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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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Newsfeed > Kanze's Profile
Kanze's family
Kanze
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 23 days ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Repairing my house and making sure it is fit for habitation is will be my biggest accomplishment this year. This will allay my worries about the house collapsing and hurting my family members physically. I also want to launch a vegetable and fish business. This will increase my revenue from selling charcoal, which will enable me to become more financially secure and easily meet my family's needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A few days before I got my February transfers, my husband, who was the only provider for the family, passed away. This was very sad, and it caused my entire family a great deal of harm. My three kids, who attend Kabatheni Primary School, now rely on me to cover their tuition fees. My income from charcoal sales is insufficient to support all of my needs, so I am unable to fully provide for the needs of my children. I spent $4.5 on two packets of maize flour and 1/4 kg of sugar. After consuming a substantial ugali meal, this made my kids' faces brighter once more. Additionally, I bought three bags of cement worth $19.5 from the amount that was left over. I worry that one day my house will fall apart because it is in such poor condition. Purchasing cement will assist in remodeling the home and enhancing its condition so that it is safe for habitation. Finally, I save $10 in a savings group. As the family's sole provider, I intend to launch a small business that will enable me to secure my financial future and provide for my family.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was really excited when I realized their level of the transfers and this is because I was really anticipating for them. I have had the intentions to renovate my house because it is almost on the verge of collapsing. Therefore I've been using a portion of each transfer to help me finance the project. This time around I ended up spending KES 2,000 out of the transfers I had received and purchased bricks. Afterwards I decided to spend the balance of KES 1,000 to pay tuition for three of my children because it had actually been over a week since they had attended school.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the transfers from the organization I immediately decided to try and settle the debt in school fees thatcmy children especially since they had been out of school for a week because of it. So I ended up paying KES 1,000 for the three of then but unfortunately the debt was not done and as of now they are back home and have been asked not resume school until all debts are cleared. I also used KES 1,000 to purchase five packets of maize flour because my family were already going hungry since we had no food. In thd end u used the remaining KES 1,000 and put it away in my savings account because I planned to let the accumulate and later own renovate my mud house by building a better foundation because it looked like it was about to collapse.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly does well by giving me transfers to improve my livelihood. Nowadays, I get to eat regularly and pay school fees from the money Give Directly sends. There is nothing the organization does wrong. I am grateful for being a part of their success, and wish them well in their daily endeavors.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For the longest time, I intended to renovate my house by installing concrete walls around its core. The estimated cost for acquiring the required bags of cement is KES 12,000. Being a casual laborer, it is hard to afford this amount. Therefore, when I received my transfer, I contributed most of it, KES 2,000 towards a self help group, so that it can multiply and allow me restore the house in time. For the remaining cash, I spent KES 600 on school fees and KES 400 on medical expenses.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the money after my helper checked out for me. I do not know how to read and write. He helped me find out that I had received the money and I was so happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Life is good unlike it would have been if I never received the money. I live and differently and I am planning to save to build a house. The dream I Would have not lived if I never received the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The money came when I least expected. It brought happiness in my family and we're are a one big family now. The money helped me in paying Kes. 500 for my children school fees, and buying food with the remaining Kes. 700. I am a mother of three. Two boys and a girl. 10years, 8years and 5years respectfully. I am currently jobless and solely depend on my husband who is our breadwinner. He is a casual worker and a farmer and so am I. Drought is so great and it has been like this for some time now. We are not able to plant or even harvest. My children are in nursery, class one and two respectively. And I live in a polygamous family. Thank you so much for this help. It has brought hope in my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Prolonged drought is the mother of all these challenges that I am facing. I am in a polygamous setup and I have to take family responsibly for my three kids since my husband is now old and unproductive. Before the drought, I used to sell firewood to earn living, ever since the drought started, the demand for firewood went down since many people who used to cook three meals a day now cook one or two meals. Previously, I used to sell 10 bundles a day where one was going for Ksh 100 nowadays, the price and demand has gone down and I can only sell three bundles on a good day with one going for Ksh 30. With this amount, I can't afford to buy food, water and pay for school fees. It's been a struggle to get at least one meal a day, yesterday we slept hungrily and I'm yet to know what I will give my kids in the evening. Receiving this money means I will be able to cater to the basic needs of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Honestly, nothing has brought me joy this year because it seems like it was made for suffering. All in all, I thank God for the gift of life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Scarcity of water has been the biggest challenge that we are facing currently. I go for water in as far as 40 kilometers from here and I can only carry one 20ltrs jerrican. This is only enough for drinking and cooking. We bath once a week and with the prevailing got temperatures, it's been uncomfortable to sleep at night.