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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Kenga's Profile
Kenga's family
Kenga
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kenga's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 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?
My intention is to buy a goat in the upcoming months. The objective is to increase the quantity and number of goats. Even when the aid is over, the goats will still be of assistance to me. In addition, I want to renovate my old roof and install new iron sheets in its place. There are no words to express how grateful I am for the support that the transfers are providing for me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $14 to pay some hospital bills and purchase medication. My health has significantly improved, which makes me very happy, and I am eating well to keep it that way. For fifty-five dollars, I bought a goat. For me, purchasing the goat is an investment with long-term strategic value. When it multiplies, I will sell it and use the proceeds to cover my daily expenses. I spent twelve dollars on food. My health is improving every day, and I am happy that the food I buy has helped me regain my strength. I intend to buy another goat soon, so I saved $20. I am confident that I will have something to rely on in the future as the herd grows in size. The financial boost from the transfers makes me very happy. I am content that I am receiving the money and taking care of myself despite my advanced age.
 
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 have a plan to acquire livestock especially goats and chickens that I believe will breed and multiply in number. As a subsistence farmer, I currently live on my own, as all my daughters have been blessed with marriages. This means I am solely responsible for my well-being, and given my lack of a regular source of income, I view the goats and chickens as my primary assets. My intention is to expand my livestock holdings by purchasing more goats and chickens in the near future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfers have played a crucial role in ensuring that my household has a sufficient food supply. This became possible after I invested $10 in plowing my land, resulting in a successful harvest. Following the harvest, I allocated $5 to rent a maize threshing machine, which greatly facilitated the processing of my two 90kg sacks of maize. I am immensely thankful for how these transfers have alleviated the issue of food scarcity in my household. Furthermore, I utilized part of the funds to purchase livestock, which includes a goat and three chickens, at a cost of $40. These animals now represent valuable assets for me, as they have the potential to multiply and provide a reliable source of financial support in times of need. Lastly, I also used a portion of the funds to procure essential food items such as maize flour and sugar. This ensured a consistent food supply before I had the opportunity to cultivate my own farm. The transfers have truly made a significant positive impact on my life, allowing me to address various aspects of my food and financial stability.
 
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?
Due to my declining health, I have reached an age where I am unable to continue working on the farm. My primary objective, both in the near future and beyond, is to create a reliable source of income through livestock farming. I aspire to acquire a substantial number of goats that can multiply over time. By selling some of them, I will be able to support myself financially, alleviating the burden on my relatives who currently care for me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Over the past few months, my health has significantly worsened. I have been experiencing intense chest pains, which have confined me to bed for most of June. In an effort to improve my health, I used a significant portion of my June transfers, approximately $20, to purchase over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies. I am incredibly grateful for the financial assistance provided by Give Directly, as it has played a crucial role in my health improvement. The remaining amount of money was used to buy food. Previously, as a peasant farmer, I relied heavily on income from my farm to meet my needs. However, due to my current health condition, I am unable to work on the farm and now depend mostly on my relatives. The funds I receive from Give Directly have been instrumental in meeting my needs, such as purchasing food. I am immensely thankful that I no longer go to bed on an empty stomach.
 
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?
By the end of the year, I hope to have purchased more livestock, particularly goats that can withstand the harsh climatic conditions. My goal is to increase wealth by raising livestock. As the goats conceive, my initial small number will eventually grow. By doing so, I will achieve financial stability when I sell the goats in the market at a good profit and lessen the strain on my grandchildren, who go above and beyond to see that I have access to my basic needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to my advanced age, I must rely on my grandchildren's income as casual workers doing manual labor. My health has gotten worse recently, leaving me bedridden. I can't go out and survive on my own. My wife, who was assisting me, died shortly after getting sick. The financial support from Give Directly have helped me buy food and seek medical attention from the hospital. I spent my February transfers on a goat that cost $40. I was feeling a lot better than I had the month before. Purchasing the goat will be very helpful to me in the future. If I ever need money or face an emergency, I can sell the goat and use the proceeds to deal with the situation. My initial investment will more than double there once the goat multiplies, creating wealth in the process.
 
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?
Getting a call from Givedirectly is always a pleasant moment. I enjoy each time I talk to one of the call center agents, they are always friendly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am 84 years old, my wife died ten years ago. We were blessed with one daughter. I am retired, and I depend on my younger brother who sends me $2 a week. Luckily my brother also pays for school feed for my daughter who is in high school and lives with her in town. I stay in an unstable room when it rains, water gets to the house because of the holes in the roof. I have been using Givedirectly transfer to buy food and water. With the current drought, water is scarce and most of the time I can stay up to three days without a bath. A 20-liter jerrican cost $3.5 which is not enough to clean the house and drink. Before the current drought we are experiencing, we were fetching water on the river at no cost. Receiving this transfer has enabled me to purchase water for $10 and food for $20 with no strain
 
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?
At the time I was receiving the money I was actually ailing, but the minute I realized those transfers had been actually sent I was so happy I almost forgot about felling sick. This is because at the time I really needed the money especially for a meal.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
In this particular situation I was quite grateful to finally be able to afford a meal which had been quite a struggle a couple of says prior to GiveDirectly allocating the funds.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon realising that the transaction had actually being sent out, I decided that I wanted to invest in poultry farming so I ended up buying a hen for KES 400. After that I was left remaining with about KES 800 and so I decided to spend it on nourishment by buying a kilogram of sugar, a packet of tea leaves and three packets of maize flour.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Nights are meant for rest after the days' errands but this is not my case. As the sun sets and the cold breeze start blowing, my aged body begin trembling and the only place to harbour myself is inside my 3m by 3m house. Inside, you will find a ropy bed covered with a rugged mat. Due to lack of beddings, the loose ropes compress me at the center making it difficult to make a turn untill morning. It is with joy that my situation is going to get a solution. Upon receiving my first four transfers, the main goal will be buying a bed and a mattress which will cost 10 000KES. I will spend most of the other transfers for food and also in purchasing three goats at 2000KES each.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have a grandson who is so dear to me. He works in town and whenever he is around, he do not fail to pay me a visit. Recently, he came accompanied by his wife, carrying a gift bag. When I was issued, I found inside were oranges, detergents, 2kgs of sugar and tea bags. I am currently not missing morning and evening tea to keep my body warm.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My wife and two children passed about three years ago leaving the two of us( my son and I). The boy left the village to go seek employment in town and two years have gone without seeing neither hearing from him. I am 83 years,old and sickly yet I do not have someone to rely on. I depend on farming but due to lack of capital I can only do a half acre of shamba with sometimes forced to garden while seated.