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 > Sidi's Profile
Sidi's family
Sidi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
53
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($437 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?
I created an agricultural objective after resolving the housing problem. Since crop cultivation has often failed us, I want to start raising livestock, especially goats. This is so that goats, as opposed to cows, can endure extreme climatic conditions. Goats have ready markets and are also inexpensive to purchase.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
We in the community are only able to express our gratitude for the powerful and inspirational program you presented. Sincerely, GiveDirectly helped us improve from where we were by taking us to a higher level. Without its unconditional cash transfer program, we would not have been able to do the things we have or climb to the levels we have now.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a 6th wife to my late husband, life has been full of struggles. Living in an old collapsing house was unsafe for my family. When I got married, I found the mud-walled house existing up to date I have seven children and six grandchildren. All my five co-wives found the house already existed too. That is how old I can describe. When I got the second transfer, I opted to build a new three-room house that would have enough space. I bought 37 iron sheets for $333 and timbers for $50. As of now, the house is complete only the door has not been fixed yet and I am working my way out to buy and fix it. I am very happy because I have a secure house not like before. Having done that, I used the remaining amount to buy some food for the family since it was a drought season and money for buying some food was scarce.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($460 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home with my grandchildren getting ready to prepare dinner for the family of 5 members. I received two message alerts on the phone. Being illiterate, I handed it over to the helper checked the content of the message and informed me that it was the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was extremely happy about receiving the transfer since I had eagerly awaited for it from the day we were enrolled in the program. I was very sure that I would be able to achieve most of the desires that I had.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning a sustainable source of income after starting livestock rearing is the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because I was doing casual labour which did not earn me enough income to support the needs of the family like proper shelter and food. Previously, I was worried about the safety of my family members since our house was collapsing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had desired to construct a decent shelter for the family since the house that we were living in earlier was about to collapse. It had lean on one side which was very risky for my family members. I spent the recent transfer to purchase the building materials like building poles, threads and paid a labor cost of KES 10,000 for the construction of a 3-roomed house for the family. In addition, I bought 3 goats for KES 15000 this was to start livestock keeping a future investment for the family which will help me whenever I face any financial challenges. I also bought a modern bed and mattress for KES 6000. Before, I was using a traditional treads bed which was not comfortable since I was feeling pains all over my body every morning. With the remaining amount, I bought enough food for the family as we had to eat once per day due to the high cost of living.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My last born did his final examination in his primary school level and he needs to join his secondary school education. I have no money to cater for his education. This problem has given me sleepless nights for more than a month now. I have approached many government leaders seeking for assistance but in vain. The rest of my son's classmates have already joined different secondary schools but my son is still at home due to luck of money. Immediately after receiving the first transfer, I will do all the shopping and take my son to secondary school. I will save the second transfer for my son's education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter who was married in a nearby town bought me new clothes and assisted me when I had a neck problem. This brought joy and happiness to me because incase I have to attend an occasion, I have good clothes to put on.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is a challenge in my house. Getting food for the family means I have to do a white-collar activity like fetching water to a construction site, burning charcoal, or selling firewood to the nearby food canteen. I can bear all the issues because they have turned to be my life activities but lucking money to enable my son pursue his secondary school education is the biggest challenge I am passing through.