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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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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Kanze's Profile
Kanze's family
Kanze
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
55
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($373 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Once I get some money, I have a clear vision of my future goal and accomplishment. I want to start a shop business, one that would serve as a pillar of hope for my family's future. In this bustling establishment, I will proudly sell fast-moving goods, such as nourishing foodstuff and essential personal effects. With unwavering determination, I will work tirelessly to ensure its success, knowing that each day brings me closer to securing a brighter tomorrow for my loved ones. Through this venture, I will strive to create a stable income source that will not only sustain us but also uplift us, casting away the shadows of financial uncertainty. This shop will stand as a testament to the power of perseverance, love, and the unyielding pursuit of a better life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
As a recipient of GiveDirectly's generous donation, I can't help but praise their approach to assisting. The fact that they allowed us the freedom to decide how to use the funds made a significant difference in my life. It instilled a sense of empowerment and responsibility, knowing that I could make choices based on my family's specific needs and aspirations. This level of autonomy resulted in a degree of contentment and happiness that I hadn't experienced before. I am truly grateful for GiveDirectly's support, and I genuinely couldn't find any flaws in their approach. Their commitment to empowering individuals in need is commendable, and their impact on my life and the lives of others is undeniable.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Acquiring the cash transfers was a true blessing that transformed my family's life for the better. With $90, I was able to complete the construction of a small but comfortable house for my children. No longer did they have to seek shelter from friends, and this brought me immense peace of mind. Knowing that my children now had a safe and stable home filled my heart with joy and gratitude. Additionally, I invested $200 in purchasing five goats, which I saw as a potential lifeline during times of need. These goats not only represented financial security for the future but also provided a source of sustenance and income for my family since they have a high reproduction rate. With the offspring, I will be able to sell when the need arises. Furthermore, I used $190 of the cash to ensure that my children had access to education; a valuable investment in their future. Paying their school fees enabled two of them to continue their studies in secondary school and supported my youngest in their primary education. With the remaining amount, I bought much-needed food supplies, to ensure food security at home. I felt a sense of empowerment as I managed to stretch the cash transfers wisely, ensuring my family's well-being and a brighter path ahead.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($396 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I clearly remember my phone vibrating at around four o'clock in the evening while I was at my farm with one of my sons. I had to check who it was because I was so nervous, and once I realized that I had obtained my first cash transfer, I was happy. Therefore, I opted to go back home and notify my other five children regarding this wonderful news. After staying at home for over three weeks due to tuition arrears, I expressed gratitude to God for enabling my children to go back to school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since my partner passed away two years ago, I have been living a life of hopelessness. I am uneducated and unskilled, and it has never been easy for me to take care of six children alone. I relied solely on menial employment to make ends meet. My biggest problem lately has been having to raise their school fees. They would stay at home for weeks, which was a result of not paying the fees on time. This has broken my heart and caused me frustration. At times, I wish their father was still alive to support me. I occasionally thought I was losing it because I couldn't see any light ahead of me or get assistance from my in-laws. However, my main goal is to make sure that their academic path is successful and helps them establish their future. As a result, I don't take for granted the support that has given my children the chance to carry on their education. Even once the program is over, I believe the goats I purchased will help fund the educational needs of my kids. I am m grateful to GiveDirectly for their efforts to make my family content.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My six children could not be accommodated in the one room in my current house. However, because we have been squeezing into the same space, I feel like I am denying my children their privacy. I, therefore thought they required a new habitat. So, as soon as I got my first cash transfer, I purchased all I needed to build a new house, including iron sheets, building poles, and wood. I am now a happy mother for having finally been able to restore their joy and dignity as well as provide them with a comfortable environment in which to study at night. Additionally, I was able to purchase some goats, which I trust will be a dependable source of income for me to support my family. I can rapidly resolve any emerging financial crisis by selling one or two. I currently rely on odd jobs like making charcoal to earn a livelihood, and on a good day, I might make $5. Because I am a widow and all three of my children are still in school, the money I generate from this hustle hardly ever allows me to put food on the table since it's a temporary job. Additionally, I paid the fees for my two children, who are in grades 6 and 3, respectively. They have attended school on occasion, which has had an impact on both their performance and their ability to fulfil their personal goals. Finally, I bought enough food that has been sustaining us since then. Unlike before, when we could only afford to eat porridge or go without for days, at least now we can afford to have two full meals a day.
 
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Education being the key to a better life, I have had the desire to ensure my children are getting the best despite the financial crisis. This has forced me to engage in charcoal work to support them. My elder daughter who did her KCSE in 2021 is yet to collect her results due to the huge balance of $300. This situation has forced her to do house help work as a way of raising money but is yet to materialize. The arrival of GiveDirectly to us is a blessing and with this money, I intend to clear the school fee balance for my daughter. This will guarantee her a chance at a better job to support her siblings. Part of the transfer ($300) will help me to buy 10 goats to act as a long-term project for our future. In addition, this project will ensure I spare myself from the hard tasks but concentrate on livestock keeping. A portion of this money will help me to buy a new bed and a mattress at $150 to replace the old ones. The remaining amount will cater for other basic needs like school fees for my 2 kids in primary school and also to buy food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the financial crisis that I am currently facing in my household, I am so grateful for the tremendous efforts my children have in school. The fee challenges have taught them the need to work hard and put a smile on me. Although their performances have not been excellent, I am happy as a mother to see my children at average despite the hardships. This encourages me a lot to continue looking for means of keeping them in school. Hence, I consider this as what brings joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Subsistence farming, being my major source of livelihood has greatly been affected by the prolonged drought. This means I have to engage in alternative ventures, especially charcoal work to make ends meet. Since I have 2 children still in primary school, I find it so hard to sustain our needs at home. My job does not earn me much, say, $30 per month, an income that I get in beats. This has greatly affected my children's studies since they often miss classes. This situation has robbed away my joy because it pains me most to find myself not in a position to support my family of 4.