shillings which I used to by 5 goats all for different prices which was dependent on quality of the animal.I also bought 5 hens and one cock to add to my animals, the chicken cost me 250 shillings each while the cock cost 1000 shillings. I also bought a bed and a mattress at 10, 000 shillings with each costing 5000 shillings. My children, my wife and I didn't have presentable clothes. I felt it as an important thing to buy clothes for the entire family so they would be able to have good clothes for them to wear. I had taken out a loan worth 32300 shillings in Mombasa to begin a car wash which eventually ran down. I paid 15000 to the lender from the first transfer. The rest of the remaining cash from the first transfer sorted out food for my family. I paid 17300 shillings to my lender from the second transfer so I could clear the loan completely and used 2500 shillings to buy a door for my house. The rest of the money I had left was directed to the purchase of food. We have had a long drought which has made it a difficult task acquiring food. I spent a large chunk of my transfer buying food over the period of time from recieving the transfer till now that I have 5000 still left which sorts water as well as food purchases.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($488 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Being a peasant livestock farmer, I was on the grazing field looking after my parent's cattle when I heard a messages notification on my phone. I remember it was around 10 am, I was eager to know the content of the SMS, After checking the phone, I realized that I had received the transfer. I was very happy since my financial challenges were soon going to be solved. I had to wait until evening to inform the rest of the household members whom we together rejoiced for receiving the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to restart my livestock rearing a reliable source of income for my family. Previously, I was looking after my parent's livestock and sold milk to support my family as a reward for the service offered. The income I earned was hardly enough since we are experiencing drought conditions that negatively impacted milk production.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 14,000 of my transfer to purchase new beddings, this is because I was using the traditional beddings that includes sacks and treads bed which was not comfortable. I had wished to bought modern ones, however, I lack the finances to purchase the proper beddings. I also used KES 17,000 to purchase 5 goats and 8 chickens, this is to restart my livestock rearing a future investment for my family. Previously, I had some but I sold all of them to support the education of my children. Moreover, I used KES 12,000 to purchase new clothing for every member of my family. They had few pairs to change something that embarrassed me. The remaining amount assisted me to support my kid's education as well as buying enough food for the family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help me restart livestock farming. I used to have a number of livestock but I recently sold them due to pressing needs such as school fees and the current drought situation. When I receive the transfers, I intend to major on goat keeping since they survive better than cows in this dry climate. I intend to spend KES 15,000 to buy 5 goats. Goat keeping for me is a good investment for the future especially when it comes to paying school fees and dealing with medical emergencies. I also have a plan of using KES 10,000 to reduce my dowry deficit which made my wife leave. Another KES 10,000 will go into paying school fees and buying food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a livestock farmer, I spend the better part of the day looking for pasture in the bushes and looking for charcoal to sell as well. I travel for long distances and get home in the evening feeling exhausted. I spend my evenings chatting with friends and family after a busy day. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My financial situation here at home is very bad. This is my biggest hardship. My wife left because I have not been able to clear the bride price amounting to KES 60,000. She left me with two children whom I am struggling to raise alone. I had a number of cattle but I have been forced to sell due to other pressing needs such as medication for my children and paying a little bride price. The drought situation is another reason why I had to sell my cattle. This has left me with totally nothing. I have now been forced to start selling charcoal which is not working out well since the income is so little.