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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 > Karabu's Profile
Karabu's family
Karabu
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
65
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($457 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The new goal is to start a new business in my village (selling vegetables). This is after conducting research, I realised that this kind of business is so lucrative and therefore I believe once I get empowered financially, my life will transform positively within a short time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a good job by visiting every household in our family. The enrolment process was very fair and free to each one of us. No one was left out either regardless of tribe, religion, and even age. I can't point out anything that the organisation did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying a bed and mattress at a total of KES 18000. Initially, I used to sleep in the traditional beddings made of ropes with lots of irritations. I am now much healthier since I have new. Sleeping comfortably without any pains. I also bought a dairy cow at a total cost of KES 17000. I do trust that in a few months to come, the cow will start producing milk in high quantity which will be for commercial purposes and the remaining litres for my family's consumption. Current, I majorly depend on farming activities to earn a living, and I am optimistic that once the milk business picks, I will not strain a lot to fend for my family. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I bought food for my eight family members and other household needs.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I vividly remember that eventful day, as it keeps recurring in my mind often. It was very early in the morning and I was getting ready to go to the farm when my phone rang out loudly. I gave it to my wife, who informed me I had received my first transfer. My heart melted with joy as tears rolled down my cheeks. I knelt down and murmured a brief prayer of thanksgiving to the almighty God. That evening we celebrated with my family by eating a hearty meal of Ugali and fried fish to remember that exceptional moment.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Buying the cow has made a big difference in my daily life because I am now optimistic about having an alternative source of income through the sale of milk. When the drought struck our village, I struggled to provide for my family because I depended heavily on one source of income which was farming. Now that I have the dairy cow, I am assured of having more income that will help me in catering to my family’s needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Three years ago my bed broke and because I did not have a job, I could not repair the bed and was forced to sleep on the mat, which was very uncomfortable. Therefore, when I received my transfer, I spent KES 12000 on buying a bed and mattress. The back pains have reduced because I now sleep comfortably. I depend heavily on crop farming, but for the past three years; I could harvest nothing from the farm because of the drought. The cow I bought is worth KES 35000 and will act as an alternative source of income. A few days ago we received rain for the first time in three years, a good sign that I will resume my work on the farm and earn an income. Because of the difficulties I have experienced in feeding my family (wife and 6 children) I bought food in bulk for my family to avoid them from starving, which was a normal routine caused by lack of funds to buy food.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been sleeping on a small bed (3 by 6) for 15 years now with my wife. We have been persevering this condition because we could not afford to buy a big and decent bed to accommodate the two of us. Receiving this aid money from Give Directly means I buy a new bed and a mattress big enough for us and I believe through it we will be having the best nights and rest which we deserve. I will spend 15000 KES on this. 10000 KES will be spent on school fees for my daughter and the rest of the money will be spent on food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My only source of joy is when I sell charcoal and get paid. This is when I buy enough food for my family of three as well as paying school fees for my child in primary school. I sold 5 bags of charcoal 3 weeks ago worth 1500 KES and I still have food for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is a challenge which has been facing us for the past 3 years and this is a result of the unreliable rainfall in the region and as a subsistence farmer I did not get any harvest from my farm. This forced me to start charcoal burning which also does not sustain us as I only get peanuts from it making it hard to provide my family with basic needs such as food and school fees for my daughter.