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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Sidi's Profile
Sidi's family
Sidi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
41
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 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?
When I received the money, I did not have any other goals in mind thus I concentrated on the initial goals I had already set. This enabled me to input my energy on one direction for the success of the project I had already started with the first transfer.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization is very good. It has uplifted our living standard as a community. Our community had poor structured houses before but now through this organization we were empowered to build good looking houses. Personally, it not only improved my living standard but also boosted my self-esteem. I had confidence at all when surrounded by people who come from good looking homes but now I am very confident and I no longer feel intimidated by their statuses.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the second transfer, I bought a bicycle for KES 5000.00. This bicycle was to aid my family in fetching some water as well as being used by my children as a means of transport for going to school; this is because their school is a bit far from where we live. For quite some time they have been in the list of reaching to school late but for now things have changed. I also bought 3 goats for KES 9000.00. Thereafter, I used the remaining amount in finalizing the construction project of my house which I had started using the first transfer. As at now I am in a good spacious house not as before.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 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 when I received the good news. It was exactly 9 in the morning when I had attended a meeting when I saw the message notification from my mobile phone. When I checked its content, I realized it was an Mpesa message from Segovia Technology informing me that I had finally received my first transfer as promised earlier. I was overwhelmed with joy and I remember having to leave the meeting because I could no longer concentrate. After arriving home, I shared the news with all my family members about this awesome news, and they all happily celebrated.
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 am so grateful to GiveDirectly for supporting me financially. This money has empowered me to build a new decent house. Initially, I used to sleep in a temporary small house that had its roof leaking and almost collapsing. The walls in this house were all cracked up and this made us suffer a lot especially during the rainy seasons. My children and I often felt sick due to the harsh weather conditions because the environment was not conducive at all. In addition, with my family of eight members, it could not accommodate us all and there was no privacy. I am now happy because I sleep comfortably in an iron-roofed house that is well plastered. My children are no longer falling sick like before and we are so grateful to GD for bringing such a great impact on my life. It would take ages for me to construct the house using my cash because I solely depend on casual jobs with low income ( KES 150) in a day.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on purchasing building materials such as twenty-two pieces of iron sheets at KES 19800, building poles KES 7000, nails and timber, and labor costs at KES 5000. I had bought all these to construct a new house because the initial one was in critical condition and anytime it would collapse. I later cleared school fees of KES 2200 for my four children who are in primary school. I am so gald and peaceful they are no longer being sent home regularly like before. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs and some other household items that I was lacking.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money mean spacious house to my family.This is because I have a one bed room that I share with my three young children while the other three are sleeping to a relative in the compound.I plan to spend Kshs.30,000 to build a three bed room house that will be enough for my household.I will also use Ksh.30,000 to buy two indigenous cows at Ksh.15,000 each for production of milk for my own consumption.The remaining amount will help me cater for other basic needs such as school fees and food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is because I share meals and charts with my children before I go to sleep. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours, when they are away at school. Sometimes, I spend the day assisting my husband in preparing logs for charcoal.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of regular income to sustain my family.I am a house wife and my husband depends on charcoal burning business which earns him very little and tiresome.This has made me struggle to meet the daily needs for the household hence not able to have a bigger house.Sometimes, it is embarrassing to host visitors because I am forced to ask for neighbours to accommodate them.