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 > Karisa's Profile
Karisa's family
Karisa
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Karisa's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 2 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I believe it is possible to fulfill your dreams when you put your mind to it. I now have a clear set plan with my business idea. I have calculated an estimated that I will need about $1500 total to start this business. This is a lot of money even with the transfers. I plan to save till early next year where I will use whatever I have in savings to accomplish that dream and plan to expand as the business runs. I will continue savings with the village savings group to ensure my money is not redirected to anything else. This will allow me to marry as at now I am yet to marry due to my financial status.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been working in a shop for a while now and through looking at our books I saw significant profits. I talked to my employer and he encouraged me and told me that with discipline I could run a similar establishment that will be able to provide finances to me. My plan was to start saving ion a village savings group which I will be able to withdraw my cash after a while and invest in my business of choice. I joined an existing savings group where we are required to save around $20 monthly. I always make my monthly subscriptions from my transfers. The remaining $14 takes care of my meals for me daily.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My primary objective is to establish a thriving retail shop, a venture that holds immense significance for my family's well-being. As the sole breadwinner responsible for providing for my family of eight, I am committed to creating a sustainable source of income. I have begun saving towards this endeavor and aim to open the retail shop by mid-next year, with a budget of $100,000.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received the GiveDirectly transfers at a crucial moment in my life. As the eldest sibling in a family of eight, I have always taken on the responsibility of ensuring my younger siblings' education remains uninterrupted. With the recent funds I received, I allocated $10 to clear their school fees arrears, ensuring they can continue their education without any hindrance. Additionally, I used $4.70 to purchase essential food supplies for our household. Moreover, I made a significant step towards securing our family's future by saving $20 from the transfer. My goal is to start a retail shop business, which will not only provide for my family's needs but also create opportunities for financial stability in the long term. The GiveDirectly transfers have brought immense relief to my family, and we are forever grateful for the support.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to open a kiosk in my village, and I estimate that I will need approximately $1000 to cover the initial costs and rental fees. By saving $20 from each cash transfer every month, I am taking gradual steps toward achieving this objective. Opening my own business will not only provide me with a source of income but also create opportunities for growth and success. I am committed to making this goal a reality and utilizing the cash transfers as a stepping stone toward achieving financial stability and improving the well-being of my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I aim to establish a kiosk business in my village and to make this a reality, I have been setting aside $20 from each cash transfer I receive. Currently, I am employed as a shopkeeper at someone else's store, and this experience has further motivated me to pursue my dream of owning and running my own business. It has always been my desire to have a business of my own, but the financial constraints within my household have been a hindrance. Also, as the sole breadwinner for my family, I bear the responsibility of providing for the eight members of our household. With my scant earnings, I can barely provide daily meals for my family. This is where the remaining $14 from the cash transfer usually goes. This has ensured that my household obtains enough food for an extra few days.
 
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 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?
For the past two years, I have been working for someone as a shop attendant. I have learned some business management skills through that, and I have set a goal of starting my shop business. I have realized that the shop business is profitable. I have saved $400 towards the said goal. I will therefore be able to earn more money from that business, making it easier for me to help my parents raise money for their basic needs. My parents are both elderly and unable to do casual jobs to support themselves. They require more assistance, and I believe I will be able to support them once my goal materializes.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For a couple of years, I have longed to start up a shop business. In the last year, I gained business management skills as I worked for someone as a shop attendant. This birthed the idea of striving to begin and run my own shop. So whenever I receive my transfer, I always save the whole of it. Similarly, upon confirmation of my recent transfer, I also opted to build my savings to accumulate sufficient capital. Managing my shop will help me to earn more. As a result, I shall find it easy to support my parents in meeting some of the family's needs. They are elderly, and they struggle to obtain food for the household. I hope with this it will be easy to help cater to the needs of all my siblings.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly has done well because through the funds, many people have been able to provide food for their families and opened up the community to small saving groups which have brought about many development projects
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am currently working as a shopkeeper in a nearby grocery. I have been saving up all my cash transfers from the time they enrolled me in the program. My experience in the shop has given me an insight into how the grocery shop operates. I have established the pros and cons as well as developed an interest in owning my o grocery business. Currently saved all my $60 with a plan to save up to $100 to start up.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
In my life, I had never gotten any support similar to what GiveDirectly promised me at the enrollment stage. When I realized that I had finally received my first transfer, I felt super good and had some unusual peace at heart. It made me believe that my dream of starting a business would soon come to pass. I came to learn about my transfer at around mid-day, at 11.00 am. Although I was held up then, I could not control my joy. I longed I was with my parents at that moment to share with them the such good news. I am forever grateful to GiveDirectly for such a great help.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before I received my first transfer, I had not begun building up my savings. However, from the time I received the first transfer, I have learned the value of savings. I have so far saved KES 4,000. I am aiming to build it up to raise adequate capital. As a result, I am very hopeful that my life will change for the better. I will be able to attain independence and be supportive to my immediate family members.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I received my recent transfer, I have not spent a single cent. However, I opted to spend it on building my savings to start a shop business. I have been working for someone for over two years now. I have learned how profitable a shop business is when well managed. Therefore, I long for my own business because through it, I shall obtain my independency. At the moment, I am still single and would wish to prepare well in terms of raising dowry and having a reliable source of income for my family when I marry.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My one year experience as a shopkeeper has given me enough skills and confidence to run a shop. My current employer pays me 3000 KES a month and it is not easy to save. This is owing to the fact that I am the main breadwinner in our family of ten and thus a bigger percent goes to food. With these transfers, I see my dream of owning a shop come to reality. My plan is to add 2000 KES to my monthly transfers for savings until I hit 50000 KES. This amount will be enough to set up the business in Mwakwala center, a place that I have identified to be very suitable.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My job! I am able to make sure that my family doesn't go even two days without eating. If things get extremely bad the shop owner is kind enough to allow me to take necessities such as sugar, flour and oil and deduct this from my salary at the end of the month. It fills me with joy when I see my family has food and can go some days without worrying about sleeping on empty stomachs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My father is really old with so many health issues and my mother passed away. This means I have to be the breadwinner. It is a huge burden providing for everyone else. I have to buy food or pay for medicine when the children are sick. I don't make enough and this has been stressful. All of these responsibilities have prevented me from saving and being financially stable. I am not able to grow as an individual and I also don't even have my own house. I have to sleep at my cousins. It hurts to be in such a situation.