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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 > Zawadi's Profile
Zawadi's family
Zawadi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
45
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
beddings, goats, fees A lot has happened ever since receiving the transfer but the fact that managed to clear the fees arrear for my daughter makes me a happier and hopeful person on earth. I had no idea where I would acquire the money needed for her to get her certificates. Also, I am now sleeping comfortably in a nice bed and a new mattress. Before GiveDirectly visited my life, I was using old sacks as beddings and never enjoyed the joy of sleeping in a better place. Lastly, the goats that I acquired through the transfers have also transformed my life in such a way that, I can decide to sell the offspring and start my desired lucrative projects.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in my village and the whole region at large. The GD staffs are the most approachable people I came across, they were always ready to explain to us any time we could seek clarification through the hotline/toll-free. Also, there was no discrimination and everyone received the money equally without considering age or even tribe. Also, I do not see any sector GD has failed us so far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on clearing school fees balances for my daughter who had finished her secondary education the last two years. By the time he was sitting for her final exams, the fees arrears had accumulated and the principal assured us that she will be allowed to sit for the national exams but then she will only be given her certificates once we clear the fees. Also, I bought livestock such as goats at a total of KES 15000. I, later on, boosted my kiosk uses and I am now getting good returns and I can meet my family's needs with ease. Also with the reming amount of money, I bought food for the family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was having lunch with my family when I heard my phone ringing, I gave it to my helper who confirmed to me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed having received this support and thanked them for the financial support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My two children had huge fee balances and I was worried that they might be discontinued in their studies. Through this transfer, I cleared the outstanding fee balance and they were allowed to continue with their studies. I am at peace now that I have paid for them on time and I have adequate time to prepare for next payment. So far this is the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a larger portion of the transfer on paying fees for my two children who are in high school. I was worried they might be discontinued because I was not able to clear the arrears on time. I am happy as a parent because they are now comfortably continuing with their studies without any interruptions. I also bought a new bed and mattress to replace the old beddings that I have been using for years. At least I can now afford to sleep comfortably on my new beddings. I spent the remaining amount to do some shopping for my family on household items and also foodstuffs.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a peasant farmer growing maize and peas on my 3 hacteres farm.My desire has been to expand my activity so that I may have more harvest for my family consumption and for sale. Receiving this money means realization of my wish since I am planning to spend $ 450 on purchasing Oxen and ox-plow. Once this is accomplished I will be able to caltivate 4 more hacteres this will assure me of enough food for the family. The remaining amount will assist me in educating my children one in form 4 and 5 in primary School.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a farmer, I spend the big part of my day at my farm working until evening when I come back home to relax after a long day of work. It is at this time that I meet all my family members and share dinner together. Being a Christian family we always sing and pray together in the evening. Singing songs releaves me from the stress. Hence I consider evening as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Inadequate finances to fulfil my desire of expanding my farming has been my biggest hardship I am facing in my life. This has forced me to struggle a lot inorder to feed my family.