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 > Kazungu's Profile
Kazungu's family
Kazungu
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kazungu's next check-in.
 
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?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly helps people. It has helped me. I did not have money to buy cows but now, from the association I joined, I can save and get a cow. On the flip side, I do not have suggestions on anything they can do better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I got into a Rotating Savings and Credit Association where I plan to save my money and thereafter, take a loan and buy cattle. When I received the second transfer, I saved KES 2000 with the association. I plan to get a cow as many in my region have; the cow will be used for domestic purposes such as farming. KES 500 went towards payment of school fees for my children in high school and the rest went to those in primary school.
 
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 at work when I received these funds. I was frustrated by how unproductive my day was in that I was unable to catch any fish. My two children in secondary school had informed me earlier that day that they had been served an eviction notice. So, immediately I got the funds, I dropped all that I was doing and I went to pay some of my debts. I felt very happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Though the funds I received were not much, I was able to see some difference in my daily life. For instance, I gained some trust from the school administration since they saw the effort I was making whereby I made partial payments towards clearing the school fee arrears. I was also able to prevent my children from being evicted from the premises they were residing in.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have four children in school, two are in primary and the rest are in secondary. The secondary school that my children go to is in a different town and commuting every day is costly. So, I rented a place for them where I pay KES500 monthly. When I received the funds from give directly, I had rent arrears of KES500 that I was unable to clear, school fee arrears of KES6000, and KES1000 for the children in secondary, and primary school respectively. Since there was a notice of eviction, I opted to settle it, then reduce the arrears for the ones in primary school by KES500 and the KES200 that remained, I used it to buy food. These funds have been very helpful now that I am struggling in my work as a fisherman. I am using someone else's fishing net that happens to be torn. This has reduced my efficiency at work and I only make KES1500 weekly.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Am married to two wives. My first wife has seven children and the second has nine. Paying school fees for my two children who are in secondary and six in primary has drained all my resources including my two acres which i had to keep it on collateral. My current job is fishing bringing home of about 200KES a day which is not enough to supply three meals a day for my family.Receiving this cash will enable my family get enough food,probably three meals a day. Once meals are sorted, with a monthly saving of 1000KES I will be able to off set some of the fee arrears.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiness was realized two weeks ago I was visited by my daughter and my son-in-law. They brought 2kgs of sugar which has allowed me to take tea every morning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I used to work as a brick maker but due to chest problems I had to leave the job. Current i have relied on the seasonal river for fishing which is now dried up due to prolonged drought. I have tried to seek for employment but in vain. It has been my ambition to do poultry farming to generate income but I have not achieved this due to lack of money.