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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Completed
Newsfeed > Kache's Profile
Kache's family
Kache
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kache's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 1 month ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My aim is to grow my herd by consistently acquiring more goats. Currently, I own two goats, and I intend to use my transfers to acquire additional ones. Owning goats is beneficial as they can be readily sold to cover fees or handle unexpected expenses. Furthermore, this will generate extra income for my family, contributing to greater stability. Possessing this resource will provide me with reassurance that my family's needs will be met. I am deeply grateful for this program as it has brought positive changes to my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Living with asthma has limited my ability to undertake strenuous tasks, leaving me dependent on my grown children for financial assistance. Previously, my family faced significant challenges, especially in affording food and paying fees. However, thanks to the assistance provided through these transfers, I am now able to cover my children's fees, invest in chickens, and even purchase goats. Out of the transfers received, I allocated $15 to repair my malfunctioning phone and $49 to settle the school fees for my son who had an outstanding debt. The remaining amount was dedicated to my differently-abled daughter, who required urgent treatment. I used the money for transportation to the hospital and to purchase fruits for her, and I am grateful to see her health improving. I am sincerely grateful for the positive impact this project has had on our lives and I look forward to better things ahead.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I currently lack any source of income to support my husband and me in providing for our children's education. Our hope primarily hinges on these transfers. We have three children currently enrolled in school: two in high school and one in junior school. For a considerable time, I've been sustaining our family through odd jobs and by selling charcoal, while my husband, who is elderly, tends to our livestock. However, I had to discontinue my involvement in charcoal burning and selling due to health concerns. As a result, my main objective is to ensure that these transfers cover our children's school fees in a timely manner. It brings me immense joy to witness our children thriving in their educational pursuits, despite the financial hurdles we face. I firmly believe that with the support of this program, they will be able to achieve their educational aspirations and may even pursue further studies in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The financial support we received has been a tremendous relief for both my husband and me, particularly in light of the financial strain we faced in covering our children's educational expenses. Our financial situation made it exceptionally challenging to meet their school fees on time. I used to earn a living by selling charcoal, but I had to discontinue this activity due to health concerns. Meanwhile, my husband has been tending to our livestock at home. The turning point came when one of our sons received sponsorship from Equity Bank throughout his high school years. These regular monthly transfers have significantly eased our worries about our children's education. Ensuring their comfort in school has been my primary objective, and I've dedicated $20 each month to clear any outstanding fee arrears. We currently have three children enrolled in school: two in high school and one in junior high. In addition to this, I allocated $20 to cover my sister's medical expenses, even though she has since passed away. It brings me peace knowing that we have no lingering debts in this regard. I also invested $30 in purchasing a goat, which I am currently raising with the aim of allowing it to multiply. This will serve as a financial safety net should the need arise. The remaining funds were used to acquire essential food items like beans and sugar, as well as household necessities, including toiletries that we had been lacking.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
When my son joined high school, it became incredibly difficult to raise the necessary funds, and I had to initiate fundraising that only covered expenses for a single term. I have been facing a constant struggle to keep him in school, primarily by selling charcoal to make ends meet. However, when I started receiving regular transfers, it brought immense relief as I was assured of being able to pay his fees every month, ultimately allowing him to stay in school. Thus far, these transfers have been a tremendous source of assistance. My objective is to ensure that my son completes his high school education while continuing to benefit from this program. My aim for the upcoming year and beyond is to see my son accomplish his educational aspirations.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Paying my son's fees has always been my primary concern whenever I receive my monthly transfer. I have consistently allocated $20 towards his education expenses to reduce the outstanding balance. He is in his final year of schooling, and I want to witness his smooth completion of high school. Furthermore, I allocated a portion of the transfer to hire laborers who assisted me in working on my farm. My objective for engaging in farming is to achieve a bountiful harvest to combat food scarcity within my household. The transfer enabled me to fully utilize my land. In addition to all the above, the transfer covered my daughter's medical expenses when she fell ill. Given her physical disability, she requires frequent medication and checkups, which the transfer has been immensely helpful in covering. Lastly, I utilized some of the funds to purchase essential food items like maize flour, ensuring that my family had enough sustenance for several weeks.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I'd really like to put a lot of money into raising livestock, especially goats. Goats are my preferred animal because they can endure harsh climatic conditions like the one we are currently experiencing. They also multiply quickly, so I know that once they increase in number, my initial investment will double. With my wealth increasing, I know I would always have assets to rely on in case of an emergency, like having to pay a fee.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Beginning this year, my daughter began her final year of primary school. Her previous school uniforms were unwearable because they were torn and covered in large patches. I therefore spent $14 on a pair of school uniforms for her after receiving my February transfers. I bought her a pair of black shoes in addition to the school uniforms and some stationery that will aid in her academic progress. All of these things cost $9 in total. Finally, I bought food for the family with the $11 that was left over. My husband is the only provider for the family, and the meager wages he receives from his occasional jobs are insufficient to cover all of the household's expenses. I wish I could help, but my health has declined over time, and I am unable to be away from my physically challenged son who requires constant care.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In our place, there is a lot of famine due to prolonged drought. As a result, many families have been suffering for a continuous period of two years. However, when GiveDirectly enrolled in its program, the community appreciates its goodwill in giving unconditional cash transfers. This kind of support has immensely made better our way of life. In my view, the NGO does well in alleviating poverty through direct cash transfers. I am very grateful to be considered ab= beneficiary. So far, there is nothing that I have noticed that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I come from a polygamous family and am the mother of five children. I am currently a housewife while my husband has retired. In addition, I have a crippled daughter, Kadii, whom I care for because she cannot move from one location to another on her own. As a result, I cannot engage in any incoming generating activity, a situation that subjects my family to financial constraints. She requires a lot of my time and attention. My daughter, Kasichana, had been sent home for fees when I received my latest transfer, so I paid her $5 school fees. She is currently in sixth grade. I also spent $25 on food and other non-essential household items. I am glad the food kept my family for a fortnight.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Around 7 p.m., my daughter-in-law came rushing into the kitchen where I was making supper. She informed me that money had been transferred to her phone, but she did not know from whom. We had no idea who had sent her cash until a couple of neighbors approached us, celebrating that Give Directly had sent them money. To confirm the report, I asked my daughter-in-law to look into if my husband's phone and mine had received any money. Indeed, Give Directly had kept their half of the bargain. We all rejoiced and danced with delight.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Prior to the transfer, my family had always relied on my son for sustenance. I would contact him whenever the household ran out of food and ask him to send money for more. I had always wished to help reduce the load of responsibilities on him and Give Directly provided that chance. The cash transfer allowed me to buy food for my family without having to request money from my son. Given that my family has three beneficiaries, I am optimistic that future cash transfers will lessen my over-reliance on him significantly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family had run out of food earlier that day before the cash transfer arrived. As usual, I contacted my son, a clinical doctor in Mombasa, and requested support because he is the primary provider for the family. I often feel that he bears too much responsibility since he not only cares for the family at home (my husband and myself) but also for his wife and children back in town. That day, things did not go so well from his end that I was obliged to borrow maize flour for dinner from neighbors on the condition that I repay it later. Later in the evening when I received the money from Give Directly, it helped to alleviate the problem. I utilized the entire cash transfer on food, which lasted three days for the family. I recall informing my son about the transfer, and he was ecstatic about how much pressure the money would relieve.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I used to burn charcoal and sell it for a living unfortunately, I had to quit the business because the smoke from the charcoal burning gave me a respiratory disease. It left me with no choice but to start depending on my co-wife's children to help in providing food for my children as well as paying their school fees. I feel that I am a burden to them because they also have responsibilities in their houses. Receiving these transfers will, however, lift the burden off them because I will be able to be independent again. I plan to use the money to buy food and educate my children since that is the important thing in my life right now.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I stopped the charcoal burning business because of health issues in December, I was afraid that my family will die of hunger. Fortunately, my co-wife's children came to my rescue, some took the responsibility of educating my children while others took the one for feeding us. This brought joy and happiness to my life because my worries were taken away.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Having no source of income and depending on other people is frustrating. My children sleep on an empty stomach most of the time because of lack of money to buy them food. I decided to be assisted in paying for their school fees other than buying food because I want my children to have a brighter future and education is the only thing that can provide that. Therefore, lack of a source of income to provide for my family and stop being a burden to other people is my current challenge.