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 > Karisa's Profile
Karisa's family
Karisa
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
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Follow to be updated on Karisa's next check-in.
 
29th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 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?
In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to acquire more goats. Increasing my herd will provide a valuable safety net in case of any financial emergencies. I plan to use my savings along with upcoming transfers to achieve this. Having a reliable source of income from my goats will bring me great peace of mind and satisfaction. I am genuinely grateful for the progress I have made, all thanks to the support from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I operate a boda boda taxi to support myself and provide for my child. It has been a constant struggle due to my limited income. However, since I started receiving these transfers, I have noticed a positive change in my life. I have been able to start a goat-rearing business and am now looking forward to building my own house in the future. I am pleased to say that I have already begun the construction process. From the transfers, I purchased building poles for $68 to start building my house, as I currently live in a small space and want to build something bigger. I saved $20 to pay the builder and used the remaining funds to buy food, as I had none. I am grateful for the positive changes these transfers have brought to my life.
 
26th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 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?
My primary focus in the upcoming months and beyond is to procure all the necessary materials for constructing my new home. Having secured the 18 iron sheets required for the roof, my next goal is to save up for the purchase of building poles. Once I've accumulated all the necessary poles, I'll embark on the construction of the house. The completion of this project will mark the end of enduring the hardships of being exposed to rain whenever it falls. I am immensely thankful for the financial support I've received from the transfers, as it has been instrumental in realizing my most significant aspiration of owning a comfortable and secure home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Recognizing the dire condition of my house, especially its leaking roof, I decided to take action. Utilizing a short-term solution of covering the roof with a polythene bag proved ineffective, prompting me to allocate funds towards purchasing new building materials for a new house. I earmarked $60 for the acquisition of two pieces of iron sheets, a step towards addressing the structural issues. Gratefully, I've managed to procure a total of 18 iron sheets thus far, sufficient to cover the entire roof of the new dwelling I intend to construct. With the remaining $42, I opted to allocate it entirely to purchasing food, ensuring that my family's nutritional needs are met. As a casual laborer, relying on income from motorcycle taxi services, generating sufficient funds for essential needs, let alone house construction, has been challenging. Daily earnings have dwindled from $5 to a mere $2, exacerbating financial strain and impeding savings. However, the financial aid from Give Directly offers a beacon of hope, instilling confidence in my ability to realize the dream of a secure and comfortable home.
 
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As I said I started saving to build a new house in April. I now have enough money to buy iron sheets which is about $120. I am now saving for the building poles I need to finish with the construction. I had married but my wife left due to a disagreement hence I am left alone. I am building a one roomed house which will be made out of mud and iron sheets. I know this will be a big upgrade from my paper roof house and will withstand the harsh weather conditions that we have been experiencing lately.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since April I made a decision to save $20 per month. I have one of those old houses with a paper roof, this house is not in the best state and this is what led me to make this decision. The remaining $14 left from each month was distributed for different needs within the home. In September I used $5 for clothes and $9 for food. In October I spent $8 to buy two chicken and used $6 to buy food. In November I added one more chicken at $5 and contributed $5 to a wedding that was happening at our home and used $4 for food.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 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 upcoming year, my primary goal is to ensure that my house is prepared and ready for my family to move in, providing them with a safe and comfortable living environment. This accomplishment holds great significance for me, as it will contribute to their well-being and happiness. In addition to focusing on the house, I also intend to invest my monthly transfer in acquiring livestock. This investment serves as a valuable backup plan in case of financial difficulties. If the need arises, I can sell some of the livestock and utilize the proceeds to meet our needs and sustain our livelihood. I am sincerely grateful for the financial support provided by Give Directly. Their assistance has played a crucial role in enabling me to work towards these goals and improve the lives of my family. Their continued support is deeply appreciated.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since February last year, my house has been in a deteriorated state, with sections of the roof covered in hard polythene paper. This has presented a significant challenge, particularly during rainfall, as water seeps inside the house. As a motorcycle taxi driver, my income is insufficient to allow me to construct a better home for my family. However, thanks to the financial transfers, I have been able to save a small amount of money each month. As a result, I have managed to purchase twelve pieces of iron sheets, which will be adequate to cover the roof of my new house. In the month of August, I utilized my entire transfer to acquire additional iron sheets. Now, my focus is on procuring building poles and other essential materials to commence the construction of the house at the earliest opportunity. I am immensely grateful for the crucial financial support that has assisted me in navigating through challenging situations when my income is insufficient. This assistance has been invaluable in my efforts to improve the living conditions for my family.
 
13th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 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?
I want to build a house for myself this year. I have a one-room house with a thatched roof with plastic. I want to get an iron-roof house using these transfers. As I had mentioned I am using some of my transfers to buy materials for the building to have most of it by end of this year and complete construction. I work as a herder and make about $9 which on its own cannot ensure the house is completed. My thatched roof is old and is leaking and this is making me try to rush the building process. I hope by the end of this year I will have a habitable house,
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
GD transfers have been a source of joy for me. I have been alternating my spending since receiving my first transfer on my transfer usage. I use some months' transfers on buying building materials while other months I use the transfers on buying animals. In January I spent $36 on buying a goat and I added $6 to afford it, I used the $4 from the transfers on getting food for my family. In February I spent $30 to buy 3 sheets of iron that I want to use in my construction. I also bought sanitary items such as soap and food such as vegetables for $4. This month I spent $15 on buying 5 chicken, bought myself some clothes for $5 and I also bought maize flour worth $4, and spent $2 on vegetables. I still have about $7 which I am using for needs as they arise.
 
9th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time almost 2 years 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 to renovate my house. Currently, the iron sheets are very old and leak profusely during the rainy season. Apart from the renovation, I would like to start livestock farming as an investment. To achieve these two goals, I made an alternating plan for the transfers. This year, I will be spending $30 in all the even number months, specifically for the livestock and I save $20 in all the prime number months for the roof renovation. The house requires 12 pieces of iron sheets and I am pretty sure that by the end of the year, I will be having $120 which can facilitate that since an iron sheet goes for $9. And for the investment, I will also have a good number of goats since I buy a goat in every even number month. After this, the long-term plan is to convert the goats into cows. This is the dream investment I am planning for.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
his year, my house fell at some point, and I haven't been able to build another one again. Since that time, I've been living with a friend who also provides me housing. I provide taxi services on a motorcycle, but my earnings are modest, making it difficult for me to build a new home. I've been putting aside money for building supplies for a new house for the past three months, and I currently have $60 in a bank account. I am eager to be a house owner so that I can live independently. I purchased enough food with the remaining $34 to last us for a while.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We are three people in my family, and I am the breadwinner. I operate a motorcycle taxi business which has been sustaining our needs. This being the only source of income, it has been challenging to raise money for investing in other projects to improve our household income. Therefore, for the past three months, I have used KES 6000 to purchase foodstuffs for my household. This has enabled me to save some money from my business. KES 3000 I used to purchase a goat to rear for business purposes. I am thankful for the support because it has relieved me of the financial burden and at least I can currently have some savings.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The unconditional funds have really boosted a lot of lives including my own. I had not envisioned renovating my house this soon and getting to marry again, but I am now optimistic that my life will take a turn in the right direction.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the KES 3000 has brought much joy and relief on my end. I was earlier married to one wife and together we were blessed with one child but due to the tough economic times, we parted ways and I moved back to my parents’ house where I reside together with my siblings. I am employed as a motorcycle taxi rider and that is how I make some small income to sustain myself. As a kind gesture to help my parents support the whole family, I bought food worth KES 1000 to last us a period of two weeks. The remaining amount of KES 2000, I bought one goat which I rare in our homestead.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in a different town (Mariakani), going about my daily duties as a motorcyclist when I received the funds. My mood was brightened with the excitement I had. To avoid misusing the funds, I saw it best to plan first. Since my areas of need were buying new clothes and purchasing food. That evening after work, I used 25% of the funds to buy myself some clothes. This is so I could replace the torn old clothes I had
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had gone for two days without a meal on the table. Other than this, my wardrobe lacks decent clothing. This is because, as a motorcyclist, I barely make enough to meet all my needs. Often, with the little I get, I use it all for meals. Since I started receiving this money, I have seen a great difference. Now I have new clothes that I can use to go about my daily duties confidently plus I was able to buy myself some food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I come from a humble background, where the only need we focus on is having a meal. This also does not come easy. In the compound I live in, I have my father and grandmother who sometimes depend on me. The earnings I get as a motorcyclist are KES 300 on good days and on bad days I never get to earn. When I got this money, I had not been lucky at work for about a week, and for two days, I had gone without food. So, I used KES 900 to buy some nourishments, and the remaining KES 300 I used to buy some clothes for myself. This is so I could replace the old ragged ones I had that crushed my self-esteem.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I would like to build a house when I get this money or maybe repair the one I have. I'm currently living in a house that is not in a good condition. During the last rainy season in December last year, two of its walls collapsed. This happens mostly because it doesn't have a proper roof. The roof is that of plastic sheets which is leaking a lot especially around the edges where outer walls are. In the long run I feel this will weaken every post in these walls and eventually they will be collapsing again.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was very happy during Christmas season last year because I got to be with family and exchange ideas. Some of my brothers even challenge me to try some new ventures like working towards purchasing my own bike. We had food in plenty and also big screens to view football.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My main challenge is lack of job opportunities here in the village. I was once employed in Mombasa as a shop attendant for one year, but things didn't work out. We disagreed over payment when I asked for a raise on top of 3000 KES I was earning. This is when I decided to came home about two years ago to look for some other things to do. I haven't been lucky so far just riding a motorcycle taxi which earns me about 200 KES a day after paying the bike's owner.