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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Kadzo's Profile
Kadzo's family
Kadzo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Teaching
faceAge:
35
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($521 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Repairing the posho mill is the biggest difference in my life as a result of gD transfers. Without the transfers, I would not have managed to repair the posho mill by now because the only option I had was to take a loan and I do not prefer loans. This is because the business has not been doing very well of late and \I may fail to raise enough money to pay back the loan in time. That would have meant I still would not be having any income to depend on. I am glad before things got worse, I was able to get help through the transfers.repir machinery
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Giving transfers to everyone GD ever did. It was the best we have ever had in the village. It was a special kind of help because there was no discrimination. There is nothing GD can do better.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my transfer on repairing our posho mill which had broken down two months ago. This has been my main source of income and when it broke down, I did not know how to raise money to repair it. I also used part of the transfer to buy a cow as investment for my family. I know when it reproduces, I know I know I will have many which are a source of wealth. Since I had some fees balance in school for my children, I used part of the transfer to pay school fees for my children to reduce the balance they had in school. I used the remaining to buy household items such as utensils and food which we did not have. I felt it wise to upgrade the little I had left in the house.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($541 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I can relate receiving transfers from GiveDirectly to the statement; "From grass to grace" because I completely had nothing. I only survived on small menial jobs which were not sustainable. At the moment, my life has really changed my life because I now own two dairy cows. I believe in few months to come, I will at least have some source of income from the sale of milk. Besides, I can now comfortably sit in my house after a heavy day after purchasing furniture. I used to shy away from inviting visitors in my house because there was nowhere to sit. Thanks to GiveDirectly because it has really changed my life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received transfers from GiveDirectly, I was very happy and thankful to God because I had lost hope of living a good life because of financial constraints. I had never received such a huge sum of money and GD money was the first huge amount I have ever received
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to purchase two dairy cows worth Ksh. 30000 because livestock keeping is the major economic activity in my community, furniture worth Ksh. 3000 since I had none, a mattress and school bag for my child costing Ksh. 3000 and spent the rest on foodstuff and other basic necessities for my household
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a food secure home for us. I will buy oxen and ox plough at 40000 shillings to expand my farming and get more yields. As long as there is food in the house, we will be able to dedicate more time to other income generating activities. The other pressing need I will address is paying 20000 for my son to join boarding school next year for his last class in primary education so he can concentrate on his studies and pass his final exam. With the remaining balance, I will help out my husband to clear part of the loan he took to build the house we now live in.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon because I do less chores, that is, just making lunch for the children unlike morning when I have lots to do such as preparing the children for school, making breakfast, clean the house and compound, going to the farm etc.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of sufficient finances has been our biggest hardship in life. My husband, a teacher by profession, took a loan 2 years ago to build the house we live in and has been paying it from his salary ever since. This has affected so many other financial areas such as education for the children and even food provision especially when the rains have failed and we have to buy food from shops which is more expensive than growing your own. We had to cut down on so many other expenses too so we can survive with the little he now brings home, for example he now has to walk for over an hour to get to his workplace instead of using a motorcycle like he used to so he can save the 200 shillings and spend it on food etc.