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.
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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Rehema's Profile
Rehema's family
Rehema
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Rehema's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 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?
First of all, my aim is to build a more stable house made of bricks to replace our current one, which I consider a "mad house." The need for a better house has been on my mind, and achieving this will bring me a sense of fulfillment and security. Additionally, I plan to invest in purchasing more livestock to expand my source of income. This increased revenue will enable me to better support my family and provide for their needs. With determination and the support of these GiveDirectly transfers, I am optimistic about the positive changes I can make for our future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used a portion of my monthly cash transfer from GiveDirectly to invest in livestock and poultry, spending $74. My plan is to resell them to generate income. This initiative was crucial for me, considering our financial struggles. I've been unemployed, and my husband's earnings of $3 from his small business barely cover our basic needs. With this investment, I'm hopeful for a brighter future, and it will remind me of GiveDirectly's support once the program concludes. I then used a portion of the transfer towards paying school fees for my five children, amounting to $14. It's been a constant worry for us, as two of them had to stay out of school for a month due to our inability to afford the fees. This struggle was tough before the assistance from GiveDirectly. Additionally, I spent $14 on essential food and household items, things I couldn't afford. The relief and joy I feel knowing that our basic needs are being met is indescribable. GiveDirectly has truly transformed our lives for the better, and my heart overflows with gratitude whenever I think about the impact it has had on our family.
 
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?
I am currently facing housing problems. Our existing house is constructed with mud walls, which may not withstand the frequent rains in our region. I fear that the walls may become soaked and eventually collapse, leaving my family without shelter. In the year to come, my goal is to build a house with brick walls, as I believe bricks are more durable than mud. Given the limited financial resources in my household, I'm unsure whether our current income from the casual jobs I do to make charcoal and my husband's work as a motorbike taxi rider will be sufficient to achieve this goal. Nevertheless, I'm hopeful that I can save money from the remaining cash transfers to work towards building my dream house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In the past month, we have experienced frequent rains in my village, and it motivated me to prepare my land for the upcoming planting season. At that time, I did not have enough funds to plow the two acres, so I used $34 from the cash transfers to cover the cost and ensure my land was ready for planting. This allowed me to plant maize, and I'm pleased that the crops are growing well. Additionally, I invested $24 to purchase a goat. I'm excited to have two goats now from the cash transfers, one of which is already pregnant. I believe that by raising goats, I can sell them in the future to support the education of my five children. This will be a significant relief to my husband, who works as a motorbike taxi rider to provide for our family. To further expand my livestock holdings, I also allocated $10 to buy a duck and $9 for two chickens. I directed $15 towards reducing the tuition debts of my five children, ensuring they can continue attending school without interruptions. The remaining $10 was used for purchasing food and covering the transportation costs for bringing maize from the farm to my home. Since the farm is located at a considerable distance from our home, we needed assistance with transporting the produce.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
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 establish a livestock-rearing project. By venturing into this endeavor, I aim to create a sustainable source of income that can provide support even if the project concludes. To achieve this, I have devised a financial strategy where I will save a minimum of $20 from my monthly transfers. With this consistent savings plan, I intend to kickstart the project within the next month and embark on a rewarding journey of livestock rearing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was in a financially desperate situation when GiveDirectly sent me the much-needed money. Paying for my children's school fees had become an overwhelming challenge, especially since my previous source of income, charcoal burning, was no longer viable due to the scarcity of trees. My husband's income as a motorcycle rider was insufficient to meet our needs. As a result, my five school-going children had been forced to stay at home until I could gather the funds. Furthermore, the recent rain after a prolonged drought presented an opportunity for farming, but I lacked the funds to pursue it. However, upon receiving the transfers, I felt a tremendous sense of relief. I allocated $14 among my children, allowing them to return to school, and used the remaining $20 for farming. I am immensely grateful to GiveDirectly for their invaluable support.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 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?
My main objective for this year is to start purchasing and rearing goats. I had yearned for this for years, but I could not realize that goal because I never had a reliable source of income. I am confident that it is a feasible project now that I have guaranteed monthly transfers. I love goats since they are valuable live assets and sources of milk and other food items. As a result, I will provide for my family's needs after GiveDirectly's transfer. Since my house is not in a good condition I also aim to repair the areas that are in worse shape.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am jobless and a mother of five children. However, my husband does motorcycle taxis to support our family. Immediately after I received my recent transfer, I spent $10 on two hens to boost my poultry farming venture. Once I succeed in running a poultry farm, I will prioritize selling part of my fowls to begin raising livestock, goats, and cows. In addition, the success of that venture will be beneficial in helping me to raise some fees for my children. Furthermore, I spent $10 on paying school fees, because my children had some fees arrears equivalent to $10. I saved the rest hoping to top up and buy a goat next month.
 
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?
Calling us to confirm the transfer is a good deed. It shows the organization cares and I am happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a stay- at home mother and I depend on my husband. He owns a motorbike which he carries people and goods at a fee. On a good day, he makes $5 which we use to buy food for that day. We are blessed with five children, all in school. My husband has been paying all the bills and I am thankful for him. Receiving this money has helped me buy food for $10 and bought a goat for $20. GOAL
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Before receiving the money I was actually at home stressed out of my mind because I had no idea where I was going to get the money to feed my family and we had already gone a couple of days without having a meal which was especially tough for th kids which made me feel as a failure. That is why I was literally over the moon as soon as I realized the funds had been sent out and I can almost swear I must have let out a small scream due to all the excitement.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Venturing into poultry farming has to be one of the greatest and most important project that I have started especially because I have hopes that eventually When I grow it and expand, it will help me incredibly to sort out my financial tribulations.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the recent transfers from the Organization, my biggest priority was to make sure my family and I had a meal especially because it had been a recurring challenge and also for the fact that it had actually been a couple of days since we had a meal. Therefore I used KES 1,000 to buy five packets of maize flour and then the remaining KES 200 I decided to buy three chicks with it since I want to begin venturing into poultry farming.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband and I have been thinking of ways that we can raise finances and improve our life. We live in abject poverty and as we all know, there is no dignity. We have five children with whom we share a single room. It is tiny and stuffy, especially at night. If we could start a livestock business, that would help us raise some money to build a house. Some decent space that will host all seven of us and allow everyone some privacy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I find happiness when my husband comes home from Mombasa where he works as a motorbike rider. Spending time with him and our children feels good and I never want those moments to end.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Nightfall to me brings with it a heavy heart. Watching my children fall asleep one by one on the floor creates a lump in my throat but I have to keep a straight face so as not to appear like a cry baby to them. Such nights are made worse by when they have to go to bed without food. May God make a way for us. My children deserve some comfort.