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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Kadzo's Profile
Kadzo's family
Kadzo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
61
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I do not have any new goals that emerged since the ones I had in mind were all accomplished. For so many years, I have been longing to have my own spacious house the one that I had was in critical condition. I had to seek shelter every winter season as a result and my properties could get damaged.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
According to me, GiveDirectly has been doing an amazing job in my entire village. The officers made sure that they visited each needy household for the enrolment. Also, this empowered us to build beautiful houses and send all our children to school. It would take ages for us to accomplish all these goals.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying three goats worthy of KES 15000. I have been yearning to own them for a long but because of financial constraints, I couldn't afford them. Also, I cleared the college fees for my granddaughter who is pursuing a tailoring course. To add to that, I boosted my business(selling fish) which I used to run earlier. I am so grateful that currently, I can make a profit of KES 300 on a good day. I have been able to provide for my family's basic needs with ease unlike before. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for a family that could take us to the next harvesting season.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 AM when I was at the bush looking after my goats when my mobile phone started ringing so loudly. Since I am illiterate I asked one of my grandchildren who had accompanied me to check who might have sent the message at that particular hour. On checking, he realized that it was an Mpesa message from Segovia Technology. I was so excited and we started rejoicing and thanking God for the blessings. We opted to go back home and shared the news with my family members who had early been waiting for financial support as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now sleeping under a permanent iron-roofed house that is well placed. Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I used to shelter under a very small leaky grass thatched house which could not accommodate all my three family members. I have been desiring to at least renovate it but I couldn't afford to purchase the necessary materials to facilitate that. Because I am a widow who relies on temporary jobs, I have been struggling to at least be food at the table but at times this was not attainable. Therefore this could simply mean that constructing a better house would take ages. The situation of my house forced some of my children to seek shelter at the friends and relatives' houses whose houses are quite far from where we reside. This has been stressing me a lot and I was always worried about their safety. However, I have been optimistic that I would also sleep into a better house someday. Therefore under a better house has restored my joy and I am so grateful for that. I have finally been able to sleep under one roof with my family which has been my long-time dream. We no longer have to worry about the insecurities, the harsh climates, and all sorts of harassment from the community.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying building materials such as iron sheets at KES 25000, building poles, the threads, nails, and timber, and the labor charge of KES 5000. This was purposely for the construction of a new house because the previous one was a traditional hut with a grass thatched roof which was so leaky. I also cleared college fees of KES 3000 for my granddaughter and I am happy she is happily studying without being sent home regularly as he used to do. I also bought a new bed and mattress because I have to sleep on the four for all these years and as a result, I could always wake up so tired and unwell every morning. I also started a business selling some vegetables in the village and I am happy I have a source of income that I can rely on. With the remaining amount of money, I have been using it in buying foodstuffs like maize flour, sugar, cereals among others.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a proper house to me. Currently, I am living in a grass-thatched house that is leaking during the rainy seasons. I am planning to spend my entire first transfer constructing a two-bedroom house so that I can live a decent life. I will further spend KES 30000 of my second transfer to buy 10 goats that will act as a long-term investment project for my household. I will use the remaining amount to buy a new bed and mattress to replace the old ones which do not give me a nice sleep, and hence, this will guarantee me a better livelihood.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. Waking up healthy despite all life challenges, gives me hope for a better and bright future.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The financial crisis is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. This is because I am a charcoal vendor, a very tiresome and time-consuming job yet its income is very minimal of KES 400 per week. This amount cannot fully support all my household expenses. Due to this I mainly use my earnings for food only.