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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Zawadi's Profile
Zawadi's family
Zawadi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Teaching
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($535 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had already given up on my dream to further my education after I go married and my husband who was the breadwinner unfortunately his income could barely meet most of the household needs . I thought of ways to finance my dream through doing casual domestic jobs but it was difficult . I got to use the money that I had raised on my family's emergencies . Receiving these transfers gave me another chance to realize my dream by enabling me to pay the fees and enroll for a teaching course at the diploma level . I am so pleased because, with this training, I will be able to secure a better job and support my struggling family . I have been able to expand my house as well to the courtesy of GiveDirectly .
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly had an good idea of giving financial aid in the form of money since they understood people have varies needs that they do prioritized . Therefore , this resulted to beneficiaries acquiring what they needed most . I do not see did wrong its work .
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second to complete the construction of my house which I was extending . Today, my family and I enjoy staying in a nice and spacious livelihood . The remaining amount I paid my enrollment fees to college . I am happy that I am pursuing my dream of being a scholar once more.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
For sure, I do not know the best way to express my gratitude to GiveDirectly because I was not at peace at all having been trained to be a teacher. My expectation was to get a job but my certificate was withheld by the institution due to a fee arrears. I stayed for many months and because I didn't have the cash, I could not collect it on time, I could not apply for any job vacancy that came on my way. I thank GiveDirectly because it's through this money that I cleared my arrears and was issued my certificate, I can now apply for a job any time, which makes it to be the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received my money at a time when I was helpless, having tried all my means to collect my certificate and I couldn't raise the amount of money required. When I saw the Mpesa message, I was greatly overjoyed and my hope of collecting the certificate was renewed when I discovered that I had received KES 55000 on my phone. I felt peaceful and happy because at least I would be able to apply for a job in the nearby schools.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I had done and completed a course training to be a teacher and my certificate was withheld because I couldn't clear the outstanding tuition fee balance. When I received my first transfer, I took KES 10300 to clear the balance and I now have my certificate. I am happy that with this certificate, I can seek and be employed any time soon. I also purchased building materials such as iron sheets, cement and sand in order to construct an extension of a single room on my house in order to accommodate my children. My house is not spacious thus my children previously had to seek shelter elsewhere at night. I am glad that currently we are all accommodated under one roof. I spent the remaining amount of the transfer to buy two goats to keep in my homestead. I am expecting them to reproduce and increase in number. I can readily lean on them in case of financial difficulty.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My priority is to complete my studies so I can finally practice teaching which is my passion. I plan to clear my fee balance of about 10,000 shillings so I can get my certificate in Early Childhood Education and proceed with a higher diploma in the same course. I also want to purchase two water storage tanks worth 30k each so I can deal with the water shortage menace that has grappled our village. Currently, we spend about 300 shillings a day to purchase water for home use alone.
What is the happiest part of your day?
During the day, my house is too quiet because the children are at school and I get very lonely and bored. In the evening though, when they get back, it is lively making it the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Though my husband is a teacher with a relatively good salary, he has too many responsibilities in the family. His mother and siblings all look up to him for financial assistance such as for food, education, medication etc since they are not employed and only rely on casual jobs for survival. He is also servicing a loan he took to build our current home that cost him almost 600,000 shillings. With all this on his back, he could not afford to pay my college fees thus my studies had to take an abrupt halt. However, with Give Directly transfers, my dream of becoming a teacher will surely become a reality.