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
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Sidi's Profile
Sidi's family
Sidi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
53
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($416 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the months to come, I hope to start a business that will involve selling fresh vegetables and fruits in my village. I came to think of this kind of business after conducting research and finding out that it is very profitable. Thus, I believe that once I can run it, I will be able to provide for my family without straining like I used to.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has been doing an amazing job, especially in my village. The cash transfer has for sure changed my life, and I believe it's because of the freedom they granted me concerning how I would use the money. Some of the projects that I had, such as the renovation of my house, would probably take decades for me to accomplish. Therefore, I will forever be grateful, and I do not see anything that needs to be changed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a portion of my second transfer on buying bags of cement, sand, and gravel. I had intended to renovate my house, which has holes in some walls. Therefore, I decided to plaster it as well as cement the floor since it was also muddy and dusty. It was so annoying when cleaning it, even during the rainy season. Also, dust is affecting our health all the time. We could end up coughing uncontrollably. I feel relieved now that the house looks so decent and new. I no longer complain of the dust or the cold nights as before. Also, I spent around $100 on school fees for my four children, who are in primary school. Their exam was first approaching, and I am certain that they wouldn't be allowed to sit for it unless they cleared the arrears. I am thankful for having cleared the balance on time. This has however been the main challenge since I am a widow; catering for their other basic needs is sometimes not attainable because of the meagre incomes. With the remaining amount, I bought food for my four kids and other household items.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($443 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was with my helper that day when I heard my phone ring. I got the phone and gave it to him to read and tell me what message it was since I could not read it by myself. I felt very happy when he informed me that GiveDirectly had finally made good their promise of sending us cash. I was expecting to receive the money but not on that particular day. I felt happy that I was finally going to destroy out old house and put up a brand new one. This is a project that was always in my mind but I could not do it because of lack of enough finances. I later withdrew the money and began the construction of a house as we had earlier planned.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since we received GiveDirectly transfers is in the investments that we made with it. Looking at the house that we have built to completion and other investments such as the goats that we bought makes me so happy. The new house has provided us with the much needed comfort in our homes while the goats that I bought shall help is meet other expenses such as payment of school fees in future. These are assets that have made us financially independent as well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received a sum of $550, I used $100 to buy two goats for rearing. Another $100 was shared among my four children as payment of school fees. I then used all the remaining amount to build a new house. My husband passed on recently and I was left with the responsibility of raising my family all by myself and because of the casual work that I normally rely on to make ends meet, I could not raise enough money to do some of the things that I did. The goats that I bought shall help me in future to make ends meet and to meet other costs such as payment of school fees. I am so happy and grateful to GiveDirectly for the support that they gave me and for what it has done to me and my family. I have not only settled my children in school for the next term but also in the process of putting up a better structure as our new home.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a list of priorities but reinforcing my house and supporting my children's education top the list. Considering that I do not have a helper, I am the only primary breadwinner in my family of 5. This means I will not have any chance to make my house better if I won't take this advantage of GiveDirectly's grant. I am, therefore, planning to spend $400 of my money to ensure my house is reinforced with stones and cement including smooth-finishing the floor. This will guarantee me peace of mind to continue running other duties in the house. The remaining portion of the first transfer will settle the school fees for my 2 children who are in grade 7. On the other hand, I will buy 5 goats for $200 with my second transfer which will act as my long-term project to support my children once they join secondary school. The remaining amount will cater to my very basic needs including food, new clothes, and decent bedding. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It is exactly 5 months now since my husband passed away, a situation that robbed us of our joy as a family. This has affected me psychologically because I am always thinking about how I will take care of my 5 family members. I am only keeping hope that the grant from GiveDirectly will set a smooth path for me to a better future. I, therefore, consider this grant as what will give my life meaning going forward.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Losing my husband! This is the toughest situation that I am currently undergoing since early June this year. I have been so down and I find my life lacks meaning because I do not have any plans to cushion my family of 5. Being a widow now with no reliable source of income becomes a double grief to me and the hope is only on my son who is a casual worker in Mombasa. What a life of pain!