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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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Completed
Newsfeed > Riziki's Profile
Riziki's family
Riziki
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
38
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($393 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?
Food, shelter, and clothing are the three basic needs we all hope to have in our families. Of all the three, better housing is the biggest challenge for my family of nine. Currently, we live in a one-room house that often leaks when it rains, and I have to move my belongings to avoid them being rained on. My children have also suffered respiratory diseases due to the unfavourable living conditions, which have cost me a financial fortune. Therefore, to improve the living standards of my family, I hope to construct a two-room, iron-roofed house using the bricks that I am currently manufacturing. I am hopeful that my family's health standards will improve, and I also hope to open up a grocery business to support them. I plan on using $50 as capital to initiate this business at Matano Manne Center and expanding as time goes by, thus improving my financial standard.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
When I look at my life, I cannot help but smile, all courtesy of GiveDirectly. I am excited that my financial status has been restored and that most of my life plans have been accomplished. For example, my children's education has been provided for, a house has been built, and my children's health has improved. GiveDirectly uplifts the lives of individuals by lifting them out of poverty and restoring their financial stability. Therefore, I never wish for them to change their mode of operation but rather continue as they always do.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Better education for my children would always be at the top of my wish list. When I received the transfers, I prioritized paying $160 for the children in primary school and $120 in school fees for my daughter with special needs so that she does not feel out of place. Previously, I was not able to do so because of the constant financial insecurities that my family of nine has been experiencing. As a family, we depend on casual jobs such as weeding and washing clothes in the neighborhood to earn $3 a day. However, this job is scarce, and we have to walk long distances in search of it or, better yet, stay without income on days when we do not get any. In addition, I spent $30 on food, $30 on a school uniform, and $100 on medication for my grandchild, who had been ailing from stomach complications. I am glad that she is now well, as she can sit upright like other children her age. Since I also want to construct a house for my family, I used $100 to manufacture bricks.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I can recall that I was at home preparing lunch for my family. I heard my phone ring, and upon checking, I realised that I had received money from GiveDirectly. The immense joy that I felt was unexplainable. I immediately called my helper and husband and broke the good news to them. They were equally happy. Thereafter, we embarked on planning how we would use our transfer now that we had cash at hand.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life today is that we have a water supply sufficient for all our needs. Secondly, I am a fulfilled parent because I was able to clear the school fees areas for my children. it had accumulated because of my unreliable source of living. The support has changed my living status for the better. I am forever indebted to GiveDirectly for putting a smile on our faces.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Buying water for our daily consumption was too expensive and cumbersome for me, this is because I dont have a stable source of income. I have a bigger family and the place was far. I am a farmer and additionally do casual jobs to earn an income, on the other side my husband is a mason. Together, We have eight children. When we got our transfers, my key priority was to ensure that I connect tap water where I used $140 and thereafter paid school fees arrears for my children worth $160. Afterwards, I used $50 on my son's medication and later saved $100 so that I would build a house once I receive my second transfer. All this was not possible due to financial constraints. I am so grateful and contented to have achieved a lot.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Take a look at my house, do not you think I need a better place to stay? I sleep in a house with one room that can only accommodate my husband and me. My children have to sleep with their cousins because I have not been able to build a different structure for them. I desire to build a house with two rooms, one room for my three daughters and the other for my two sons. It will give me great joy once I see the house complete and my children have a house to call their own. $500 is all I need to make this dream come true. Once I have achieved this, I will be in a better place to carry out other activities like putting up a water point in our compound and maybe acquiring a goat or two.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It feels good to be a parent and to have your children supporting you financially. It makes me happy when I see them prosper in their various jobs and once in a while assist me when finances are tight. They give me a sense of living.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The scarcity of food is my major challenge. The drought is affecting everyone but I think some people are receiving the heat more than others. As we talk, I have not eaten anything for the past two days, today I am hopeful I might because one organization is in the village handing out food. How I wish that the heavens would open up and we would receive rain.