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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Newsfeed > Irine's Profile
Irine's family
Irine
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workCampaign
Kenya RCT Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
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71st Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($19 USD)
access_time 2 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
We recently sold one of our cows and, coupled with the funds from the sale of a posho mill, managed to scrape together enough money to buy 0.2 acres of land. It's a small but significant step towards securing a better future for us. Currently, we're living on a smaller piece of land, and though we don't have a cow right now, our plan for the coming year is to buy another one. The cow not only symbolizes a source of livelihood but also represents stability and progress for us. To make this happen, I'm committed to saving through the merry-go-round, putting aside every coin to accumulate enough for the purchase. We are also determined to ensure our children receive a good education. With two of them already in secondary school, the financial burden has increased. My husband, understanding the importance of education, has taken on the role of a school cook, working tirelessly to raise the funds needed for our children's school fees. It's a challenging journey, but the prospect of a brighter future keeps us motivated. We believe that through hard work, resilience, and strategic planning, we can accomplish these goals and pave the way for a better life for our family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
When GiveDirectly came to our village and distributed unconditional money to everyone, it was a moment that transformed our lives. What stood out was the fairness in their approach—every single person, regardless of their background or circumstances, received an equal amount. This not only fostered a sense of unity but also eliminated any feelings of inequality. The process was incredibly transparent; they took the time to explain everything thoroughly, ensuring we understood how the program worked and what it aimed to achieve. GiveDirectly's commitment to fairness and transparency has not only provided financial relief but has fostered a stronger sense of community, where everyone feels valued and heard.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I've been diligently saving $15 in a merry-go-round with 18 members. It's been a helpful practice, providing a financial buffer for unexpected expenses and future plans. However, the recent struggles with our maize crops have affected our income. Maize hasn't been doing well, impacting our ability to rely on it as a stable source of income. Despite the challenges, we're determined to restart our merry-go-round savings. I understand the importance of financial resilience, especially with a family of eight children to care for. In addition to my efforts in the merry-go-round, I engage in sand mining and farming to support my husband, who works as a school cook nearby. The unconditional transfer has played a crucial role in helping me purchase household food items, ensuring our family stays nourished despite the setbacks in our agricultural endeavors. The support has been invaluable, especially during times when external factors threaten our income streams.
 
68th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($20 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have been participating in a merry-go-round savings group, and my goal is to continue saving diligently. The ultimate aim of this savings endeavor is to accumulate enough money to purchase a cow. This cow will not only serve as a valuable asset but also symbolize the fruits of my hard work and the support I have received from GiveDirectly. It will significantly boost our milk production, providing us with a consistent source of nutrition for our family. Moreover, we can sell any surplus milk to generate additional income. This extra money will be crucial for purchasing essential household items and ensuring that our family's needs are met. I will continue to rely on my sand mining business which has been a source of steady income, and I am determined to work even harder to raise the necessary funds. With dedication and persistence, I am confident that I can achieve my goal of buying that cow and securing a better future for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I was absolutely amazed at what GiveDirectly has achieved in our village. One thing that really stood out was how they ensured that every person, received an equal amount of money. There was no discrimination or favoritism; they made sure no one was left behind. But what truly impressed me was their follow-up process. They didn't just hand us the money and disappear. Instead, they stayed engaged, checking in on how we were using the funds, offering guidance where needed, and ensuring that the money was genuinely improving our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been setting aside $12 every month in our merry-go-round savings group with my fellow community members. We formed this group to help each other buy valuable assets when one of us receives a payout. I also used part of the money to buy maize flour, ensuring that my children had enough to eat. With eight kids to support and my husband working as a cook in a nearby school, every bit of help counts. I do sand mining which is hard work, but it is essential to supplement our income and make ends meet. With the money I earn from sand mining, I am able to cover other expenses and provide my family with a more comfortable life. Thanks to the transfers, we have managed to build a better future for ourselves, one step at a time.
 
64th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Next year, I intend to purchase a cow for $20 as an investment and for milk production to produce revenue to supplement my income from casual labor. I plan to use my savings from the merry-go-round group to achieve this goal.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am grateful to GiveDirectly for considering me for their financial support, which allows me to satisfy my basic needs. Furthermore, offering everyone an equal transfer was a wonderful thing because it makes everyone feel happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a member of a merry-go-round group that came into existence when we began benefiting from GiveDirectly. We started the group for savings and financial empowerment purposes. We are a group of eighteen people paying $12 monthly. Through my most recent transfer, I was able to pay my subscription on time. I used $10 from the transfer to buy five two-kilogram cans of maize for my family to keep us from going hungry. With 10 people in the house, I expect the maize to last us at least a week. Having a sufficient stock of maize relieves me of the pressure of spending additional money on food during this tough economic time. To lessen my financial burdens and thus give myself peace of mind, I added the remaining $7 to my savings and paid my daughter's secondary school tuition. She is currently in the second grade.
 
60th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($24 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?
In the coming year and beyond, my plan is to buy a dairy cow for milk production. I will be able to sell milk or the calves when in need of money especially when in need of paying school fees for my eight children. My other plan is to educate all my children to higher levels of education. I will be able to achieve all this through the reliable GiveDirectly's transfer. Thanks so much GiveDirectly for the financial support.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion what I love about GiveDirectly is uplifting the living standards of all of us in the village. The fact that everyone is given the freedom to use the money to carter for different pressing needs is amazing. I have seen people paying school fees for their children and even buy household items. Actually their is nothing that went wrong which I can talk about at the moment.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having joined a merry go round group a few years ago after I started receiving the transfers, I have accomplished a lot and therefore I decided to continue saving this year. The last one helped me pay KES 13000 as school fees for my son in high school. When I got my recent transfer, I saved KES 1200 in the merry go round group. I am glad that I did this on time, thanks to GiveDirectly. I also managed to buy maize for my family of 10 people which really cushioned us from the current hunger season.
 
56th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($24 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
52nd Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($25 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
48th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
43rd Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
40th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
36th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
32nd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($21 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.