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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Completed
Newsfeed > Zainab's Profile
Zainab's family
Zainab
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Zainab's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
This year, my objective is to accumulate sufficient funds to purchase a water tank, priced at $500. Acquiring this tank presents a promising business opportunity for me, particularly in light of the persistent issue of water scarcity in my village, particularly during the dry season. My strategy involves storing water in the tank and subsequently selling it to generate income. I am immensely grateful for the ongoing financial assistance from Give Directly, which has been instrumental in supporting my family's education endeavors.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I utilized $4 from my transfers to procure stationery supplies for my four children in anticipation of their return to school. Prior to their resumption, I invested in new school bags for $17 and purchased fresh school uniforms for two of my children, amounting to $20. This provision of essential items ensures their focus on education and enhances their learning experience. Additionally, I covered exam fees totaling $13, facilitating their participation in upcoming examinations. In November, I allocated $14 to plow my farm in preparation for planting, resulting in a bountiful harvest that currently sustains us. Furthermore, I allocated $20 towards obtaining birth certificates for my two eldest children, a prerequisite for their education. This investment was crucial to ensure their compliance with school requirements. Amidst these expenses, I managed to save $5, while also allocating $9 towards purchasing food for my family. I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance provided by Give Directly, which has significantly contributed to our well-being and stability.
 
13th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to establish my own vegetable-selling business, driven by the desire to provide for my family more comfortably and with less financial strain. To achieve this, I am committed to saving a portion of my monthly income, aiming to set aside between $10 to $15 each month. My target is to open the business in February next year, believing that the income generated will significantly contribute to our financial well-being and create a stable future for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the GiveDirectly transfers came as a lifeline during a challenging time in our lives. With my husband and I relying on low-paying jobs, it was a constant struggle to provide for our children. The timing of the transfers was perfect as we were struggling with the need to pay our children's examination fees. With immediate relief, we used a portion of the transfer, which amounted to $10, to settle the required fees, ensuring their education continued uninterrupted. The remaining $24.70 was also of great help in terms of addressing our ongoing challenge of putting food on the table for our family of six. We felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for GiveDirectly's support during this critical period, and it made a significant impact on our daily lives.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My hope is to start my own business in the future. I have been diligently saving money, which I usually receive from Givedirectly, with the intention of opening a cafeteria.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I utilized $8 of the money received from GiveDirectly to pay for my child's school fees. Additionally, I regularly set aside $10 in my Merry Go Round savings, which I can access in times of need or save for future use. The remaining $16 is allocated towards fulfilling my family's essential requirements, such as purchasing food.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been working in a different town from home so that I can be able to cater for the needs of my family and also assist my husband financially. Therefore afterI received my most recent transfers I ended up sending KES 2,200 back home so that my kids were able to cater for what they needed. I asked my children to deposit KES 600 of that money in the savings committee that I belong to and they ended up using the balance to buy four packets of wheat flour and six packets of maize flour. I still have a balance of KES 1,200 on me which I plan on using by paying for tuition fee when my kids resume school next week. As for my funds back in November I did a similar thing but this time around I sent the entire money back home so that they would ensure they have nutrition and also so that one of my kids could seek medical attention because he was sick.
 
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?
GiveDirectly is a caring and uplifting organization. Concerning the program the community was enrolled in, there is an assurance of getting some money monthly. Even though is not much with proper planning, one can do wonders because there is a guarantee of getting it every month. I fully support the idea.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
By the time I received my tenth transfer, I was undergoing some frustrations concerning my children's school examination fees. They were two days old at home after being sent out of school to collect $6 exam money I did not have at the moment. Upon receiving the transfer, I felt so happy because GiveDirectly enabled me to pay the exam money immediately and my four children went back to school happily. As they returned to school, their bright faces relieved me and gave me peace of mind. Thereafter, I invested $10 in a merry-go-round program that we have and through this program, I save some money for the future without straining. I also used $10 for food and $4 to buy some personal effects.
 
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?
My excitement went off the roof the instant I realized that the Organization had actually sent the transfers and this is just because we hardly had any food in the house and I was worried we were going to sleep hungry therefore I was grateful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Paying the debt for my children in school was more important and this is because they were gettingg kicked out of school every single day for over a week and I had got to a point where I had run out of lies as well to tell the school, so I'm glad that I could finally deal with that and settle it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A week before I had received the funds my kids were being sent home on the daily due to the fact that they had a debt in examination fee that I hadn't settled, so when I realized that I had the money now I went ahead to pay KES 300 for the two of them. I also had a debt at the store so I ended up paying KES 200 because there was a time there was barely no food in the house and I had to go take something to feed my children. I also bought four and a half kilograms of maize flour worth KES 500 so that we would at least have something to eat for the next couple of days. I used the remaining balance of KES 200 to buy laundry detergent and body oil.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always desired to help my husband with household responsibilities. Having to take care of 5 children with no good source of income is overwhelming him. Receiving these transfers will however enable me to at least help with some family needs so that I can lift the burden off him. I plan to use the transfers to start keeping egg-laying chicken because I want to start supplying eggs to the shopkeepers in our village to save them the time of having to travel far away to purchase eggs wholesale. This business will therefore generate a good income for my family enabling me to fulfill my desire.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being that I am going to get into this program has given me a reason to smile again after a very long time of waiting for GD to come to our village. These transfers are going to bring a big change to our family when we combine our transfers with the other 3 members who have been selected for the GD program.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband toils every day to find ways of making money so that our children can feed and go to school comfortably. His sources of income were the goats he used to keep but unfortunately, we had to sell all of them for his medication when he got sick for close to 3 years. Currently, he depends on his motorcycle which does not bring good income as the livestock selling business. Lack of sufficient finances in the family is therefore the current challenge that I face.