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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 > Kadzo's Profile
Kadzo's family
Kadzo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
24
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($347 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the future, I would wish to buy more goats to make it a business, on which when they multiply I will be able to sell some of them to meet my daily needs and emergencies. since I have my piece of land now it would be easier for me to look after them. I used to have livestock that had grown to a good number before the drought destroyed them last year. Now that we have food at home and my husband is not paying school fees for November and December,we are hoping to bank some good amount on his salary so that we will be able to buy some more goats.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Am glad that Give Directly supports us with cash transfers so that we decide on how we improve our lives. I also feel that they are doing well and there is nothing they should change.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For several years, I've struggled with unemployment, relying solely on my husband, a plumber earning a meager $80 per month at Matanomane, to support our large family of nine children—five of my own and four from my husband's previous marriage. The financial strain was overwhelming until GiveDirectly provided a glimmer of hope through cash transfers. With the second transfer of $250, I seized the opportunity to purchase a 1.5-acre plot in Matanomane, alleviating the stress of not having land as our family grew. Empowered by this acquisition, I plan to establish a café on part of the land to generate additional income. Furthermore, $100 was spent to settle the school fees of my eight children, six attending a public elementary school and two in a community school. This relieved them from constant disruptions caused by outstanding fees, enabling them to complete the academic year without any educational debt. The impact reached beyond education; I invested $80 in a 90kg sack of maize, ensuring my children no longer go hungry. Additionally, I purchased two goats at $40 each, hopeful that they will multiply and contribute to our future stability. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our lives have taken a positive turn, offering newfound security and opportunities for our growing family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($374 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At around 2 in the afternoon, I found a moment of respite after a hectic day of crafting charcoal when I noticed the notification indicating the arrival of my unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly. Excitement coursed through me, and I couldn't wait to share this life-changing news with my husband. We both knew that this windfall was the catalyst we needed to breathe life into our long-held dreams of renovating our humble home. With newfound hope, we couldn't wait to turn those dreams into reality, knowing that this cash infusion was the cornerstone of our brighter future.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I started receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly, the most profound change in my life has been the ability to clear the school fees for my children. Their education had been a constant struggle, with my spouse's meager salary making it difficult to keep them in school consistently. The fear that they might have to drop out due to our financial constraints weighed heavily on my heart, and their on-and-off attendance had a detrimental impact on their academic performance. As a mother, there's no greater joy than seeing them back in school, knowing that this will pave the way for them to achieve good grades, graduate, and secure lucrative jobs. This newfound educational stability not only promises to break the cycle of poverty that has plagued my household but also ensures a brighter future not only for them but for generations to come.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $400 of my recent unconditional cash transfer on buying bags of cement, bricks, and other construction materials. This was essential for the renovation of our old and deteriorating house. The walls needed plastering, and the floor required proper cementing. Every creak and crack in the house had become a constant source of worry, fearing it might collapse at any time. Thanks to the cash transfer, I was finally able to invest in these renovations, bringing a sense of safety and relief to our family. Now, we can sleep peacefully without the constant fear of our house falling apart. In addition to the home improvements, I used a portion of the money to pay the school fees for my four children in lower grades, totaling $50. Education is crucial, and I was determined not to compromise on their learning. With the remaining $65, I decided to buy a new mattress to replace our old, worn-out one. It might seem like a small thing, but having a comfortable and clean place to sleep has improved our overall well-being. The rest of the money was wisely spent on buying food to ensure that my nine family members had enough to eat. My husband's meager income from casual labor, which is only $80 per month, was hardly sufficient to support our growing family, so this cash transfer has been a lifeline for us.
 
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My house and education for the children top the list of my priorities. At the moment, the walls of my house are half open and this has exposed me to any passersby. This has never given me peace because I always feel so ashamed to expose my beddings to people. With this money, I will be able to spend utmost $300 to ensure my house is renovated to put it in a good state. This will restore my dignity and hence, a happy family. Part of this money ($100), will help me to start a project on farming where I will be growing tomatoes through irrigation. Since my husband works at a water site, it will be easy for me to access water for my project. The remaining amount will help me to settle other household needs including; paying school fees and purchasing of new beddings. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
This year came with a lot of blessings for us. Imagine for the past 3 years, our area has not received rain and this is to mean a lack of food because most of us depend on farming. With the rains we received, we were able to take put focus on farming and food is now available. Although I did this in a small portion because I lacked the money to till a big land, I am happy to have two bags of 90 kilograms. This will cushion us for the next 3 months. Hence, I consider this as what has brought me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My most felt needs in my household are food insecurity and lack of school fees for my children not forgetting the nature of my house which is currently half open to the walls. All these challenges have put me in a worse situation because my social status has been affected. Imagine watching my children desperately at home while others are in school is something that has robbed away my joy as a mother. In addition, going hungry has also affected our health status and we always look so weak. What a life! I, therefore, consider these challenges as what have made my life so difficult.