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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 > Kadzo's Profile
Kadzo's family
Kadzo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
41
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($451 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?
My main goal is for my kids to succeed in life, and the only way that can happen is with higher education. I want to make sure that they receive a university education, therefore I'm hoping to maintain the business that I now enhanced with a portion of the transfers and combine the income from it with the money my husband receives from operating public transportation. They will be able to find better occupations and, hopefully, enjoy better lives in the future through better education, in my opinion.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
It was a fantastic concept to offer financial transfers without conditions. In addition to providing us with cash, their field staffs also educated and counseled us on how to improve our lives while still allowing us to make our own decisions. We felt empowered, which inspired us. On the other hand, the organization is doing everything correctly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $200 on 12 bags of cement as well as the plastering work for my kids' room. It was composed of mud, which rendered it unstable because rain could wash the walls away. Because there is less dust, and plastered, I am happy that the house is more stable and tidy. Additionally, we have four children, three of whom are enrolled in school but who owed the school $150 in arrears, which I fully paid with the money from the second transfer. They are no longer sent home for school expenses, and I owe the organization for this it has led to improvement in their academic performance. Additionally, I spent $20 on them to replace the worn-out old sets of school uniforms they had, which has raised their self-esteem. I invested $50 to expand my modest fish purchasing and selling business in order to increase our household income. At first, it was unable to support itself, but I am pleased with how the income have grown and how I am now able to provide for our daily necessities. Since we did not have any and could instead borrow some from my mother-in-law whenever we had guests, I paid $42 for seven seats. I used the remaining $66 to buy food for my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember it was around 8 am when I was preparing my younger kid to go to the clinic for a medical check-up. I heard the news about the transfer from my neighbors who were celebrating receiving their transfer. I was shocked and worried at first that I might have missed the transfer. I had to check my Mpesa balance to confirm if I had received my transfer too. I could not believe it after seeing the transfer on my account. I was very happy for receiving my transfer knowing that I will finally be able to accomplish most of the pending projects.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Able to support the kids education is the biggest difference in my life. Most of the time they were always sent home for school fees something that bothered me a lot as their parents. In addition, I was able to complete the electric wiring of my house. Previous, my kids lacked electricity in their room something that makes them not to undertake their night studies which affected their performance.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer support for my kid's education. I am having two kid who are in secondary school, and providing for their education has been the biggest challenge for me since am jobless. After receiving the transfer, I spent KES 22000 to clear their fees arrears and I am happy that my kids have resumed their studies and are learning with disturbances. I also spent KES 17000 to complete doing wiring to my house, I had electricity but I had not done the wiring. I bought the required materials and paid the labor cost. I also spent KES 5000 to check for medical care for my third child who had teeth issues and required a screening. With the remaining amount, I boost my grocery business by adding more stock.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I used to run a cafe but I was forced to close it after getting complicated pregnancy. I delivered a preterm baby. Since most of the capital was spent on my medication, I have not been able to get enough money for reopening it. My husband, who works as a taxi driver brings home KSH 2 000 per month which cannot afford to take care of all my family needs. It has been my desire to help him in catering for some of the basic needs but in vain. I will be happy to receive this transfers for they will help me reopen my business. I will spend about 10 000 KES for the initial stock as I purpose to gradually expand it.
What is the happiest part of your day?
At the sixth month of gestation, I was recommended for a caesarian session due to complications. The baby was born with several health difficulties including breathing problems which led us to and off hospitals. One month ago, I received support from a charitable organization to take her for advance scrutiny and medication. Am now happy. The baby is fully recovered.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Spending a whole day figuring out what to do has been the genesis of my sorrowful life. Am an industrious woman. Reflecting on the days I used to work, I could not fully rely on my husband for the supplication of every need.Today, this is not the case. I look at myself and feel like I beg too much. I have for several times gone hungry without telling my husband because I pity his struggle and the little money he gets is enough to cover a fraction of the family's basic needs. This has led my life to be unenjoyable.