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 > Karani's Profile
Karani's family
Karani
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
38
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($494 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 had never received the transfer in that I was sleeping in a small and grassy thatched house with my 5 children which leaks. At moment after receiving the transfer money I am staying in spacious 2 roomed house one for myself and the other room for my kids. I am now enjoying my privacy with my husband also I am running a business which gives me an income each day to cater for our basic needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by sending unconditional cash transfer without bias to every household. I don't see anything that it not doing well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my second transfer to complete the construction of my 2 roomed house since I had not finished with my first Transfer. I bought timbers and pay the labour charge in total I spent $ 100. Also, I joined hands with my mother to start a business of selling tobacco in our village. I saved $50 for my wife who is expectant I will pay for her delivery. The remaining amount assisted me to purchased a solar panel and enough food for the family. .
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received an Mpesa message in my phone and since I was not expecting to receive any money, I was curious to know who could have sent me the cash. When I read the contents of the message, I was greatly overjoyed because I had finally received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I thanked them since I could now build a decent iron roofed house to live with my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that through the transfer, I am now sheltering in a decent iron roofed house. I was previously sheltering in a grass thatched hut with no hopes of upgrading to a better a house. It would leak whenever it rains and I also had to replace the grasses frequently which was tiresome. I am happy that GiveDirectly has enabled me to build my dream house. Was it not for the transfer, It could have have taken me years to achieve this. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a larger portion of my first transfer on building a decent and iron roofed house. I have been sheltering in a grass thatched hut since I could not afford to build a good house. I purchased enough building materials which include iron sheets, nails and timber to facilitate the construction. I am no longer worried whenever it rains unlike before when I would be forced to seek shelter from my neighbours. In addition to this, I also spent KES 11000 on buying a new bed and a mattress to replace the old mats and used clothes that I have been using for many years. I can now afford to sleep soundly on my new beddings.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I'm planning to use 400 dollars from this donation to construct a descent and a spacious house for my family. It has been my desire to accommodate my family in a descent house. My dream will come true courtesy of GiveDirectly. I'll further use 300 dollars to buy ten goats. I prefer buying goats because they are easily manageable unlike other domestic animals like cows.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. Eating together with the rest of my family after leaving the farm in the afternoon makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of a decent and spacious house for my family. The house I own is in bad condition and unable to comfortably sustain my entire family.