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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Kahindi's Profile
Kahindi's family
Kahindi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Raising livestock
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kahindi's next check-in.
 
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 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?
In the coming months, I intend to utilize my subsequent transfers to fulfill the monthly installments for the solar panel. This will allow me to become the rightful owner of the solar panel and lighting system, without any disruptions. Moreover, I plan to continue improving the condition of my house to prevent any future collapses. I am sincerely grateful for the ongoing transfers, as they have positively impacted my life in numerous ways.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Two months ago, as the rainy season commenced, my mud-walled house began to deteriorate. The constant rain caused the mud covering the walls to erode, leaving behind significant holes. To address this issue, I allocated $34 to purchase cement and hired a skilled mason who successfully repaired the walls. Furthermore, I decided to invest in sustainable lighting by acquiring a solar panel through a hire purchase arrangement. This investment has significantly improved the illumination within my house. To acquire the solar panel and lights, I combined $34 from the transfers with some of my previous savings. With $15, I purchased three hens, considering them a valuable long-term investment as they will breed and increase my initial investment. Additionally, I allocated $19 towards purchasing food, ensuring that I never had to go to bed on an empty stomach. The financial support I have received through these transfers has brought me immense gratitude and happiness.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Due to the ongoing rains, my mud-walled house was leaning on one side, as they are susceptible to rainfall. Over the past few months, I hired someone to construct concrete pillars on the corners and reinforce the foundation of the walls. I am pleased with the progress as the structure now appears more stable. However, the work is not yet complete, as the foundation still needs attention. This is my priority until the end of the year. Once that is done, I plan to invest in more livestock to expand my two-cow herd. Specifically, I aim to start with chickens as they are more affordable and breed at a faster rate. Owning livestock will provide a stable source of wealth, and I can sell these animals to acquire funds for my needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being an elderly widower, there are occasions when I require assistance with certain tasks. However, out of respect for my daughter-in-law, I hesitate to ask for her help unless I had a wife. Simple things like preparing a cup of tea or a quick meal would be easier if I had a partner. Cooking for myself using firewood was a challenge until I decided to invest in a gas cylinder, which made the process much simpler. When I received the cash transfer, the cylinder needed to be refilled, and I spent $14 to do so. I am relieved that I won't have to worry about refilling it for the next eight to nine months. The remaining $20 was used to purchase food for the family. I am grateful that through the cash transfers, I can contribute to our household needs and not solely rely on my son, who depends on casual jobs to provide for his own family and me.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 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?
When I first received the cash transfers, I spent most of it on building a concrete pillar around the walls of my house to reinforce it. However, due to pressing financial obligations like food, I was not able to channel every amount toward the renovation of the structure, which left one side of the wall unattended. My prayer is to conclude this project withing the next year so that I can start looking at other things like securing goats and more chickens for rearing. 
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to the drought that has impaired crop farming in my region, I am forced to buy food and water, which is becoming expensive as commodity prices are rising. My job of weaving mats and baskets is also affected as the materials, such as palm leaves dried out from lack of rain. To be honest, if it were not for the cash transfers, I would have been malnourished from hunger;  am relieved that Give Directly brought the financial aid. When I received the recent cash transfers, my household had run out of food for the previous day, and I spent $28 on buying maize flour and water. Although the food did not serve my family until the end of the month, am glad that we enjoyed regular meals for the first few days. I used the remaining $6 to buy two chickens for rearing. As these chickens breed, I can easily sell them to purchase food and ensure that my family enjoys regular meals. 
 
10th 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?
For the longest time I've really wanted to renovate my house especially the foundation and the pillars since it is a mud house and the foundation is not quite great after it was swept away with rain. Therefore upon receiving the transaction I paid KES 700 to a mason for him to start fixing up my house gradually. I then proceeded to use the balance of KES 2,300 in ensuring that I looked into nourishment for my family and I since it was quite a challenge with the ongoing drought. I ended up acquiring five packets of maize flour, a kilogram of beans and sugar respectively, groceries and lastly drinking water because it was scarce and another problem.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent all the KES 3000 from my transfer to buy a wooden door for my house. The previous door in my house was made of iron sheets and had gigantic holes. I always feared someone would break into my house and steal my property because of the weak door. Fixing the wooden door has reinforced the security, and I feel safe living in the house.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well in upgrading people's livelihoods through the monthly payments. My life has changed for the better as a result of GiveDirectly transfers; I no longer worry about hunger. Everyone in my village is praising the organization for positively impacting their financial lives. There is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on purchasing food for the family, clothes, livestock, and paying hospital bill. Specifically, I used KES 840 on seven packets of maize flour, KES 300 on two packets of wheat flour, KES 140 on a kilo of sugar, and KES 50 for tea leaves. Additionally, I acquired two pieces of clothes at KES 330, two chicken at KES 1000, and settled my hospital bill of KES 650.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was sitting under the tree in front of my house weaving a basket for sale. I heard my phone ring out loudly. It attracted my attention, and I immediately picked the phone and after checking I realized I had received a text message. I could not read the content and had to call my grandson, who was about to go back to school for his afternoon classes to help me out. He then informed me I had received my first transfer. The news thrilled me and later that evening; I sent my grandson to withdraw the money and buy the food.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money has made a big difference in my life. I have been wearing the same pair of shoes for the past six months. Because of my financial status, I could not buy myself a new pair. I spent the little I earned on food. That is how hard my life was, but I am now thankful that the transfer has made a big difference.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my first transfer of KSH 1200, I spent half of it to buy food. Being the sole bread winner in my family it has been tough for me to be able to provide for the family. Before we started experiencing the drought in our area, I harvested the maize and cassava that I grew and used some for food at home and sold some to earn money. Life was bearable at that time and we could afford to have three meals per day. It is very hard for me to be able to do so currently as the farm is unproductive. I have had to do manual jobs which are not on a daily basis with a pay of KSH 200 – 300 per day. The money is just enough to budget for one or two meals. Due to these financial struggles that I am experiencing I decided to spend the biggest part of the transfer to buy food. In addition to the food I spent KSH 300 to buy a chicken. The main reason for buying the chicken was to ensure that I had chicken of my own. Previously my relatives would come to visit me and I would not have anything to offer them as a welcome gesture. This is the situation that drove my desire to buy and own the poultry. My plan is to buy more chicken and rear them sell some and also gift relatives who visit me at home. Besides buying the food and chicken I bought myself a new pair of shoes. The ones I had were worn out and badly torn.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am 75 years old and I barely have anything to do all day. I believe I still have some little energy to walk around, therefore, with these transfers, I can buy some chicken and goats to rear so that I stop getting bored and lonely seeing as my wife passed on, my children are all grown and living seperately. I need something to occupy my mind but in the past, I did not have money to afford livestock or poultry. The first five months of the transfer will be used to save a total of 8,000KES towards the same.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Whenever I get the government funds, I am really relieved because I get to at least take my favorite meal that is rice and chicken, also have some tea that I really like but cannot afford on a daily basis. Although I don't get the funds every so often, when I received it on the month of August, I had a really nice meal that was made by my son's wife and we shared happily.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
With my old age, I do not have a job neither can I go out to look for casual jobs in order to make a living. The government gives me some money for upkeep but they do not send it consistently and when the do, it is only enough for some food because they offer 2,000KES. This money from Give Directly will give me some leverage and I'll be able to get livestock that will keep me busy and also peace of mind for the next 5 years and hopefully beyond.