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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Sidi's Profile
Sidi's family
Sidi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($429 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Nothing would make me happier than to see all of my children complete their education and achieve the highest levels of academic achievement. I know they won't forget about me and will take care of me if that happens. In the near future, I hope to open a hotel. Its main focus would be on selling high-quality local delicacies like chapati, ugali, pilau, and so on. I believe that this will be the beginning of us as a family having more income and, as a result, a better life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am still amazed by GiveDirectly. They have enabled me to accomplish so much in such a short period of time. It's difficult to imagine my family, let alone our entire village, existing without GiveDirectly. They have become so ingrained in our psyche that they are practically considered family. We are in awe of everything they accomplish.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
While our bills aren't particularly large in comparison to others, I can assure you that they add up. Some are consistent, such as the $2 my husband  spends on transport each day when he leaves the house at 8 a.m. and returns at 9.30 p.m., or the $55 ($25, $15 $15, for the Grade 6 and two Grade 2 students, respectively) that we pay to Migumomiri Primary in tuition per term. As a result, GiveDirectly funds were directed toward school-related matters, ensuring that we were in the black for a few more terms ahead of schedule. My eldest recently completed Class 8 and plans to attend Jones Kaloleni Secondary School, the tuition for which we as parents have yet to pay. Our token reader was faulty, but the funds came in just in time.I purchased one bed for the children, while I was at it, got my husband and I a mattress . After stocking up on food in the house, we focused on growing my husband's grocery business with what was left of the funds. GiveDirectly being the salvation they are to not only myself, but also countless other recipients is a testament to just how impactful they are as a pillar on our societies.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On this day, my child was unwell. I had taken him to the hospital and while I was in town heading home, I saw the message confirming that I had received funds from give directly. I was in jubilation. I hurried home to inform my husband of the great news as he had not left for the city where he works. He was happy for me and together we started to plan how we would use the transfer. The first thing we agreed to do was buy a bed and two mattresses. This is so my children would sleep in their own room and on a bed. Most importantly, avoid my daughter sleeping at a neighbor's house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life has really been improved by the funds that I received from give directly. This is because my children now have a bed thereby my daughter won't have to sleep at a neighbor's house. I also got to buy a table and a solar panel to enable them to study efficiently without straining.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of five. My husband, who sells water in the city, is often not around. Leaving me to take care of them using the KES 500 he sends weekly. Since they did not have a bed, we would all sleep together on mine and when their father visited, I would have my daughter sleep at a neighbor's house. I never enjoyed this, as it always got me worried for her. So, when I received the funds from give directly, the first thing I did was buy a bed and mattress for my husband and I. I moved the one we had to the children's bedroom and also replaced it. I then went ahead to settle their school fees arrears of KES 4000. My house never used to have electricity, so during the night, my children would strain to study using a torch with books on their laps. To provide them with the comfort of smooth learning, I bought a solar panel at KES KES 27000 and a table. The remaining amount I used to buy some food as we had run out of it.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a structure that has mud walls and roofed with worn out iron sheets. The roof is already seriously leaking during rainy seasons and because of that the walls are also getting washed down each time it rains. I could have thought of repairing it when I get this money, but it's too dangerous to keep living in a temporary structure that is older than twenty years. I spend a lot of sleepless nights each passing day wondering whether it's going to collapse on us the next minute. 50000 KES off that money will definitely mean safety to me as it will enable to erect a new structure that is safe for our use as a family
What is the happiest part of your day?
I haven't had much to be happy about over the time. This is mostly because it's been draught for over the past two years making it impossible to involve in subsistence farming. It normally helps us supplement our food supply without which we're totally doomed. But I can't hide the joy I have had since I learnt that give directly is going to work in my village and there's a possibility of benefiting from the project.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest challenge is lack of a reliable source of income. I have been depending on my husband who is pulling casual jobs in some small towns around Kaloleni. He sends me around 4000 KES monthly meaning he earns less than 10000 KES. This is too little to feed five children for a whole month and also pay their school fees. Three of them are already schooling in upper primary. I haven't had any economic activity that can help me eek out my husband's income.