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 > Neema's Profile
Neema's family
Neema
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
15
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
check
 
Follow to be updated on Neema's next check-in.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($476 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in the bush assisting my mum in preparing charcoal for sale. I remember it was exactly 5 pm when I was busy with my mum working. I received two consecutive messages notifications on my phone. I was very curious to know its content since it was around such time when the officers promised to send us the transfer. After checking, I was so surprised to see a Mpesa message showing that I had received the transfer. We were extremely happy about receiving our transfer that would change our lives for the better because It was during that period when we had been sent home for fees.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to build a new and spacious house for the family with the help of my transfer from GiveDirectly. Living in a comfortable house that is not leaking was the greatest desire of our life. I am very grateful for the transfer. In addition, we can have 3 meals per day unlike before when we use to sleep hungry or even have a single meal on a lucky day. Previously, my parent used to struggle a lot to make ends meets.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For many years, we had been living in a small, temporary structure that leaks during the rainy season. In most cases, we were forced to relocate to our grandmother's house whenever it rains. We had wished to own a decent shelter like everyone in the society but we lacked the financial muscles to obtain the required building materials. After receiving the transfer, I spent KES 25,000 to construct a decent two-roomed house for our family of 6 members. I also spent KES 7000 to clear the fee arrears for me and my 4 siblings. We were always sent home for fees something that had affected our morale and performance at school. I also used KES 5000 to purchase decent school uniforms and casual clothes. Previously, we had few clothes to wear something very embarrassing. With the remaining amount, I bought one dairy cow that I intend to start vending milk around our village once it reproduced. Lastly, I bought enough foodstuff for the family.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am the firstborn in a family of six (3girls and 3boys). My parents separated three years ago. We had nowhere else to go and we had to go back to my mother's maternal home. Life was hard the first two years, no roof over our heads, no place to sleep, and getting food to eat was a struggle. Moving in into my grandmother's house was not an option. She did not have enough room for us and since my mother was already married, she is not allowed to sleep in the same house with her father. Fortunately, my mother was able to get a casual job selling beer at a local joint. She built a small shark for us to live in. We have no bedroom or sitting room, we sleep on the same mattress the six of us, and when we have to sit we sit on jerry cans. My heart desires to build a bigger house with this money. A two-roomed house would be preferable. I long for the day we will all have separate bedrooms to sleep in and a space we can dine together as a family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My mother is a casual worker. Her income is not consistent. There are days we sleep on an empty stomach. Days she comes back home with a bag of flour in her hands are always joyful. We are assured that for the next couple of days we have food on our table.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints are my greatest challenge. I am a class six student in Petanguo Primary school. My four other siblings are also in the same school. I can not remember a term we were fortunate enough to complete without being sent home for school fees arrears. It has become a norm that every time students are sent back home for school fees we are always among them. Currently, I have a school fees balance of 800 KES, my two other siblings have a balance of 1000 KES and 1600 KES respectively. We have not been to school for the past week. My heart is filled with so much pain when I see my peers going to school every other morning while we have no choice but to stay at home until my mother can get some money to take us back to school.