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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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Completed
Newsfeed > Riziki's Profile
Riziki's family
Riziki
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
40
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($475 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before receiving this transfer I had already set my goal of starting an income generating project though I hadn’t decided what kind of a project I was going to do. There were so many ideas though they required huge amount of money but I decided to cut my coat depending on the size of the cloth, hence I settled on a shop business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done us good. I will not be mean to talk only on my behalf because its impact is felt everywhere our village. The organization has made us construct good houses, buy livestock as well as starting different businesses depending on one’s area of interest. Currently I can’t pinpoint any fault that GiveDirectly should rectify but I am urging the organization to proceed the way it does its work and at any cost it should not collaborate with the government or political parties lest it will collapse.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On receiving the second transfer, before venturing into the business I decided to settle some emerging issues that had cropped up. My children had been sent home from school due school fees, so I settled the fees for them to continue with their studies in school. Thereafter, I invested the remaining amount into the shop business where I am selling fast moving basic items such as maize flour, rice, cooking oil some relish, washing and bathing soaps and other personal effects items. The reason for coming up with this kind of business is that, it is a fast profit making business since the items I am selling are in demand on daily basis. This business is a source of income for my family and it will assist me to manage the things which were giving me sleepless nights such us food and school fees among other family needs.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($507 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was happiness all over when I first realized that the notification message on my phone was from GiveDirectly, and the promised amount was already in my account. It was early in the morning, every family member was still at home. On informing them, everyone was so excited that we celebrated as we thank God for that great provision.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life after receiving the transfer is the installation of a solar, battery, and complete wiring of the house to provide enough illumination. It has been so dark previously but the brightness we currently have is so appealing that my children enjoy reading under it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the first transfer, I spent part of it on the purchase of a solar panel and a complete lighting system. I had been using an old tin lamp which was emitting a lot of fumes that were not healthy for the kids. I also used 4320KES on school fees payment, complete the construction of the house we had been living in by obtaining and fixing a new door with 2500KES. With the remaining 21000KES, I spent on purchasing construction poles, and other materials that I am currently using in the new construction of my children's house.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Food security has been a challenge to me for such a long time. Receiving this money means I will be able to buy two oxen and a plough at a cost of 300 USD. This will help me till more land so as to increase crop yield. I have a four acre piece of land but using a hoe to plough limits me to just ploughing 2 acres. Increased crop production will ensure that enough to feed my family and surplus for sale.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am usually very busy during the day. During the rainy season ,I spend most of my time in the farm while I do casual jobs during other seasons. Evening hours find me very exhausted but what makes me happy is seeing what I have achieved during the day. I spend the evening hours reflecting how my day was and sharing good time with my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship in life has been striving to get a stable source of income. I used to do casual jobs away from home but balancing between work and family life while earning less posed a big challenge. I now depend on farming but the dry climatic conditions and poor farming methods have limited the income I get. This is why I plan to buy two oxen and a plough to till more land and just hope that the rains will not fail me.