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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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Completed
Newsfeed > Kangombe's Profile
Kangombe's family
Kangombe
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
52
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($481 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Lack of peace of mind has been a huge bother in me. Living not knowing what the next meal for my family is was something hurting to think of. When I received the money message, I felt so excited and dumbfounded. Before GiveDirectly chipped in, things were bad, our living situation was pathetic. No food, no good shelter, no bedding, no livestock, on school fees. But since the day I received your support my life heavens opened. My family and I live in a good house not as before, we are sleeping on beds well dressed but initially we used to sleep on boards, we used to live in a congested house - single room house but now we managed to construct a second house. We can now afford some food not as before when we used to sleep hungry. My child is now comfortable in school no more worries as before when he was afraid even passing outside the teachers’ staff room.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly has no faults, we wish if it could be possible for them to add us another chance but since the terms and conditions do not allow, we wish the organization all the best as it steps to assist other people in other areas of need too.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of two children; my life was full of struggles in up keeping and raising my children. Sourcing for school fees for my children has been a tale for a while; thanks to GiveDirectly. My elder son completed his secondary school education and is now a casual laborer trying to see how he can define his life. The young one now in form three at Jila Secondary school. He has been a close friend to leave out sheets, being sent back home for school fees. I have been leaving in a small house which wasn’t enough for my family. It reached a time when my children were sleeping at their friends’ homes. Sleeping hungry was not a strange thing to my family. Upon receiving the second transfer, I paid school fees for my form three child; I constructed a bigger house and left the small one to my children. I also solved a long-term bedding problem. I bought nice clothes for my family and also bought two goats. I bought food stuffs with the remaining amount and up-to-date the food we are taking is as a result of GiveDirectly.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($506 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 preparing to go to my usual place of work for charcoal preparation. It was about 10 o'clock when I heard the message notification in my phone. My helper was around and she confirmed that it was the transfer I have been waiting. I felt very happy for receiving the transfer and I had to cancelled my days plan went to the Mpesa shop to withdrew the cash since I had no food for the family.
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 residing in a decent and comfortable shelter with my family. Previously I was spending sleepless night due to the leaking roof of my house. In addition, I was worried that the house might fall anytime which was risky to our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to purchase building materials including 18 iron sheets for $160, building poles, timber for $90, and paying labour charges. This was for the construction of a new house since the one I had was leaking due to the rusty roof and it had started to lean on one side. In addition, I used $70 to clear the fee arrears of my daughter who is in secondary school. This is because she was constantly sent home due to the fee problem something that has affected her performance. I also bought enough food with the remaining amount.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means boosting my daughter's education and this generally will contribute to a better living when she completes her studies. At the moment she is in form 2 and all that is possible due to my efforts of vending charcoal. I plan to ensure that I settle all the school fee arrears and also to pay the first term's fee, which will cost me 300 dollars inclusive. A portion of the transfers ($400) will help me to buy 10 goats that will multiply within a short period. This will act as my long-term investment plan to help me pay my daughter's school fee in the future. The remaining amount will aid in buying food and also sort out other basic needs like clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of my day because it is at this moment when I find time to relax and share a meal with my daughter. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I am always away from home. Mostly at the bush doing charcoal-burning, a job that is very energy draining.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband died when I have my firstborn and that forced me to assume all the roles as the household head. This has been a challenge to me since the jobs that I am engaged in are very strenuous but I am compelled to doing them to ensure my daughter's education is not affected. To some extent, I fell sick and fail to go out to work. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.