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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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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Kangombe's Profile
Kangombe's family
Kangombe
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
33
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before receiving the transfer, we lived in sad, poor conditions. Our house was old and falling apart. My children slept on the floor since we could not afford to buy a bed. We constantly worried about our safety because of the living circumstances. We also could not afford to meet some of my family's basic needs, especially education. I only earn KES 200 a day from selling charcoal and most of it is spent on buying food for the family. Thankfully, this changed once we received this transfer. We were able to build a spacious, comfortable house that can accommodate all seven family members. We no longer have anxiety about our safety. We also acquired goats that provide us with a steady supply of milk for use at home. Finally, we have paid school fees for our children. They can now learn without the disruption caused by a lack of school fees. It makes me happy that our lives have transformed for the better.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done well by sending us unconditional cash transfers that have improved our lives. Many residents of my village, including myself, have built comfortable houses, acquired livestock and some have started small businesses. We can meet our families' needs thanks to GiveDirectly. There isn't anything that GD has not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It has been my dream for many years to build a modern house for my family. The one we lived in was dilapidated and falling apart. I, however, could not afford to build another. The KES 200 a day I earn from selling charcoal is simply not enough. This is why it was important to me to begin the construction of a new house as soon as possible. I spent KES 38,000 on construction materials including bricks, cement and timber, and labour costs too. Since my children used to sleep on the floor, I purchased a bed worth KES 8,000 to enable them to sleep more comfortably. Additionally, I spent KES 5,500 to pay for school fees for my son so he can stay in school and learn. Lastly, I purchased three goats worth KES 9,000 that can supply our household with milk.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($506 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had visited my neighbour at around 9 am when I had a loud message notification from my phone. After checking I realized it was the transfer GiveDirectly had promised. I was filled with joy and confused at the same time, I had to leave my neighbour's to return to my house.
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 now sleeping on comfortable beddings unlike before when I use to sleep on the floor. I was always feeling back pain in the morning.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For many years, I had wished to acquire modern beddings for my family. This is because we have been sleeping on the floor with old rags as beddings which were not comfortable and risk at night since there was insect at the floor. I spent $180 to acquire a bed and 2 mattresses one for myself and the other for the children. In addition, I purchase one lorry of building stones for $100 this was for repairing my house by constructing pillars so that it may be stronger. Furthermore, I spent $100 to pay school fees for my children. The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing proper clothing and food for the family.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The walls to my house are in a bad condition. The walls are made of mud and this is a challenge especially during the rainy season since the mud starts falling off. Receiving this money will offer a permanent solution. I will use around 200 USD to change the walls from mud to plastered walls. This will save me the expenses that I incur every now and then doing repairs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the morning hours in my farm. At around noon I am usually back to the compound doing the house chores and later relaxing in the afternoon away from the scorching sun. This makes afternoon the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I fully depend on my husband to provide for the family's needs. My husband is a casual labourer who earns between 2-3 USD a day. This has seen me struggle in getting the basic needs such as food and clothing. He works away from and sometimes he sends no money at all when he does not get casual jobs. This has seen me and my four children have less to eat for the day. Financial constraints has therefore been my biggest hardship. This even explains the condition of my house.