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 > Zawadi's Profile
Zawadi's family
Zawadi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
45
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($461 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 have a new goal which is to start a business selling a variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, kales, onions, and cabbages among others. This is business is so profitable because we one person who operates this kind of business in the village. Most of us have been going to town to seek the commodities which are tiresome. I, therefore, think of starting up one, so that I can learn a living considering that I am currently jobless.
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 in the entire village and this is evident in the appearance. Initially, all our houses were grass thatched but for now, we are all sheltering in iron-roofed houses. Apart from that, all our children who had dropped out of school as a result of the arrears are now in school. According to me, this organization has not done anything that is not good so far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying fifty chickens and two goats at a total of KES 10000. I settled for them because their offspring mature very fast as compared to the other domestic animals. Once they multiply, I am planning to sell some and sort any arising bills such as school fees. To add to that I settled the huge school fee balance of KES 5000 for my son who is in his second year. I now have peace of mind because he is studying without any hiccups that he has been facing before. Additionally, I gave my spouse KES 5000 so that he could boost his business ( selling charcoal). In addition, I bought a bicycle which cost KES 8500 which has been of help especially in transporting water from the dams. It has always been tiresome carrying the jerrican using our hands considering the dams are 5KM away from the dams. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household needs like utensils.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just arrived from fetching water at the only remaining water pan due to the drought we are experiencing in our area. I had walked for 3 hours with 20litres on my head I was extremely tired. I was relaxing in my house when I received the message alert on my phone. After checking, I realized that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt very happy for receiving my transfer. I had to wait until the next day to travel to my husband's workplace to inform him as well as plan together on how we could spend 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 a happy parent after acquiring a solar panel for my family. I will no longer have to purchase kerosene for the lamp daily which is very expensive. In addition, my kids are learning and doing their homework without any problems. I am positive that their performance will improve since they are about to do their night studies daily.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 5100 to start poultry farming by purchasing 50 chicks. I had a good experience in this job since I use to do it in our women's group project. In addition, I spent KES 5000 to boost my goat rearing by purchasing 2 goats a future investment for the family. I also spent KES 3000 to pay part of the fees arrears for my firstborn who is in secondary school. Furthermore, I used KES 18,250 to purchase a solar lighting system for my house. I will use it as a source of light at night as well as charging my phone. Similarly, my secondary school kid will be using it in his night studies. I saved KES 10,000 which I am planning to purchase oxen to assist me in ploughing my farm. The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing enough food for the family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means good education to my children. This has been my ambition to educate them so that they can have a bright future, but due to financial challenges, this dream has not come to pass. To achieve this I intend to spend 60,000 shillings to purchase a pair of oxen and 5 goats. The pair of oxen will enable me to cultivate a large piece of land during the rainy season and harvest enough food which I can sell the extra and pay for school fees. Also, I will hire them to cultivate people lands and earn 2500 shillings on each acre which is a source of income too. I will be able to sell the goats when they multiply and educate my kids. The remaining part of the transfer will invest in renovating the roof of my house which leaks during rainy seasons.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of the day. This is because I can work and provide for my family's needs such as shelter. It is at this time when the weather also favors my kind of job. This is different from morning when I can not perform an task.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Besides me being a hard-working woman. Attaining a good job has been the biggest challenge in my life. I work as an aloe vera harvester, this job is very tiresome and earns me 1000 shillings per kilogram in a week. This amount is too little and can not sustain all our basic needs such as education and shelter.