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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 > Lebana's Profile
Lebana's family
Lebana
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
34
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Lebana's next check-in.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($348 USD)
access_time 8 days ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My plan is to continue with agriculture, focusing on both crop and poultry farming, but I will mainly concentrate on chickens. I want to purchase an incubator so I can raise my own chicks instead of buying them. I also plan to supply eggs and chicks to people in the village because I know this project can make me rich in the near future. Additionally, when I have visitors, I will slaughter chickens for them, and their water will also serve as manure for my farms. I also aim to buy a water tank so my chicks will have enough water to drink at home. The income I earn from poultry will be used to plant tomatoes, which can provide high returns. I am really grateful to GiveDirectly for helping me improve my life, especially after the floods affected our agricultural lands.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The officers at GiveDirectly are very respectful and know what they are doing. They educate us well and are truly good people. GiveDirectly is very organized, and we have never seen a company like this before. I appreciate the positive attitude of the officers, and their happiness is contagious. Honestly, I have not noticed any weaknesses or problems; everything has been great. They focus on good things, and I can honestly say that my experience has been completely positive.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Starting a poultry project has been a dream of mine for a long time. With the unconditional cash transfer, I finally had the chance to make it happen. I spent $70 to buy 60 chicks because I believe chickens can provide eggs for our family, and I can sell any extras if needed. I also spent $70 on feed and $10 on medicines to keep the chicks healthy. I hope to earn about $700 a week by selling eggs at $20 per dozen. This money will be important for paying my children's school fees and covering our basic needs.I set aside $50 for my children's school fees because their education is important. I was mostly depending on farming and casual jobs to make sure I can pay for their fees and secure their future. I used another $50 to buy food for the family to ensure we have enough to eat. Sometimes, we rely on my wife's salary for food at home, so I thought it would be a better idea to relieve her of that burden. Additionally, I invested $20 in planting watermelon and beans on three acres of land to grow different crops and ensure we have enough food. Farming has always been my passion, and I enjoy growing crops and raising animals. In our area, we have a good opportunity to plant maize through a contract with Kenya Seed, which allows us to sell our maize at higher prices and earn more money. Overall, this cash transfer has really helped improve our lives, and I feel hopeful about the future. I have two children, and my wife is a teacher who helps support our family with her salary. However, I still handle most of the household responsibilities. With this poultry project and the crops I am planting, I am confident that we will do well as a family and secure a better future for our children.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($155 USD)
access_time 2 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a Sunday afternoon after church, and I was at home spending time with my family, which includes my two kids. Suddenly, I received a message from GiveDirectly, informing me that I had received $200. I was overwhelmed with happiness and immediately thanked God for this blessing. I shared the good news with my family, and in that moment, I felt like I had truly made it. I even thought to myself, "I am rich!" It was a wonderful feeling. As I celebrated, my mind quickly turned to the plans I had for this money. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. First, I wanted to boost my small poultry farming business, which had been struggling. Then, I planned to use the remaining funds to irrigate my four acres of maize farm. These investments would greatly improve our family's livelihood.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest change since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly has been my ability to gradually recover from the devastating floods. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I was able to save part of my farm, and despite the challenges, I managed to harvest 70 bags of maize. Although I had originally expected to harvest over 200 bags if not for the floods, I’m grateful for what I was able to salvage. Additionally, I’ve been able to get back into poultry farming. With the money from GiveDirectly, I bought 50 chicks, which is the largest number I’ve ever bought before this, the most I could afford was 20 chicks. This has made a big difference for me because I plan to sell some of the chicks and let others lay eggs, generating more income from selling the eggs. I’m truly thankful for what GiveDirectly has done for my life. The support has not only helped me recover from the floods but also allowed me to grow my farming ventures and secure a better future for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with excitement because I knew it would change my life, especially after the devastating floods that hit my village. I had a four-acre farm where I had planted maize, but it was struggling due to the floods and a disease called MLND. With the $200, I used $80 to maintain my farm, buying the necessary farm inputs and irrigating the crops. Despite the challenges, I’m happy to say that the money from GiveDirectly helped me harvest 70 bags of maize. I plan to sell these to sustain my family's needs and help us fully recover from the effects of the floods. I also have a small poultry farm that was on the verge of collapsing. I used $50 to buy 50 chicks and an extra $20 to buy their food, chick mash, and vaccines. The chicks are now doing well, and I plan to sell them when they grow, using the money to build a house and buy more chicks to keep the farm running and sustainable. The remaining $50 was used to pay school fees for my child, who is in primary school. This ensured that my child could continue learning without interruption. I am truly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly. It has made a significant difference in my life, allowing me to rebuild after the floods and secure a better future for my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time 4 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
To enhance productivity on my farm, I plan to invest $385 in agricultural farming. This will cover expenses for HDPE pipes, seeds, fuel for irrigation, and fencing for security measures. Additionally, I aim to expand my poultry farming business by allocating $154 towards purchasing more chicks, feeds, and expanding their housing. This will generate income through the sale of eggs and chickens. To address food shortages, I will allocate $77 towards purchasing food for my family. Furthermore, $115 will be used to purchase essential furniture and household items to improve comfort at home. Lastly, I will allocate $115 to partially cover my college fees, ensuring uninterrupted continuation of my studies.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Starting poultry farming has always been my dream. In January, I finally took the leap using my savings to purchase 30-day-old chicks. It was a joy to watch them grow. By May, I sold 15 of them, earning $46, which I reinvested into farm inputs. Seeing the project succeed and receiving a good return brought me immense happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My maize farm is struggling due to a lack of funds for irrigation. I lack money to buy fuel and HDPE pipes essential for watering the crops. Animal attacks on the farm are a recurring issue, compounded by the inability to fence the farm due to financial constraints. With no sustainable employment, providing food for my family of 4 is a daily challenge. Additionally, I am facing difficulties paying for my theology course and covering school fees for my child. Moreover, essential furniture for my house remains unaffordable due to financial limitations.