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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 > Kasiwa's Profile
Kasiwa's family
Kasiwa
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I have a new goal that developed before receiving the cash transfers which was to renovate my house. Initially, it had weak walls with an old roof which could leak terribly during the rainy seasons. Besides, I have been experiencing losses and damages as a result. Also, my children have regularly been attacked by cold-related diseases. I am hopeful that this will be achieved fully soon.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has been doing a great job in my entire village. Our lives have extremely been improved through the cash transfers we received from the organization. The majority of us could not pay for our very basic needs like food among others. Also, we had no hopes of owning livestock because of the poverty life that had stricken our households. Currently, 90% of us have cows, goats, and hens. Therefore I do not see anything GiveDirectly is not doing well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying a pair of oxen at KES 50000. I decided to buy the bulls because of the many benefits they have. It has been my wish to have them but I couldn't afford them because of the financial hardship that I have been facing. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for empowering me financially to buy them at once. I believe that they will help plough my farm on time since it takes fewer days as compared to doing the exercise by myself. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuff for my family and other household items that I was lacking.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was about 9 am and I was on the farm looking after my goats when I heard a message notification. On checking my phone, I saw the message informing me that I had received the cash transfer from GiveDirecly. I was extremely happy and felt blessed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is my family now owns two dairy cows. We no longer spend KES 60 on buying milk on a daily basis, which was a strenuous financial situation for us because I do not have a stable source of income. Instead, the cows we acquired give us milk for home use. We also sell some at KES 30 a litre and earn money to meet our basic needs. This makes me very happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family used to buy milk on a daily basis. This was a difficult situation for us because I am unemployed and do not have a stable source of income. This is why I prioritised the purchase of two dairy cows worth KES 35,000, to give us a consistent milk supply. I also spent KES 13,500 on buying a bed and a new mattress, so that my family can sleep comfortably. Lastly, I spent KES 6,200 on buying food for the household.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means owning a decent house for me. I will improve my house to a better standard. Currently, my house is in a very bad condition. I do not have a bed. My house is a mud constructed house, during the rain season, some parts of the house falls down leaving holes on the house. This makes my house insecure to live in and that's why I will immediately renovate my house after getting the transfer from GiveDirectly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of my day. It is in the afternoon that I relax and catch up with my wife after a busy morning working as a casual labourer.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lacking a constant sustainable income is the biggest hardship for me. I work as a casual labourer, sometimes the pay I get, does not satisfy my needs and that of my wife. Sometimes we are forced to go to bed without food.