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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Charo's Profile
Charo's family
Charo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
attach_money
 
Follow to be updated on Charo's next check-in.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
 
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I feel that GiveDirectly did well in sending cash directly to our phones. This has allowed us to make our decision on how best to use the aid. In addition, their officers were well behaved and serves us with respect.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to purchase one goat for KES 3000. This was to fulfill my longing of starting livestock rearing an alternative source of livelihood. Small-scale crop farming an activity that I have been depending on is no longer sustainable due to the severe drought in the area. Currently, I am forced to do charcoal burning which is very laborious, low-paying, and characterized by a lot of chest problems.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was already at my workplace.in the morning at 6 am. While busy digging the pit, I received a text message in phone. I asked my lastborn son who we working together to read the message because I cannot read. He told me the good news, that I had received my first transfer. I was thrilled and beamed. I immediately ran back and shared the good news with my wife. The news made me confused for a moment as I thought it was a dream.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money is going to make a big difference in my life. When I finally buy the goat, I will fulfill the longest desire of my heart. I have always wanted to own livestock of my own. I will rear them and eventually double up their numbers and buy other types of livestock, such as the cows and sheep.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I was a thrilled man. I had never imagined that I will receive unconditional money from any organization. I received KSH 1200 for my transfer. With the transfer, I saved so that I could gather enough money to buy a goat. I have always wanted to own livestock of my own, but I have not managed to. In our culture, the amount of livestock you have measures wealth in a home. I could not buy livestock all this time because I earn little from my business charcoal. The charcoal takes a minimum of a week to prepare. The process involves cutting down of wood, digging a shallow pit, arranging the pieces well, covering the pit and the wood after making a fire beneath with sand and twigs. A sack of charcoal goes for KSH 450. The order on the charcoal depends on the customer. Sometimes it is very hard to even sell a single bag. It is for this reason that I could not save enough money to buy livestock. I am also getting older each day and when I can no longer work, I would want to look after my livestock on my farm.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When my house collapsed three years ago, I build a two-room house that serves as the living room and bedroom for both my wife and I. My three sons who had gone to the city to look for jobs have never returned home since then because they have nowhere to spend their nights when they visit me in the village. It has not been easy for me not seeing them for that long given that I rarely speak to them because I got no mobile phone. I have always desired to add two more rooms so that I can accommodate them whenever they wish to visit me but I have not been in a position to do so due to poverty. With this money, I will be able to save Ksh 1500 every month for this project.
What is the happiest part of your day?
What I'm grateful for is the gift of life and being able to persevere the tough drought season.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge that I'm facing currently is being unable to support both my wife and my aging mother. Previously I used to sell livestock to buy food but the prolonged drought has seen me lose all my livestock. I have nothing to rely on, it has also been so hard to get a casual job. Most are the days when we have slept hungry.