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 > Janet's Profile
Janet's family
Janet
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
attach_money
 
Follow to be updated on Janet's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 1 month ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My aim for this year is to acquire a plot of land and build a larger house for my family. Currently, we reside in a cramped single room that does not meet our needs. I plan to save and utilize future transfers towards achieving this goal. A bigger house would provide my family with adequate living space, alleviating much of the strain we currently face. I am thankful for the assistance received as it has significantly improved our quality of life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Currently, I do not have a job, and I rely on my husband who works as a casual laborer to support our family of eight. I used to sell pastries before but had to stop because the business was not profitable. However, with these transfers, my life has become much easier. I can now buy food and pay school fees for my children, whereas before, they would stay at home due to lack of school fees. With the transfers received, I allocated $20 for Christmas celebrations, buying food and clothes for my children. I then used $14 to restock my pastry business, which unfortunately had to stop because it was not doing well. Another $58 was utilized to clear a pending school fee debt, ensuring my children would resume their studies on time. The remainder was spent on purchasing food for my family as we had none. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for these transfers, anticipating a brighter future ahead.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the future, I hope to build a more spacious house. Currently, my husband, our six children, and I all share a one-room structure, and there's simply not enough space for everyone. I believe that having a two-room house would be the best solution, with one room for the children and the other for us as parents. I hope that the remaining cash transfers will enable me to make this aspiration a reality.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I primarily used the cash transfer to start a business making and selling donuts, pay my children's school fees, and buy food. My husband, as the main provider, depends on house construction to support our family of six children and me. He carries a heavy burden of responsibility, and it can be challenging for him to cover all our needs with his limited income. So, I spent $18 to purchase utensils like pans, wheat flour, and cooking oil to kick-start my donut-making business. I had tried running this business before, but it did not do well due to a lack of customers. I'm hopeful that it will do much better now, especially with the increased number of households in our area. I also used $20 to pay off my children's school fees, as they had accumulated some debt and were at risk of missing school. The remaining money was used to buy food. I'm pleased that this ensured my family had enough to eat, and my children did not miss their studies.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With a deep longing for a better living situation, I have embarked on the mission of constructing a two-room house for my family. Currently residing in a single room with my six children, the need for more space has become a pressing concern. Fueled by determination and love, I am taking on the challenge of building a sanctuary that will provide comfort, privacy, and room for our dreams to flourish. To achieve that, I am really doing my best to save enough so that I can easily and confidently embark on my house construction process.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Brimming with gratitude, I joyfully offered a tithe of $4, symbolizing my deep appreciation to God for the blessings that had graced my life through a recent transfer. A sense of unwavering dedication to my children's education stirred within me, as I diligently allocated $20 to cover the school fees of my child in class five and another in class three. With careful consideration, the remaining $10 underwent a remarkable transformation, culminating in a delightful meal that nourished both body and soul. Thank you GiveDirectly for everything, I sincerely do appreciate all the sacrifices and support you have given us.
 
6th 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?
I have a lager family and the house that we currently live in is a small one roomed house. My plan is to build a bigger house that would accommodate my entire family well. Therefore I plan to look for a job and with the income that I would be earning together with the transfers would help me achieve my goals.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had 3 children who were sent home for school fees and I did not have the money to enable me take them back to school. Food was also another challenge for me, luckily, I received transfers from GiveDirectly that enabled me to settle the school fees arrears, I paid KES. 1700 for school fees and bought food with the remaining amount of KES. 1770.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
 
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly has helped the villagers have plans for the future. A lot of group saving has been happening which enables one to start a business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving this transfer, I was making charcoal and selling it at the nearby market. In 2019, I was diagnosed with asthma and the doctor recommended I stop with the charcoal business. Since then, I have been a stay-at-home wife. My husband is the breadwinner of the family, he takes care of me and my six children. He works as a masonry getting a wage of $10 a day. This money helps buy food and pay school fees for the children. I used the recent transfer to buy Maize flour at $10 and paid school fees for my children at $20.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the message confirming that I had received my transfer at around 9 pm. We were almost going to bed when the message streamed in. I had to hand the phone over to my spouse to confirm if indeed there was money in the account. For a moment we stared at each other in silence then burst into laughter. It was such a happy moment for us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being able to purchase food for my family is the biggest difference in my daily life. My spouse who is the main income earner was not successful to get the construction work he does for two weeks before we received the transfer. Having a child who needs home-based care, I can not engage in economic activity since I have to be there for him. Raising money for our meals was a challenge by then and in most cases, we skipped some meals. It would not have been any better without the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a son with a chronic illness that he developed while he was in class seven. He is currently twenty years old but does not walk. Despite seeking medical attention in various hospitals, his condition keeps worsening. Most people have severally recommended that I should invite a given spiritual doctor whom they believe does miracles but due to lack of funds, I could not. Therefore, when I received the first transfer, I spent KES 800 on the same. Healing is a process, and I am positive that he shall get better with time. I also spent KES 400 on two packets of cornflour for my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My house is tiny and in a bad condition. It serves all purposes including that of a kitchen during the rainy season. Normally, I do my cooking outside. Sometimes I feel so ashamed of my house especially when I receive visitors. I have always wished to build a house but lack of finances has been hindering me. This money from Give Directly has come as a blessing because I can now have a decent one bedroom house at a cost of 35,000 KES. I will be saving for three months then buying materials until I finally complete the construction.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Good health! My family and I have enjoyed continued good health the last six months. Nobody has fallen ill to the extent of visiting a hospital. Diseases are so stressful and drain finances that is why I am happy that we are well.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I depend on my spouse to provide for the family because I do not have any source of income. He works in town as a casual in the construction industry while I farm at home. Farming has been very unreliable in the recent past because of the dry climatic conditions. This has left my spouse as the sole bread winner. His jobs are very inconsistent and the pay is very little; around 900 KES in a day depending on the work. With a family of six children, it has proved very challenging to cater for their upkeep.