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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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Zeddy's Profile
Zeddy's family
Zeddy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
52
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($501 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I would not have started the construction that is ongoing now. I could not have bought the three goats. I depend on the small scale farming to earn an income by selling the produce at the market near home.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving us unconditional cash transfer to enable us to meet the basic needs. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well since all the promises were fulfilled.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spend part of my second transfer on to finish constructing the house that I had started using my savings from the casual jobs in the village but due to the fact that not had other sources of income, I was not able to complete the construction on time. Currently, I am in a position to complete and ensure that my family has a decent place to sleep. I also bought three goats and the rest of the money I used it to buy food for the family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($517 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Being able to pay most of my children's school fees for the year has brought me a lot of joy and relief which is the biggest difference in my daily life. I mostly depended on farming for income by selling the produce such as beans which usually provides a little money that is barely enough for our own needs, let alone paying fees for my three children in college. This is usually stressful as I have to work extra hard each day to raise more money, especially for the fees so that the children can fully stay in school. Now, I don't have to strain as much as I did before, all thanks to the transfers that took that huge responsibility off my shoulders. Owning a cow has also been a very huge difference because this is something I have always wanted to own but could not due to low income, but now I do and I thank Give Directly for the generosity.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just woken up when I received a message notification. Upon checking, I realized that it was a confirmation of receipt of the transfer. I was very excited, especially because I knew that I would finally be able to fulfill my long term desire of buying livestock among many other things that I struggled to achieve due to my low income.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
My biggest wish was to own livestock which I could not afford due to my medium income from farming that mostly takes care of my children's school fees, especially those in college. When I received the transfer, I spent most of it on a dairy cow and two sheep. The cow will always be a reminder in our lives of this program and its great impact on our lives. It will also later supply us with milk for household consumption and even extra for sale. I used the money I had left entirely to clear my children's fee balances from their various colleges.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
This money from Give Directly has come as a big relief for me. I have 3 children in college and I was at the brink of giving up come next year because of the school fees that they need. Ksh 80,000(800 USD) of the money that I will receive will go into paying their school fees. I believe education is an investment and I know my children will come and help us later when they finish college and get employed. The remaining part of the money will help me buy a dairy cow. This will boost my income and even help in paying school fees in the near future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After milking my cows in the morning ,I go to the farm to tend to my crops till noon.In the afternoon I spend time doing house chores. The happiest part of my day is in the morning when the day is still young. I always feel fresh and strong when starting a new day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is providing the basic needs for my family as well as education. I am a subsistence farmer and what I get from my farm is not enough for my 7 children. I cultivate 1 acre of my farm and I get very low yield mainly because of crop diseases that has been a nuisance for several years now.