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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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Furaha's Profile
Furaha's family
Furaha
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Student
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Furaha's next check-in.
 
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Becoming a primary school teacher has been my aspiration since my childhood. Having completed secondary school last year, I am eager to pursue a teaching course. These transfers will not only support my educational journey but will also contribute to achieving this dream. I plan to utilize the proceeds from the sale of my goats and chickens to further support myself through the course. Realizing this dream is significant to me as it assures me of employment opportunities upon course completion. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to GiveDirectly for their unwavering support to me and my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am the fifth born in a family of twelve siblings, and life in the village has been challenging since the loss of my father sixteen years ago. My mother, burdened with the responsibility of caring for us, worked as a housemaid, but her income was insufficient to meet our needs. The impact of these transfers on my life has been profound; I have managed to acquire ten chickens and two goats. Allocating $18, I purchased much-needed clothes as my previous attire was worn out. Additionally, I invested $30 in acquiring a goat with plans to sell it in the future. Using $54, I purchased a mattress, alleviating the discomfort of sleeping on the floor, and I am grateful for the noticeable improvement in my living conditions. The impact of these transfers has genuinely changed my life, and I am pleased to be part of this positive journey.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I live in my father in-laws house with my family. This is one of the things that have really made it my mission to get my own house. I am buying animals, my goal is that as they reproduce and multiply I will be able to sell a number of them and build a house of my own. I also sleep ion a worn out mattress, my goal from my savings group is to make enough to replace my bed and mattress which are quite uncomfortable to sleep on.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a young family, myself my husband, and my child. My husband is a mechanic while I engage is some small scale farming. I also have a few animals that I started rearing as a result of the transfers. I have been able to increase the number further and even now own a goat thanks to this last three months transfer. I bought a goat at $30 in August and in September I got one chick at $5. I am also now a member of an informal savings group where I saved $20 in July and September. I was also able to by myself some shoes at $2 in August and in July due to the state of my current clothes and those of my child I used $10 to add a couple more clothes.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the moment, I do not have any formal engagement. I am always at home while my husband does a motorcycle taxi business. With continuous transfers, I aspire to raise goats and poultry. I consider livestock keeping an investment that I can look after when at home. In the long run, they can turn out to be more beneficial. The poultry will offer me both food and cash benefits if I sell some. I only have one goat now, although goats are valuable and can contribute to my well-being. They will help me post GD transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For my previous transfers, I have been saving some in a merry-go-round. For the past four months, I managed to save $30 with a goal of raising some money by the end of the year that will aid me in buying iron sheets for building a new house. At the moment, I do not have a house. I have been spending in my mother-in-law's house. My husband and I have been unable to build a house because we lack a job. The rest of the transfers I used to buy food for a family of 8 members. Since we stay together, we always contribute towards the budget. I shall be glad and more comfortable when I succeed in building my house.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 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?
Before the year ends I am hoping that I would have saved up enough money so that I can finally build my own house. Apart from that,I was also hoping that this money will allow me to finally enroll into college this year where I can learn to be a teacher. I also intend on using the money to buy a couple of new attire for myself and my kid because most of our old ones are worn out.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
since late last year I decided that I was going to save up a portion of the transfers that I receive each month because I wanted to finally build my own home after living with my mother in law for two years. That is why as soon as I got the chance to withdraw the funds I ended up depositing KES 2,000 in my savings account. Afterwards I proceeded to spend the remaining balance of KES 1,400 on nourishment by purchasing six packets of maize flour and two kilograms of beans since there was hardly any food left in the house.
 
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 joined a merry-go-round group that we started in our village and I have been saving $10 per month. My plan is to continue saving money to be able to start a goat-rearing project in the future. I have always wanted to start this but I did not have the money. Goats multiply faster since they reproduce twice per year. I spent $10 on purchasing food and water. Due to prolonged drought in the area, we purchase water for drinking and domestic use. The remaining amount of the money I spent on purchasing clothes and household items that we were missing. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has supported us in meeting all our basic needs.
 
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?
GiveDirectly, as an NGO, does an outstanding job of providing unconditional cash transfers to the less fortunate people of the community. Our burdens are lighter as a result of the transfer, and we can always afford food and start some development programs. As a result of the transfers, I was able to purchase new outfits, which I had previously been unable to do. This could not have been the case before GiveDirectly began its program in our community. There is nothing it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had not even changed my outfit in nearly 5 years due to my low income. As a result, I had little choice but to wear ragged and unpresentable garments. I decided to spend KES 1,200 on two sets of clothes after my recent transfer. I am very delighted that I now have at least a better dress to wear when I go somewhere far away from home. In addition, I made it easier for my husband to travel to a nearby town for a new job he had been offered. I gave him KES 1,500 in support. Finally, the remaining KES 300 was used to buy food for my family, as what we had at the time was hardly enough to last us two days. GiveDirectly has been quite helpful to me.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10.15pm when I heard a message tone and located my phone to check on the message. It was at that moment I realised I had received some money in my mpesa account .I was excited and couldn't hold back my joy but to share the news with my other family members who evidently congratulated me on the good news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The difference in my daily life since I received my transfer is the upgrade on my clothes that made me feel more confident about my self and not ashamed to mingle or visit my friends.I am no longer the talk of the village because of my torn and old clothes. My goal is to buy building materials every month and support my husband to have our own home.Currently my husband works in repairing motorcycle tyres and he makes atleast KES 50 per tyre which can barely afford a meal for our small family of three members and we have been forced to live the same house with my father in law.My goal is at the end of the support program am able to move to my own home which will earn my husband his respect from the village as a man.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been the laughing stock of the village from my torn old clothes.My self esteem was on the low because am ashamed of my looks as I have not been able to upgrade and have some new clothes for the longest time. On receiving the transfers ,I felt the need to change my wardrobe and atleast upgrade on my clothes .I spent KES 1000 and bought clothes for myself and my ten months old baby.I bought speaci porridge flour and sugar with the remaining cash of KES 170.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am planning to use my transfers to build a house. I was given a room at my father-in-law's house. Our culture forbids one sharing a structure with their in-laws. This has lowered my dignity and I feel like I do not fit in the society. I will construct a two-bedroom structure that is enough for our family of three. The house will cost me around 60,000 KES from the start to its completion ( this includes the cost of poles, iron sheets and labour).
What is the happiest part of your day?
My dreams were shattered when I realized that I am pregnant. I knew that I would never finish schooling and that was the end of me. I am grateful that my principal intervened and he singlehandedly took the responsibility of paying my school fees. I am happy that I was able to continue with my studies and right now I am in the middle of my secondary school exam.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Source of funds is my major challenge at the moment. I was forced to drop out of school because of early pregnancy. The husband for impregnated is me is a loafer. I was able to go back to school with the help of my principal who decided to sponsor my education. I am currently sitting for the ongoing secondary exam hoping that I will score well and be able to realize my dream of being teacher.