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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Completed
Newsfeed > Kanze's Profile
Kanze's family
Kanze
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kanze's next check-in.
 
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 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 upcoming year, my focus is on investing in livestock, particularly goats, given their cost-effectiveness and quick reproduction. My primary aim is to build up a herd of goats, with the intention of eventually selling them to acquire a cow, which I view as a valuable investment. I will utilize my upcoming transfers to accomplish this goal. Owning a cow will provide additional income, especially if it reproduces and I can sell the offspring. The supplementary income will also enable me to meet the educational expenses of my son, who is in junior secondary school. I am deeply grateful to this organization for enhancing my living standards through their financial support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I dig out tree stumps and sell charcoal to support our family of five. Getting food was a major problem, and we would go days without eating. The business was not doing well and barely made us any money. However, I am grateful that these transfers have changed our lives for the better. I have been able to comfortably pay school fees for my son in junior secondary school. Additionally, we have been able to buy food and save money for a rainy day. From the transfers, I saved $60 in our local savings club, intending to use the funds when my son joins secondary school and to invest in livestock. I used $30 to pay off my son's school fees debt, and the remaining amount was spent on buying food for my family, as we had none. I am happy that my life has changed, and my family will forever be indebted to you
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 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?
In the upcoming months and beyond, my foremost objective is to secure funding for my son's education. My aim is to settle all outstanding school fees to ensure his uninterrupted learning journey. By eliminating these financial burdens, he can fully focus on his studies, paving the way for a brighter future. I am grateful for the financial support provided, as it has significantly contributed to meeting my family's needs, particularly in facilitating my son's education.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
During a challenging phase in my son's education, he faced frequent dismissals from school due to outstanding fees. My husband manages a modest enterprise vending local toothbrushes, generating insufficient income to meet our family's needs, particularly concerning our son's schooling expenses. Unfortunately, my health prohibits me from pursuing labor-intensive employment due to severe chest pains. Consequently, I invested $60 in acquiring a goat and $20 in six hens, anticipating their reproduction to yield funds for future school fees. Allocating $10 for tilling a portion of my two-acre plot in preparation for the upcoming rains, I set aside $5 in a savings collective for potential emergencies. The remaining $41 was utilized to procure essential provisions and detergents for our household, ensuring we never go hungry. I am profoundly grateful for the financial assistance, which has enabled my son to sustain uninterrupted education.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($22 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?
Previously, I used to engage in charcoal making to assist my husband in providing for our two children. Unfortunately, due to the physical toll it took on me, resulting in chest complications, I had to discontinue this activity. Since then, my husband has borne the sole responsibility for supporting the family through his chewing stick business. I am happy the cash transfers have allowed me to actively contribute, especially towards school fees. I plan to use the funds to create wealth through goat and chicken rearing, providing a sustainable source of income even after the cash transfers conclude. Despite my inability to engage in physical work, keeping livestock will enable me to continue supporting the needs of my family through potential sales in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As the primary provider for our family, my husband's income from selling chewing sticks has been insufficient to meet our daily needs. The cash transfers have been a tremendous blessing, supplementing his earnings and providing crucial support, especially in covering the school fees for our son. With our son now in junior high school, the fees have increased compared to his time in primary school. Over the past three months, I directed a portion of the cash transfers to settle a fee balance from the previous term, allocating $15 each month to the school. Additionally, I saved $15 through a savings group to contribute towards future school fees and materials such as uniforms and stationery. The remaining $4 was utilized to enhance my husband's earnings, ensuring we could afford household items like soap and food. I am genuinely grateful for this support.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Finally, a glimmer of hope emerges as we anticipate a bountiful harvest by the month's end. This long-awaited abundance promises to alleviate many of our challenges, particularly the hefty expenses incurred on purchasing costly food from stores. With this burden lifted, my intention is to save the surplus from the harvest and utilize it to provide a better education for my son. Moreover, I have plans to invest a portion of the funds in acquiring livestock, thus venturing into a path that leads to wealth creation.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In my family, my husband is the sole breadwinner, earning a living by selling locally made toothbrushes crafted from tree branches. Unfortunately, his income is not enough to cover all our expenses. In an effort to lighten the financial burden on him, I decided to use a significant portion of my July transfers to purchase twelve packets of maize flour, which provided us with enough food to last close to two weeks. I feel relieved that we didn't have to go hungry during these challenging economic times, as we were able to enjoy all our meals without any shortages. In addition to buying food, I also used some of the funds to pay for my youngest son's primary school fees. This ensured that he could continue with his education without interruptions. The financial support from these transfers has greatly improved our lives, as my son is no longer facing the possibility of being sent home due to school fee arrears, which used to happen in the past. I am truly grateful for the empowerment these transfers have provided, as they have made a significant positive impact on our family's well-being.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As my health continues to decline and prevents me from working on physically demanding jobs, I plan to invest my monthly stipend in starting a livestock business to generate income. This will help reduce the burden on my husband as the sole breadwinner. Additionally, I intend to use a portion of the transfer to provide my son with the best education possible, allowing him to have a better future than our current situation.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family's livelihood is solely dependent on my husband's income from selling locally-made toothbrushes. Unfortunately, my deteriorating health has prevented me from contributing to the family income. I suffer from chest pains that make it challenging to perform any labor-intensive jobs. I was ecstatic when I received my March transfers. I immediately spent $2 on medicine to alleviate the chest pains. I also paid $10 towards my son's school fees, allowing him to sit for his end-of-term exams. In addition, I invested $12 in buying three hens, with the hope of increasing my initial investment as they multiply over the next three months. I plan to sell them for a considerable profit once they mature. Finally, I saved $10 in a savings group to cater for any unforeseen emergencies. With these investments, I hope to be able to supplement my husband's income and contribute towards our family's needs.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Personally I am quite grateful with the assistance I received from the organization so far because it has enabled me to take care of the most important things in my house hold. For instance my son does not get kicked out of school anymore because every chance I get the funds I make sure to settle all the pending debts. The money has been quite a huge relief for me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was at my utmost happiest when I received the funds especially because at the time I had debt in school fees that I had not yet settled. Therefore I went ahead to spend KES 1,500 to pay a part of the debt. Afterwards I proceeded to spend the same amount of money on purchasing three hens because I planned on investing in poultry farming. I ended up remaining with a balance of KES 400 and I decided to use that amount to purchase two packets of maize flour because there was hardly any food in the house at the time.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home putting the charcoal chunks into the bags I was going to sell them in. My phone loudly rang while I was working to let me know that I had a text message. My son read the message and informed me that I had received my transfer for the first time. I stopped what I was doing and leaped to my feet in joy. I yelled at the top of my lungs in jubilation because I could not believe I had received the cash. Later that evening, I told my husband the wonderful news, and he was overjoyed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest impact the transfer has had on my life is allowing my son to return to school after a week at home. I was extremely saddened to see my son returning home because neither my husband nor I had the resources to cover his overdue school fee arrears. When I finally received my transfer, I was thrilled to see my son attending class after using the money from the transfer to partially pay the school fee arrears.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband supports our family primarily through the sale of locally made tooth brushes crafted from tree twigs. I sell charcoal to help my husband pay the astronomical household expenses. Since there are fewer customers due to the bad economy, we are both having trouble making ends meet. Due to a lack of resources to purchase food, we are frequently forced to go to bed on an empty stomach. We ran out of food two days before I got my first transfer, so we had to get by on sugar-free tea for the subsequent two days. When I got my transfer, I spent $7 on food to make sure my family would never go hungry. Along with purchasing food, I used the last $5 to cover my son's overdue school fees after he was expelled. After missing lessons for a full week, I can rest easy knowing that he is back in school.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I receive the first transfer, I will clear school fees arrears for my child amounting to 1,000 KES. I will then slowly start investing in goat rearing . Goats are of benefit because when they multiply, I will sell and settle some bills and educate my last born. One young goat costs between 2,500 KES and 3,000 KES.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I bought two goats from my savings at the beginning of the year. I had saved a little from selling charcoal. I am glad they are doing well and soon one of them will give birth. This is my joy because I can plan for bigger projects as they continue multiplying.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My eyes and ears have been giving me problems for one year now. They often ache. I have visited the hospital thrice but I see no improvement even after medication. My desire is to see a specialist but lack of money is limiting me.