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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Kadzo's Profile
Kadzo's family
Kadzo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kadzo's next check-in.
 
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the next one year, as I continue to receive my transfers, my primary focus is directed towards realizing my dream of constructing a new and improved house. The significance of a comfortable house for a family has been my longstanding prayer, having experienced years of homelessness. I used to seek refuge in the neighborhood until my husband initiated the construction of a new structure with the assistance of the first transfers when we were enrolled in the program. This has instilled hope within me, believing that one day, I will have a house, to overcome challenges associated with exposure to colds during rainy seasons.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With four school-going children, monthly transfers have proven helpful for covering their school fees, ensuring uninterrupted education. This consistent financial support allows them ample time to focus on their studies, reflecting in improved academic performance. Additionally, a portion of the transfers, $8 every month has been helping me to buy an iron sheet. At the moment, I have accumulated 20 iron sheets. This will help me to construct a new house for my family of eight members. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the unwavering support. This not only enabled my children to continue with their education, but also contributing to the realization of our dream house.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Now that I have obtained the necessary iron sheets for constructing my house, my focus has shifted towards purchasing additional materials such as building poles, timber, nails, ropes, and other essential building supplies. Once I have acquired all these materials, I will have everything I need to begin building the house. The prospect of having a new house brings me great relief after enduring challenges for the past decade. I am extremely pleased with the progress I have made thus far, utilizing the monthly stipends to improve the quality of my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been living in a makeshift structure for over ten years, seeking shelter from extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain and intense sunlight. The poverty that my family faces has been a barrier to building a proper house. However, with the generous financial assistance from Give Directly, I have been able to allocate $16 of my monthly transfers towards purchasing iron sheets. I now have a total of 23 pieces, which is sufficient to construct a two-room house. In addition, I used $10 to obtain a birth certificate for my son, who will be taking his final primary education exams later this year. The birth certificate is a mandatory requirement for him to sit for the exams. I am delighted that he will finally have the necessary document and be able to sit for his examinations. The remaining $8 was spent on buying food to ensure that my family does not go to bed on an empty stomach. Both my husband and I work in casual jobs, making and selling charcoal, which brings in very little income, barely enough to cover all our family expenses. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support we are receiving from Give Directly, as it has made a significant difference in our lives.
 
13th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
For as long as I can remember, my ultimate goal has been to fix my house. The rain leaks have been a never-ending nightmare, causing damage to my household and everything in it. But now, I can finally say that I've achieved my dream, thanks to the generosity of GiveDirectly. With their financial support, I was able to purchase the necessary materials to fix the leaks, and I now live in a safe and secure hause. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for making my dream a reality.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a hardworking mother with four school-going children. To make ends meet, I usually cut trees and burn charcoal for income, while my husband does casual jobs that are not always reliable. However, we recently received financial assistance from GiveDirectly, and I used some of the money to address a critical need by purchasing iron sheets to fix our leaking roof. I spent $12 on this, and the rest of the money was used for food. I am grateful for the support, which has helped us to improve our living conditions and meet our basic needs.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 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?
Last year, as the year was drawing to an end, I made the decision to gradually start purchasing iron sheets so that I could ultimately construct a larger and nicer house. Since I now lack the necessary quantity to start the project, I intend to use the donations received this year to keep purchasing additional iron sheets until I do. The house we currently live in is quite small, and even though I share it with my husband, my three children, and my two grandchildren—who are also growing up and will soon need their own privacy—I. For these reasons, I want to build another house. I also intend to use the funds  on nourishment due to all we are facing caused by persistent drought.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After I got enrolled into the program I decided to gradually start buying iron sheets so that I could finally renovate my house. This is because the house I am living in at the moment is quite old and apart from that, most of the iron sheets are old, worn out and always leaking during the rainy season. This time around I proceeded to buy another pair of iron sheets which cost me KES 600 which leads me to so far having acquired fourteen. I then proceeded to spend the remaining balance on nutrition especially since it was the festive season. Therefore I bought five packets of maize flour, two packets of maize flour, two kilograms of rice, a litre of cooking oil and spices.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I saved KES 2,000 from the transfer through a self-help group. The plan is to withdraw KES 10,000 next month in order to construct a new one-room house for my husband and me. We reside in a shoddy shed that was formerly used as a kiosk structure, and it could collapse at any time due to strong winds. Furthermore, it is too small for our family of eight. As a result, my children have had to seek shelter from relatives and neighbors at night. The new house would at least fit the three youngest children. In addition, I paid KES 500 in school fees for my three primary school children, who were sent home every day to collect the money. Also, we had ran out of food for the previous two weeks and had to rely on neighbors for assistance. I would occasionally persuade the shopkeeper to give us food on credit, but it was always in vain. In fact, we had been surviving solely on water for three days prior to the transfer. As a result, I had to spend the remaining funds on maize flour.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has always given a hand in helping the needy by issuing monthly support through the unconditional transfers. Poverty levels have greatly reduced and lives have been bettered.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having no sustainable income other than what is received from casual jobs, has led to a challenging lifestyle. I am married to one husband who also does casual jobs to keep him going. Together we have been blessed with six children and we all live together in a not so well conditioned house. The KES 3000 received have really helped in a big way as I have been able to save up KES 1500 to construct a good house in the near future. I was also able to clear school fees arrears for my four children at KES 1000 and now they can be able to attend school without missing any lessons. Since food at home was already finished, I bought more at KES 500 to atleast last us for one whole week.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on Friday morning at around 11am when my daughter who is a beneficiary on this same program came to me with enthusiasm claiming to have received her cash ,I had no idea that had also received and as soon as she checked my phone and broke the news we were all excited .I could hear sounds of joy in my compound.It is at that point we cooked tea and prepared some pouch like bread(mandazi) as neighbours to celebrate that moment.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning a new home.My house is covered with papers and I live with my four children.I am worried that when the rains are here with us we may be forced to seek for an alternative or be homeless.My plan is to complete the roofing of the new house in the next few months .I am glad that finally I will have a two roomed house with a verandah which will give me my privacy and my children will be able to have their own room as well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My main goal has been to complete construction of my house through my savings from working as a charcoal burner have already started the project and its a work in progress. When I received my transfer I used KES 600 paid the construction contractor who has been working on the project and used KES 570 to buy food which would last one week for my family of six members.It has been a struggle to make ends meet with my business.I usually take upto two weeks before having one sack of charcoal that sells for a minimum of KES 500 which hardly enough to cover all our needs as a family
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As you can see, our house is on the verge of falling apart. My nights are restless because I keep thinking about what would happen if it just fell with my family fast asleep. The sad truth is, I am not financially capable of putting up another house right now. I am grateful for Give Directly. I will divide the money as it comes to buy iron sheets and food. I am also grateful that my husband will also be a beneficiary so the money we get will enable us to do some rear works faster.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The past two years have been one problem after another. Sometimes I sit and wonder what life is about. Am I meant to struggle through yo my old age? I have an unwell daughter. According to the doctors, she has a growth in her stomach. She needs tests done to determine how bad it is but we cannot afford them. We do not even have enough for ourselves. My children keep being sent home for fees. With all these issues combined, I don't find joy in anything at all.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My family depends on charcoal for survival. This business does not make us enough money. We make about KES 2,500 per week. That money is only enough to feed us and pay a small amount of school fees per term. We have arrears and I honestly do not know how we will offset them.