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:
Casual labor
faceAge:
39
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($438 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My ambition is to see my children finish school because I believe that a good education will give them a better future. To ensure that I achieve my goal. I intend to open an eatery near my home to have a consistent source of income; I believe that I can save at least some of my earnings to do so.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
We knew from the start of the program that we were one of the lucky villages to receive assistance. This is because we were taken through the GiveDirectly program and allowed to express our thoughts and questions, which were handled well. The officers also carried themselves professionally. So far, I haven't come across anything that needs to be improved.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My children's school fees have been the most pressing need that I have been dealing with. This is because my husband lost his job a few months ago, leaving me as the sole breadwinner for my family. I work as a housekeeper for a neighbor and am blessed with four children. When I received my transfer, I decided to spend $260 on school fees and uniforms for my children. The remaining funds were then spent on food. I am relieved. My children can now study comfortably in school, which was not possible before because I could not afford to pay for everything all at once. I am grateful for the help that has brought me so much joy.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am a domestic worker and in the process of my daily chores I got a beep on my phone. Since I do not know how to read, I did not bother to check it. Instead, I went on with my chores knowing that my son would check it out in the evening once I get home as it has been the norm. Upon reaching home, I handed him the phone to check on the message and that was when he informed me that I had received money from Give Directly. That was the happiest moment of my life. I felt joyous and thanked God for the blessing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the payments from Give Directly is the joy and pride I have for having been able to pay for my child's college fee. Had it not been for the Give Directly then he would have dropped out of college by now. The KES 5000 I earn monthly could not afford both the college, secondary, and, primary fees, at the same time, meet other household expenses.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time when I received the first transfer, my son who is in college had stayed back at home for three days because he owed the school a huge fee balance. The priority was clearing his fee balance of KES 30000 so that he could resume his studies. Raising the fees was an uphill task. The KES 5000 that I earned from the casual work was not enough to both pay for his college fee, meet the daily household expenses and at the same time, I have other children in both primary and secondary school. We were almost losing the hopes of him pursuing his dream of becoming an electrical engineer but I would not have forgiven myself for failing my son if he had dropped out. All I need is a bright future for my children. I am glad to Give Directly for coming to our rescue. Other than that, I also bought timber and nails at KES 12000 for extending my house. We are a family of seven, but we only have a single room. It has not been easy sharing a sleeping room with my children some of whom are of age. I did not have a choice but to share the same room with them since my income could not afford a bigger house. With the materials ready, I am hopeful that soon we shall have separate rooms hence our privacy. A portion of the money I spent on foodstuffs for my family. The much I bought can still push us for another month. I feel so much relieved financially and finally, I can have some savings.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
One of my hobbies is cooking. It is always a delight when I prepare food for my family and I see the smiles on their faces as they eat. I would like to put the same smiles on other people in my village. I plan to build a small structure where I can prepare and sell food. I am lucky I have my piece of land I can build on and smoothly run my business. I once had a small kiosk where I would sell tea and buns but it did not do so well because I had rented the space and the business was not making enough profit to sustain it. I am wiser now and capable of making better decisions on how to run this business and I am confident it will do much better this time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Everyday is a happy day. That I wake up healthy my children are doing well and have food on my table is reason enough to be joyful.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I burn charcoal for a living. The profit I make once I have sold the charcoal is about 800 KES a week which is barely enough to meet all needs. I have four children who depend on me to provide food daily pay their school fees on time. There are days they are forced to eat a meal a day, weeks they stay back home due to school fees arrears. If only I had a better paying job finances would not be an issue to me