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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Newsfeed > Kanze's Profile
Kanze's family
Kanze
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kanze's next check-in.
 
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I plan to allocate my transfers towards acquiring livestock, particularly goats and chickens, as I lack a stable source of income. Currently, I own two goats that I am diligently caring for, recognizing them as a reliable support system in times of need. The assistance from my children is limited due to their large families and engagement in manual labor. I see building my own assets, such as livestock, as a crucial safety net to address any future financial challenges that may arise.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $30 from my recent transfers on acquiring a new mattress, replacing my worn-out bedding. The old mattress had deprived me of comfortable sleep for too long, but now I find solace in having a decent place to rest. In addition to the mattress, I allocated $20 to purchase five chickens for a poultry project. With old age hindering my ability to work, this initiative aims to generate income through selling the chickens. Another $10 was utilized to cover medical expenses, ensuring proper treatment during an illness, and and I am now in good health. Lastly, I spent the remaining part of the funds on buying adequate foodstuffs for my household.This was particularly crucial as I had been under medication for nearly three months, necessitating a balanced diet as advised by my doctor. Access to these funds not only facilitated these essential needs but also prevented any delay in my medical treatment.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Looking ahead, my plan is to venture into livestock investments by purchasing goats. I firmly believe that this investment will yield returns as the goats multiply over time. By selling some of the offspring, I will be able to address various needs that are crucial to me, such as acquiring food and providing education for my grandchildren. The potential financial benefits that will arise from this investment bring me great satisfaction. I am immensely grateful for the support I have received through the transfer of funds, as it has played a vital role in ensuring the well-being of my family. Without this financial assistance, life would undoubtedly be much more challenging for us. The aid we have received has alleviated some of the burdens we face, allowing us to meet our basic needs and provide for our loved ones. The impact of this support is truly significant and has made a tangible difference in our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my August transfers, I made the decision to invest in a goat. Being a farmer, I have encountered significant challenges in my agricultural endeavors over the past six years. Despite dedicating extensive effort to my farm for the past three months, the crops I cultivated ultimately withered just as they began to pollinate. This disheartening outcome has left me with no choice but to continue purchasing food at inflated prices from local shops. This series of setbacks has prompted a pivotal shift in my perspective and financial decisions moving forward. Recognizing the importance of diversifying my investments, I consider the acquisition of a goat to be a shrewd move. Its potential for multiplication in the coming months presents an opportunity to not only recoup my initial investment of $30 but also to generate additional wealth. This strategic investment provides a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges brought about by prolonged drought and its accompanying hardships. I am filled with gratitude for the financial assistance I have received during this trying period. It has proven invaluable in helping me navigate the severe impact of drought and the ensuing challenges. The support I have received has been a lifeline, ensuring that I can sustain myself during these difficult times.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am now able to adequately provide for my family because of the transfers. Since I do not have a source of income to depend on or someone to support me, the transfers are my only hope. I am now cultivating and I believe that when I successfully get a good harvest, which will ensure I have adequate food in my household, I will be able to invest the money in other avenues, like buying livestock.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfers have greatly helped me to effectively fend for my family especially right now that prices of basic commodities like food are high. It would be a huge challenge for me but thanks to the transfers. I could not afford to buy daily food at my own cost.I used to engage in subsistence farming that ensured I had enough food for my family but currently it doesn't do well. I rely solely on the transfers for my household's basic needs. On the recent transfers, I purchased enough foodstuffs which include maize flour and daily vegetables. In addition to the foodstuffs, I also managed to buy 5 chickens that I am currently keeping in my homestead. Owning livestock is one of the best investment that I can venture into, since upon multiplying, I can readily sell and earn some money. Also, in case of a financial challenge, at least I will have some assets that I can rely on. My goal is to keep these chickens, let them reproduce and later on sell them and buy some goats.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Since I stay alone in the household, I have to fend for myself through charcoal burning, an exercise that hardly covers food costs. The best I can earn in a week is $4, which does not procure much food given the rising commodity prices. Although securing food is my main concern right now, I wish to acquire at least two goats in one year’s time. The plan is to rear these goats so that when they reproduce in the future, I could easily sell them to afford my needs. Besides, I would be glad if I stopped enduring the struggles of charcoal making.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Selling charcoal is how I make a life. This job is really tedious and pays very little, thus it cannot support my necessities. I frequently have to go to bed without eating since I don't have enough money to do so. As a result, I want to use $10 from the transfer as part of my food budget. This will guarantee that I have enough food to last for more than two weeks. I can concentrate on selling more charcoal and increasing my savings if I have enough food. In addition to purchasing food, I intend to purchase water and constructing poles with the $20 that is left. Water will be necessary to mix the mud and clay soil that will be used to build the walls of the house. After construction is complete, I am eager to move into the new home.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After I received the transfers I decided to use KES 1,000 and invest on buying timber because I finally wanted to build my own house after sharing a house with my co-wife for over a decade. That is why I decided to buy timber as a start for eventually building and living in my own house. Then I went on to use KES 1,000 from the balance and decided to cater for nutrition because I barely had any food left in the house and I was too old to even go ahead and work to cater for my needs. Lastly I used the KES 1,000 I was left with and decided to buy three hens because I wanted to invest in poultry farming to help me financially.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is a savior from heaven. I am happy that they came through when my world was tumbling. I survived on one meal a day and on bad days, I would go the whole day having nothing to eat. With the funds, I can eat and thanks to GiveDirectly for the gracious gesture.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am happy that after very many years I can sleep comfortably in a bed. Lying on the ground for those years affected my health. Back pains and chest pains are some of the health effects that affected me during that period. For the few days that I have slept in the bed, I feel much better. The chest pains are slowly going away and I hope I will soon be in good health. Besides buying the bed, I bought two chickens to start the poultry project that I have always wanted to have. I then spent the remaining amount of money in buying food and water. Because of the drought, finding water has become very hard. We have to buy water at very high prices. Food prices are very high and with nothing coming out of our farms, we have to buy the food or else we starve to death.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was doing a job in someone's farm that day, just doing some clearing for them when I found out that GiveDirectly had come through with its promise through the program they had introduced to us in our village. To be honest this all seemed like a joke when we got enrolled because we were thinking who in their right mind would give us money with no strings attached to elevate our living conditions? It was unseen of and unheard of, but I guess there is a first time for everything and that is why I was so happy because receiving the money had preceded my expectations and all the propaganda that had happened previously.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
As mentioned prior, when I received the funds I was working in a farm owned by someone else. This happens to be the way I earn a living to sustain myself with the little pay I receive because I have no permanent job and my age would not allow to work anyway. Yet even the jobs I get are also hard to find because there is no rain. Therefore this funds have managed to help not to go hungry as much as I was before because the jobs are unreliable. But now I still receive money even without the jobs and I can afford a meal.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Over the past years there has been great climate change especially in my area which has always been known for its warm temperatures but nevertheless we used to have rain unlike the past two years where if it rains it drizzles and never enough for people like me who were consistent subsistence farmers to gain any harvest. In turn this situation has worsened our ways of putting food on the table and that is why after I received the money, I immediately went ahead and got three packets of maize flour which cost me KES 250, a hen that I planned on rearing for both domestic and economic purposes for KES 150 and a pair of slippers for KES 100 since the ones I had were completely worn out and walking barefoot was the order of the day. Apart from that I also decided to go to the market and buy some second hand clothes because most times I was dressed in torn outfits and because I had no money I could not manage to dress well, and even when I did get money I had to prioritise on my nourishment rather than dressing. As for what was left I bought salt and sugar which cost me KES 150.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
It has been 15 years now since my house collapsed due to rains. Since then, I have always been seeking refuge in my co-wife's house because I have never managed to construct a separate one. Receiving this money means a dream come true because I am very confident that, soon I will be able to construct my house to keep me away from the shame of borrowing. I intend to spend my 7 months' transfers to construct a small Iron-roofed house that will shelter me with my belongings. This will give me the joy of owning a house something that I have missed for a long time. The other transfers will help me to buy a modern bed and a mattress to replace the old rugged sacks. Also, this money will cater to other basic needs like food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Although I lack someone whom I can depend on for money and food, I am very thankful to God for the energy that I am always getting to work for myself. This is something that I am grateful for and I have always felt that this has been giving me hope in my life. Hence, I consider being healthy as what has brought happiness to me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a widow and at the age of 60 years, I am still active in charcoal burning to help me get money for my upkeep. This is a very tiresome work that exposes me to body pain and chest problems. Despite these challenges, I am forced to do this work for my survival. Since I am not enough, the much I can make in a month is $8 which means on other days, I forfeit some meals. Hence, I consider food insecurity as the main challenge that I am currently facing.