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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Haluwa's Profile
Haluwa's family
Haluwa
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
attach_money
 
Follow to be updated on Haluwa's next check-in.
 
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
 
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having received part of my recent transfers during the Christmas period, I was prompted to spend it on the celebrations. During this period, the norm is to purchase festive clothes and food for the family. Therefore, I devoted 2,800 KES towards the acquisition of celebratory attire for the children, which made them extremely joyous. When schools opened, I cleared an unpaid fee balance of 1,200 KES and they merrily resumed studies. Also, I used 1,000 KES as transport cost to pick a birth certificate for my seventh-grade son, who is set to sit for national primary examinations towards the end of the year. Moreover, I obtained 2,000 KES worth of stock for my vegetable business and acquired food with the remaining amount.
 
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
 
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time when I received the third transfer my son who is in primary school had a fee arrear of KES 1000. I did not want him to be sent back home for the fee because they were almost sitting for their end-term examinations. Had he been sent back home his performance would have dropped. Am glad the money came right on time.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly is really changing people's lives. I like the way Give Directly aims at lifting those who are down due to poverty. I can already see a difference in my community.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfers just came in time when I really needed money. My daughter was not feeling well at that time and I used KES 800 for her medication. I am glad that she is now well. I also used KES 1000 to pay school fees for my 4 children. They have never been sent home since then due to lack of school fees. For the remaining KES 1200, I bought food, including one bundle of maize flour which we are still using up to date.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy after receiving the money because like I mentioned prior my children had been home for almost three days and as a parent this can be stressful especially if you do not have the funds to even know how to begin to take care of the situation and that is why when the message came in I was very elated. Plus I managed to buy a few of some home appliances.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The ability to enable my children to not lag behind in their education was very important, and seeing them very excited to find out they would not have to stay home any longer was very refreshing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time my four children all had pending balances at school and had been home for three days due to the fact that we were having a bit of financial issues, so I opted to take care of the tuition money and I paid a total of KES 1800 for the four of them and was left with about KES 600 in debt to still clear later on. Apart from that, I also decided to purchase six packets of maize flour which was KES 600, two kilograms of sugar which was KES 240 , two kilograms of beans costing KES 200 and lastly I bought laundry detergent for KES 100.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Our culture mandates the parents to reclaim their daughter if the husband fails to pay dowry. Two years ago I was rendered a single mother of four, thanks to it. No one supports me including my parents and as a result, we don't even have a house. I am quite unhappy to be a squatter under my maternal home and I desire to have a place of my own. To buy land and build a home for us will be a priority upon receiving these transfers. I intend to save 2000 KES monthly in table banking and merry-go-rounds. This will enable me to get loans and finance my dream.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My business is located outside a school. Every afternoon children come in plenty to buy snacks. Knowing that I won't go back home empty-handed makes me very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability as a result of low income is my biggest hardship. I run a small business that earns me 500 KES a week. My family budget is very squeezed because I have to save something out of it. This has made it difficult to provide for all our basic needs.