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 > Said's Profile
Said's family
Said
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Student
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Said's next check-in.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I dropped out of school in high school when my mother couldn't afford to pay my school fee anymore after loosing her job since she had become old and unproductive, I lost hope in life because I couldn't afford to pursue a welding course which I was passionate about. I started doing casual jobs in the construction sites and firms to earn living and support my mother. My hope was to join collage one day and earn livelihood skills which could earn me a living without much struggle. Being enrolled in the program was a good opportunity for me to go to college and chase my dreams. When I received my first transfer, I enrolled a welding course where I have been paying KES 1000 monthly. I spend my recent three transfers in paying for school fees, replacing rotted grass roof of my house and buying food and other household necessities.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly is doing well in giving people cash and letting them decide on how to spend it. This is better than giving food since with money one can achieve much like I have already cleared my school fee and boosted my business with the two transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am currently in secondary school and at the time when I received my transfers, I owed the school some money. At the same time, I was required with a log table book and some textbooks. I. therefore, spent Ksh 4500 to pay for the school fee and purchase the books. Since my parents do not have a reliable source of income it has been a real struggle for them to raise our fees (my siblings and I). Helping them to clear the fee balance was a great relief. I feel proud of myself for having achieved this. I am now sure of completing my studies without school fees challenges. I have a small business too where I sell vegetables which are being managed by dad whenever I am in school. When I received the second transfer I used Ksh 500 to restock it. I am glad the sales have increased. A portion of the money I spent on my clothes to replace the old worn-out ones.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember vividly that I received the text message at around 9 am. I had been sent home from school due to the school fee balance. Since my dad did not have money I decided to go to the kiosk and help out my dad with the work at the kiosk. While cutting vegetables I received a text message. At first, I thought the money had been wrongly sent to my phone. The client I was serving at the moment also received the same message. He shared it with me and that’s when I realized that the money was from Give Directly. I became very happy. I knew I would finally go pay and go back to school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer has made a big difference in my life. I am still in school and the transfer has played a big part in paying part of my school balance. The transfer has also helped in expanding my business. I am now happy that I will get much bigger profits and I will be able to clear my school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am currently still in school. I am a form, two student. For a very long term, I have been struggling in terms of school fees. My parents are very poor and the little they get is not enough to feed the family and also pay my school fees. With this struggle, I have been sent home several times this year to pick school fees. When I got enrolled in the program I was very happy and hopeful that finally, I will get the money that I will use to pay my school fees. When I received the transfer I spent KSH 1500 in paying school fees. In addition to that, I spent KSH 1000 buying more stock for my vegetable business. Now that I have expanded the business I will get some bigger profits that will help me in clearing my school fee balance. When I am in school my father takes care of the business. I also spent the remaining amount on buying food for my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
This money will be a lifesaver, I am a form three student with one goal, which is to finish high school and join campus. I have never gone through a term without being sent home for school fees. Some people may normalize this but it gets to me every time I have to go home for school fees arrears. I plan to put aside at least 2000 KES to pay my schools fees every month. I could not be more grateful for this, finally, I will get to go through a whole term in school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am grateful that for the last six months I have been healthy and strong with no diseases. My parents are well despite having to work extra hard especially during this drought season just to provide for my brothers and myself.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of school fees is my greatest challenge, most times when I am sent home for arrears. I am forced to engage in some casual jobs like fetching water, what I am paid I take to school, and talk to my teachers to let me continue with classes. As much as it motivates me to work harder it also drains my energy and concentration at school.