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 > Charo's Profile
Charo's family
Charo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
42
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($499 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The house I was living was too old and too small. My children had been asking me why I had not put up a proper house especially whenever it rained. My income from a small business and farming was not enough for our daily provisions as well as doing home improvement. When I received the money from GiveDirectly , I decided to end my misery by building a nice house. My children are now comfortable living in a house that does not leak even during this heavy rain season.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in giving money to people so that one can seal with their own problems. All of us were able to sort most of their pressing needs. We really acquired a lot of many ways in which villagers are earning income, including motorcycle business and oxen for farming.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the money I received on building a house. I needed a house because the old house I was living in was dilapidated. The house was leaking during rain. My children are now comfortable in the new house. I also paid school fees for my children. I then spend the remaining amount on starting a poultry keeping and expanding my restaurant business.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($549 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
To me, the biggest difference is that I will soon move to my new house which is more spacious than the one I was living in before and which its construction came into a halt because of inadequate money to purchase roofing materials but through the support from GiveDirectly, it's now near completion for I purchased everything I needed for roofing through the transfer.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the transfer notification as I was already into my daily shop and on checking to confirm, it was from GiveDirectly that I had received my first transfer. I was very happy about the money and to me, it was an answered prayer since I had for a long time looked for cash for the completion of my new house.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buy iron sheets and other required materials for roofing a new house that I was in the process of constructing. I was however stuck and unable to bring the construction to completion since the money I had saved was used up in the process, and it remained for a long time without roofing as I sourced for more funds. The transfer has made it possible to complete it and very soon will be moving to the new house which is more spacious than the old one. I am running a small coffee house in my area which is my only source of income and the stock I had was not enough and I needed more of it and which could take longer so as to get maximum profits. I, therefore, took a portion of the transfer and increased my stock and now my business is improving and earning a good profit.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I will spend part of the transfer to open a paultry farm on my compound. I have always wanted to venture into this business as there is nobody in our village doing it in large scale. This will enable me to support my family and at the same time be able to supply chicken to the residents of our area.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day begins at around 8 am in the morning when I go to my farm to do some ploughing. This makes me happy as the farm suppliments my family's diet whenever I get the harvest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My house is very small and this cannot accomodate my family. Some of my children are forced to seek for alternative shelter at night and this has lowered my dignity as a father due to the fact that I am not able to provide them with a place to sleep.