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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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Nzingo's Profile
Nzingo's family
Nzingo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
41
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($466 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had the plans and was thinking about them all along as I waited for this second transfer. I wanted to get myself a better and proper house as I used to sleep in a makeshift one that hardly had space to accommodate myself and my children which used to force me to be sleeping on the mud floor. This used to be the case because I couldn't afford to get myself the house I desired as my charcoal burning and selling business hardly raise enough and the little it could raise was mainly shared between school fees for my children and food. Therefore, I am so grateful that with the second transfer, I was able to get the house that I desired.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I was able to get livestock from the program which is very important during the rainy season for agricultural activities. With these cows that I will be using to plough my farm, I will be able to get food in plenty for my family. In my opinion, everything went well and I didn't see anything that did not go well or needs improvement.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 40000 on building a better and proper house because I used to live in a makeshift house that hardly had enough space for my whole family and used to force me to sleep on the mud floor and allow my children to share the bed. My charcoal burning and selling business had a very low income that couldn't enable me address this challenge I was as facing, therefore, I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for I got the house that I had desired for so long. I now have a better place to sleep as well as a very good place I use as a kitchen to prepare food for my family. I am so proud and happy.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in the forest busy preparing charcoal for sale. I remember it was almost 10 am when I received a message notification on my phone. Being illiterate, what I could only remember is that I was expecting my cash transfer from GiveDirectly as promised by officers during enrollment stages at that date. I had to stop my job and go home for my spouse to check my phone if it was the transfer. I was overwhelmed with joy when I was finally informed that I had received the transfer. We had a moment of celebration and thanked the Organization for 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 am living a better life after receiving my transfer. I can easily meet my family's daily needs without much struggle. In addition, I am confident that I will be able to reside in a decent and more spacious shelter once I complete the construction of of my house. I am grateful for the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Constructing a spacious house for my family has always been what I had desired in my life. This is because the one we have is very small to fully accommodate my family members and the household properties. After receiving the transfer, my priority was to purchase the building materials. I spent KES 25000 to acquire building poles, 16 iron sheets, and timbers. In addition, I spent KES 18,000 to purchase 6 sheep, to boost my livestock rearing. This is a long-term investment for my children I will be able to sell them on profit to fund their educational needs. I also used KES 4000 to clear the fees arrears for my 3 children who are still in primary school. Similarly, I spent 3000 to purchase new school uniforms and some home clothes for them. They were going to school with old and torn uniforms something that humiliated me whenever I escort them to school every morning. I used the remaining amount to purchase sufficient foodstuffs for the family. Lastly, I bought hay since we experiencing drought and lack of pastures for the livestock.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved living standards for my household. I plan to achieve this by spending Ksh.30,000 to build a two-roomed house. I will also spend Ksh 28,000 to buy two indigenous cows and an ox plough. This will help me to farm my shamba as well as hire to my neighbors and earn a living . The remaining amount will help me to cater for food and paying school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening.This is because I share meals with my children and chart before I go to sleep.Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours, when sometime I miss food to give my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life is food insecurity. I am a housewife and my husband depends on a casual Labor-charcoal burning business which earns him very little. Due to this, I have been struggling to put food on the table.Sometimes, I am forced to borrow from neighbors, something that is embarrassing.