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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 > Kazungu's Profile
Kazungu's family
Kazungu
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
60
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($420 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?
Supporting the education of my six children and providing for their daily needs like food is my priority. Since they are in primary school, and they have a long way before completing at least the high school level, I would be happy if I obtained a reliable source of income to fund their education. Right now, there is nothing I can do to raise money given my unstable health condition from the illness. Although my elder brother sometimes chips in for their school fees, I would never wish for him to bear that burden. 
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I commend Give Directly for giving me unconditional cash transfers. The money alleviated the hardships that my family was facing by providing them with food and paying school fees for my children. Additionally, when I fell ill, the cash covered my hospital expenses. If it were not for Give Directly, am not sure what would have happened to my health. Though am not yet healed, am afraid the condition would have deteriorated had I failed to receive treatment. According to me, there is nothing that the organization could improve on. 
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the second transfer, I was undergoing a tough period. I had fallen so sick that I could not leave the house to work and provide for my family. Getting proper treatment was my priority and I spent at least $100 both on scanning procedures and medication. Am sad that despite receiving the treatment, my condition has never improved to date. I also spent $70 on two mattresses for my children and me to replace the palm-leave mats that had been serving as our bedding. At least, our nights of sleep are more comfortable than before. Next, I used $9 to acquire a bag, that I later gave to my son who was joining junior high school. I was obliged to spend the remaining funds solely on food, which ensured my family enjoyed regular meals as I waited to recover from the illness. My heart breaks that the money was depleted yet I have not regained the strength to return to work. 
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($463 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just taken my medication and rested on the bed since I was sick. I was at home with my spouse chatting when I received the Mpesa message on my phone. After checking, I saw the money from GiveDirectly on the account. I felt happy about receiving the transfer that would assist in renovating our grass thatched shelter that was leaking by putting up a new irony roof.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Living in a decent and respectable house like other villagers is the biggest difference in my life. I am no longer suffering during rainy seasons because of the leaking roof. This has reduced the cold-related illnesses that family members were suffering due to the poor condition of our structure. I am grateful for the transfer for restoring joy in our lives. We can now save the money on medication and invest them on other development projects.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It is the trend in our community that people are moving from living in the old grass-roofed houses to more durable modern iron roofed ones. My desire was to own a decent shelter like others. I spent KES 30,000 of the transfer to purchase 20 iron sheets, timber and paid the labor cost for renovating the house. The grass-thatched structure that I earlier owned was leaking. During the rainy season, I was spending the nights moving the bedding from one corner of the house to another. In addition, I bought new clothes for my wife since she was wearing old torn attires. I also spent KES 6000 to seek advanced medical care because of severe pneumonia. Nowadays, I am happy to recover fully and about to start working. With the remaining amount, I bought enough foodstuffs for the family since I could not work because of sickness.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Safety and dignity of my family is what it means receiving this money to me. I have a family of five children. I depend on casual jobs (constructing traditional houses) in the village to sustain my family. These jobs pay very little (KES 5000) for a complete house. Unfortunately they are unreliable and more often I may take a month or two without any job. This has made life very hard for me. All my earnings are solely spent on food and school fees for the three children. I live in a small mud walled and grass thatched house which leaks during rainy season. This has caused alot of stress because I get worried about the safety of my children. However, due to lack of enough money, I have become hopeless. I will use KES 30000 to build a new two bedroom house that will restore dignity and assured security of my family. I will then use the remaining amount to invest in livestock farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last three months, I have been jobless . I have been really struggling getting food for my family. Sometimes my wife shed tears when I get home in the evening expecting something only to realize that I have nothing to salvage the children from the pangs of hunger that bite their stomach. However, I am grateful to my younger brother who supported me with KES 2000 last month . This was a huge relief for me because I was able to do shopping that lasted for a whole month. I became very happy because I could see the smiles and the joy of my children enjoying their meals twice a day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income is the main challenge that I am facing. Imagine having a family of five children without any source of income! This is the situation that is giving me sleepless nights. Three of the five children are currently in school. Raising their school fees has been very difficult. The KES 5000 that I earn from the casual jobs is not able to meet most of the basic needs. This is because, I may take two to three months without any job and I am forced to borrow flour from my neighbors for my children as my wife and I sleep hungry. I plan to address this by using KES 50000 to invest in livestock farming which will be a huge income generating activity for my household. I will then use the remaining amount to pay school fees and buy food and other necessities.