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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Newsfeed > Rodah's Profile
Rodah's family
Rodah
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Teaching
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Rodah's next check-in.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($348 USD)
access_time 1 day ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Next year, my husband and I are planning to lease a piece of land so we can start farming. We’ve been thinking about it for a while, and now seems like the right time. We want to focus on green peas and maize. You see, this is a farming region, and green peas are great because they’re drought-resistant. Even if the rains don’t come as expected, we’ll still have a chance at a decent crop. We’re waiting on one last transfer, and once that comes through, we’ll use the money to set everything up for the venture. We’re really hopeful that the harvest will be good. If things go well, we want to use the profits to open a small business. That way, we can stay independent and sustain ourselves without having to rely on anyone else. It’s a dream we’ve had for a while, and we’re ready to make it happen.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Their staff came to visit us to understand our living conditions, which made me feel seen and valued. They didn’t send middlemen; instead, they came themselves, which built trust right from the start. Throughout the process, they spoke to us with kindness and respect—there was no harassment or pressure, just clear communication. They explained everything thoroughly, so I knew exactly what to expect and how the funds would come. Even after receiving the money, GiveDirectly didn’t forget about us. They followed up to check how we were doing, ensuring we were managing well and finding out if the support made a difference. Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything about how they operate—they’ve done everything right. Their approach was transparent, respectful, and effective, which makes all the difference for people like us who rarely experience such direct and dignified support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing I did when I received the transfer was buy a three-seater sofa set for $50. We only had a two-seater, and whenever guests visited, it wasn’t enough to accommodate everyone comfortably. I also bought a table for $40 because we didn’t have one, and it felt awkward serving people without a proper place to put things. For $5, I got a plastic chair for one of my children since I had bought only one earlier, and the other child still needed theirs. I used $35 to buy a bag of maize and spent another $30 on other food items to ensure we had enough to eat for the month. With $40, I decided to boost my mandazi business. This small investment has really paid off, and now the business runs on its own without needing any more cash injections. Additionally, I used $15 to buy some clothes for the children so they could have decent things to wear both at home and when visiting relatives. The remaining amount, we decided to save. My husband plans to add it to his salary so we can buy a cow. Having a cow will not only provide us with milk but also help us improve our family's nutrition and cut down on some expenses. This support has truly given us a solid foundation, and I am optimistic about the future.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($155 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home with my husband and our two kids, feeling very broke. We had no money and were worried about how we would manage. Suddenly, I received a message from GiveDirectly telling me that I had received $200. I was overjoyed! I immediately shared the news with my family, and our home was instantly filled with happiness. My first thought was to sit down with my family and plan how we would use the money wisely. We wanted to make sure we prioritized our most pressing needs. At that moment, we had no food left to eat, so I quickly rushed to the nearby shop to buy just enough food for that day. We decided that my husband would go to town the next day to do the general shopping and buy everything we had budgeted for. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we were able to meet our urgent needs, and our home was filled with joy and relief.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly, I have experienced two major changes in my life. The first big change is that I no longer sleep on the floor. Before, I didn’t have a bed and had no choice but to spend my nights on the floor, which was very challenging. Now, I sleep in comfort and with dignity. The second big change is that my family now has enough food. We used to struggle with just two meals a day, but now, we can enjoy three meals daily. This has greatly improved our health and overall family life. We are joyful and incredibly grateful for this support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, my family and I decided to carefully budget the money based on our most urgent needs. At that time, we had no food to eat, and with two kids to take care of, this was our top priority. I allocated $80 to buy enough food for my family, and now we have plenty to eat. Our lives have greatly improved because we no longer worry about where our next meal will come from. Before receiving the money, I didn’t have a bed and had been sleeping on the floor. It was uncomfortable and tiring. So, I decided to use $50 to buy a bed. Now, I can enjoy a good night’s sleep with comfort. Another challenge we faced was having no chairs in our home. It was sometimes embarrassing when visitors came, and we had nowhere for them to sit. I spent $21 to buy three plastic chairs, and now when we have guests, they can comfortably sit down. With our immediate needs met, I used the remaining money to boost my small business, which was struggling at the time. I sell snacks, and the additional funds have helped me keep the business running. Thanks to this, I can now meet my daily needs and continue supporting my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time 5 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Nothing beats self-reliance and comfort. Five months ago, I started a mandazi business that has been earning my family of four $1 daily. However, I have been unable to expand it due to financial constraints. With the anticipated transfers, I plan to spend $200 on expanding this business. I also intend to spend $250 on cultivating a 1-acre piece of land that I plan to lease at the Perkerra scheme. Additionally, I will venture into poultry farming with $100 and use the rest for food and clothing for the household. I am excited about the prospect of having an extra source of income from the expanded mandazi business, allowing us to depend less on my husband, who is a teacher.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Five months ago, I took the initiative to start a mandazi business to become self-reliant. Staying idle and fully depending on my husband, who is a teacher, was something I wanted to avoid. I am grateful that this business has been earning my family of four a daily profit of $1, which goes towards replenishing stock. On good days, I use the extra profits for personal upkeep and food for the household. I am happy that I no longer have to wait on my husband when I need finances; instead, I can source the cash from my business.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Water scarcity is the biggest challenge I am currently facing. I often have to purchase 20-liter jerricans of water at $0.20 each. My family of four uses about four jerricans daily for our household needs. When I do not have the finances, I have to trek approximately 25 kilometers to the Perkerra canal to fetch water for the family. This journey takes a lot of my time and energy, and I am worried it will eventually impact my health. To make a living, I prepare and sell mandazi, but the $1 profit I make each day goes right back into purchasing stock for the business, leaving no extra money to save. Occasionally, I rely on my husband, who is a teacher, to help support the family.