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 > Sidi's Profile
Sidi's family
Sidi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Sidi's next check-in.
 
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have to kids who are both in school .The eldest is in his last year in highschool and the other in his last year of primary school before he joins highschool. Now the one who is highschool was kicked out of school due to pending balance in school fees and also since they were about to finish with the national exam so as to finish highschool the school needed the rest of the money to clear his debt so he could sit for his exams. I had managed to save KES 3,000 by myself but the school needed about KES 3,000 more which I did not have so he was kicked out oof school and stayed home for almost a week. Eight days later I received the funds from GiveDirectly and I instantly took KES 2,500 from the transfers I had received and sent him back to school the following day. It was honestly such a huge relief because I felt helpless and had no idea how I would help my son. I remained with KES 500 which I used to purchase three packets of maize flour and laundry detergent.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my Opinion, GiveDirectly does well in terms of educating us about the organization and how it operates. This in turn gives us the go-ahead to decide on whether to be enrolled into the program or not. For me, this is something good and I would like to commend GiveDirectly for that.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the biggest portion of my transfer in paying school fees for my eldest son. My son is currently enrolled in college, studying mechanics. He is required to pay a whooping KSH 12000 every month as fees. I am very proud of his hard work and he gives me the motivation to always work hard and find money to pay his school fees. Prior to receiving the transfer, I had managed to pay KSH 10000. The remaining amount was KSH 2000. When I eventually received the transfer I spent it in clearing his fee balance. The remaining KSH 1000 was spent on buying food for the rest of the family. Due to the drought everything in, the shops is very expensive.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 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 from fetching water from a nearby tap. so when I arrived home, I cooked breakfast for my family. As I was making breakfast I heard my phone ringing and when I looked at it I found that I had received cash from GiveDirectly. I instantly became very happy. I was very excited that I had received the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The difference the money has made is that I am now optimistic that my child is going to go to college and continue with his education. I am certain once he finishes his education then he is going to help his siblings and me too. That’s the reason I am trying very hard so that he can college. Through the cash, I was also able to buy food. The food is a blessing to my family and we are grateful for that.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received KSH 1200 from Give Directly. I spent KSH 1000 on my Chama. I have one of my children who did finish his secondary education last year. Since then I have been hustling left, right, and center to be able to get school fees for him to join college. I then decided to join a Chama where I save money and by the end of the year, I will have saved enough to take my child to school. Through the Chama, I am also able to ask for a loan and with the loan, I can start a business and look after my children. In addition to the KSH 1000, I also spent KSH 200 on buying food for my family. The food stock in my house running out and I decide to add more so that we don’t run out of food.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My son completed secondary school level in 2018, an achievement that I so long wished. During then, I was burning and selling charcoal, a business that has so far flooded due to the harsh weather conditions. With that, I have never made it to take my child to college. The transfers will help me join hands with my firstborn son to take him to college.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happy to see my children have gone through school, an opportunity I did not have.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband died a long time ago, leaving me behind with 3 children. I was not working and the burden of raising the children overwhelmed me. My brother-in-law who I had high hope of his support abandoned me, he even sent us out of the home. It is something that whenever I remember, tears fall down my cheeks.