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 > Naomi's Profile
Naomi's family
Naomi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
27
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($428 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Nothing would make me happier than to work as a full-time teacher. The satisfaction I get from molding young minds is unparalleled, and I hope to train and become one soon. I'd also like to broaden our revenue sources. I want to open a hardware store in Ganze Town with my husband and work hard to provide a better life for my children than I and their father have.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has had an enormous impact on the lives of people in our community. The stories and smiles one hears and sees around are of triumph and victory. GiveDirectly has given us all a second chance to live and to believe that your fortunes can change for the better at any age and at any time. I believe I speak for everyone when I say that GiveDirectly is a blessing, and we pray that God continues to bless them and their staff.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I've always strived to assist my parents in any possible way I can. Hence, upon receiving my transfers from GiveDirectly, I was quick to pay $150 in tuition fees for my sister in Kidwenge Secondary School. she lives with my parents and being able to offer any relief to my parents in terms of her upkeep, makes me very happy. I also rented land , a 3 acre piece, at $60 per year on which I harvest maize and vegetables. Further more, I bought maize which I milled for flour and used some for seedlings when planting. Getting poultry had been a long time goal for me, needless to say I quickly invested in some chicken and enough feed to get them up and running. 3 female goats were also bought, in hopes of growing a flock to sell and make some extra money for myself, my husband and our 1.2 year old child. My husband earns $45 a month as a cyber cafe attendant in Bamba town and I practise as a non trained teacher , at Muthomboni School , teaching Maths, English and Environmental study's. Between his pay and my $60 a month, we have been struggling to make ends meet, but by God's grace, GiveDirectly have given us a chance to further not only ourselves, but also our families as a whole and we are eternally indebted to them.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($461 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I woke up at around 6 am, I picked up my phone from the table to check what time it was. Upon checking, I saw a message icon on the screen. I opened the icon and found out that I had received the promised transfer from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with happiness for receiving the money. Without wasting time I dialed my husband's number on the phone and I happily informed him about the transfer and we all rejoiced.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before getting the transfer, we lived from hand to mouth as a family. The struggle was real. At times, we had to sleep without eating because we had no food yet I was breastfeeding my child, it was painful and sorrowful. My husband who is a casual laborer was fighting tooth and nail to ensure ends meet but sometimes he could not. As of now, we are happy as a family because upon receiving the transfer, we sat and decided to do the poultry business and it is doing well. We get out basic needs and this is because of GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time I received the transfer, we were going through a hard time as a family as far as food is concerned. We had not harvested anything from the last two planting seasons thus hunger was at the brim. Based on that, I bought a sack of maize for KES 6350.00 on the withdrawal day. Thereafter, I went back to my plans which I set earlier on how I was going to spend the money to curb the prolonged hunger. I used KES 30000.00 to construct a poultry house where I keep chicken for sale. Being a farmer by passion, I chose to keep chicken because crop farming has not been doing well nowadays due to unstable rainfall, and doing irrigation is very expensive compared to poultry farming. I also bought four goats for KES 16500.00. These goats act as a quick investment. Once I am stuck, I can sell a goat at a profit because they have ready markets. For the remaining amount, I bought some food for my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The main target that I am aiming to achieve once I receive the transfers is to start poultry farming. This is going to be an asset for the household that I can use to cater to the needs of my family. I am planning to spend KES 50,000 to build a chicken coop as well as to buy 20 chicks. As they reproduce, I will sell at a profit and use the proceeds to meet the daily necessities of my household. The remaining amount will help me to buy a photocopying machine for my husband so that he can start his own business. This will help us to diversify our sources of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In November last year, I gave birth to my firstborn baby. This brought me joy and happiness because, many of my friends have not been successful in getting married. Besides, I am now a mother which is something that is an honor in society.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the main challenge that I am currently facing in my household. This is because crop production is no longer reliable in our area. It is 4 years since it last rained and due to the harsh weather conditions, we have turned to charcoal selling the business as the major economic generating activity especially if you are not employed. It is cumbersome and the returns are low. In a month you can earn KES 2600 which is not sustainable. All the wages are spent on buying food only. I am a breastfeeding mother but sometimes, l have to skip meals which is hurting.