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 > Kahindi's Profile
Kahindi's family
Kahindi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Student
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kahindi's next check-in.
 
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I tap coconut wine. This is a business many of us in the village engage in. It is not as lucrative as it was years before. I have a child on the way as I have impregnated a lady I was living with and this means my responsibilities will be more. I hope to use this transfers in the new year to start a vegetable stall which will make enough income to provide for my child as well as myself.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After a long drought we experienced the long rains. It was a blessing but to me it came with a great loss. My mad house was washed down and was falling apart. I used all my November and October transfers to repair the house. I bought building poles and sticks and paid the Mason to come and work on the house. The work was not fully finished but the house was improved greatly. In December I encountered a misfortune which led to using this transfers to take care of this misfortune. I was arrested in December and I was asked to pay bond to be released. I used the transfers as well as selling my property to raise the total of $500 that was my bond so I could be released.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 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?
My goal of achieving financial independence involves expanding my poultry enterprise by acquiring more chickens. By increasing the number of hens in my flock, I anticipate a significant boost in income from the sale of eggs and mature hens. This venture holds great potential for long-term financial stability. In addition to poultry farming, I plan to embark on a new business venture in the village, specifically selling vegetables. Although I had previously attempted a similar venture that unfortunately failed due to insufficient funds to replenish my stock, I am determined to learn from past mistakes and ensure the success of this new endeavor. Building upon my experiences, I am confident that this vegetable business will thrive, contributing further to my financial stability.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After misplacing my previous phone, I utilized my August transfers to purchase a new phone worth $20. Owning a phone greatly simplifies my life, enabling me to stay connected with my family and friends who provide support during challenging times. The financial assistance from the transfers has made it possible for me to acquire this essential device. In addition to acquiring the phone, I allocated $10 towards purchasing food to ensure my family's nourishment. Given the financial constraints we face at home, I was unable to continue my driving course due to the lack of funds for the required fees. Nevertheless, I remain optimistic that I can resume the course in October after accumulating enough savings from subsequent transfers. To make a wise investment, I utilized the remaining $4 to purchase a chicken. This hen holds promising potential as it will soon multiply, allowing me to sell both eggs and additional hens for income generation. This investment will contribute to improving my financial situation, offering a sustainable source of revenue. I am immensely grateful for the ongoing financial support I have received. It has played a vital role in facilitating positive changes in my life. From acquiring a new phone for improved communication to ensuring my family's well-being through food provisions, the assistance has been truly transformative.
 
13th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 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?
Though I have had several goals, I have singled out to pursue a driving course this year. It is a work in progress, and I hope to accomplish it before the year ends. I consider undertaking this course because it will help me acquire skills that can help to secure a job in a transport company. As a result, I will have an opportunity to work and supplement our household's income. Since it is the first course I have taken since completing my primary education, I am looking forward to its completion.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Our region has been experiencing a prolonged drought for months. I always use any income, including wages and other support to buy food. So when I got my most recent transfers, I put them all on foodstuff. That has kept our family up despite the famine we experienced. Even though I have both parents, they are overburdened by the demands of the family. They often receive cash assistance from my siblings and me to help alleviate the issue. Four of the eight family members consistently get the transfer, and by pooling our resources, our living condition has significantly improved.
 
9th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I completed my primary level of education, but I couldn't further my studies to join high school since my parents could not afford the school fees. Since then, I have been surviving on menial jobs, and my dream was to enroll in a technical college to at least gain some skills that can help me secure a better job. I have been spending the transfers on paying the tuition fees. I am grateful to Give Directly because through the monthly transfers, I am currently undertaking a six-month driving course, of which I'm in my third month. I am glad that once I complete this course, I can be employed to work as a driver, have a good source of income, and also support my siblings. If not for the support, it would have been difficult for me to raise the required fees, thus taking years to enroll in this course.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I hail from a poverty-stricken family since both my parents do not have a source of income. They rely on subsistence farming from which the crops harvested can only be used as food. This situation always pushes me to work harder towards raising money that helps me do some short courses and training. So when I confirmed my recent transfer, I spent KES 3,000 on paying for my driving course since I had arrears of KES 5,000. I am progressing well with it. I am hopeful I shall complete it by the end of September 2022 before I enroll in another course.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly has done extremely well through its cash donation projects, and the experience I get as a recipient every time I call in and get to interact with the call center agents. Through the organization, the villagers, myself included, have been more hopeful in life. Our finances have been boosted and we can now work on our dreams. Outside of this, I have not encountered any bad experiences from the organization.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After finishing class eight, I couldn't continue with my studies as my peasant parents couldn't afford to put my two siblings and I through school. To help out my father (who practices pastoral farming) with the bills, I started working as a traditional wine brewer. This earned too little to cover my fees. When I got to hear about give directly, I thought of starting a career in driving heavy-duty vehicles. This will earn me more to enable me to continue with my studies. I, therefore, plan on joining a driving school. Since I have zero experience in driving, plus it is costly (KES15000) to train for heavy-duty trucks, I will start with small cars. To gather the KES 7000 fee, I saved KES 2000 and used KES 1000 for our food budget. 
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the message confirming that I had received my transfer at around 10 am. My brother and I were on our way back home from herding livestock. On the way, we met a friend who delivered to us the good news that he had received his transfer earlier on and was on his way to the Mpesa shop to withdraw the money. I became restless and hurriedly walked back home. I quickly borrowed my brother’s phone, inserted my sim card, and a few seconds the Mpesa message pop-up confirming that I too had received my transfer. For a moment, I remained static while smiling from ear to ear. I felt thrilled and shared the news with other members of the family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being able to repair my house using the transfer is the biggest difference in my life. Since I am still a student, I have no means of income; meaning I depend fully on my parents for survival. My father, who earns very little from raring livestock, could not save any money to help me repair the house. I have been sleeping in that house for the past two weeks, worried the house will come crashing down on me and destroy my valuable property. Since I did the repairs, I have had peace of mind and sleep every day, having no fears.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a student who recently completed the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, passed with flying colors and I am now waiting to join secondary school later this year. I depend on my father, who is paid for raising livestock for other people to cater to my essential needs (food and school fees). The poor living conditions at home are my motivating factor for working hard in school. I have endured lots of hardship through my 9 years in primary school, which includes going to school barefoot and with a worn-out school uniform. My hard work and discipline have finally paid off and I am looking forward to an exciting journey as I begin my secondary school education. When I received my transfer, I spent KES 2000 buying a new cell phone for myself. The phone I was using previously got damaged and to ensure that I keep in touch with GiveDirectly, friends, and relatives with ease, I bought a new one. Besides buying the phone, I spent the remaining KES 1000 to buy poles to repair my house. The poles used in building the house are rotten, hence making it unsafe to live in, as it might collapse at any time.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am still a student, therefore, I will use 1,500KES every term to pay my school fees. This will relieve my father of some financial burden. I also wish to get medical attention because I hurt my knee during a football match in the past year. It has been giving me trouble and that has greatly affected my quality of life as I can't walk long distances without experiencing pain. I like playing football but nowadays, I cannot be at it for more than 30 minutes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Over the school holiday, I engaged in casual jobs like Palm wine tapping and fetching water for our neighbors. The money I made enabled me to buy two chicken and two goats that I'm rearing for resale, hopefully during the Christmas season.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I would say that lack of school fees is my greatest challenge at the moment. My father is a farmer but the proceeds he gets from selling milk in the village are not enough to cater for our needs. I get sent home for school fees a lot of times and this has dragged my completion of primary school.