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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Francis's Profile
Francis's family
Francis
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Carpentry
faceAge:
60
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
check
 
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($425 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
attach_money
 
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Two years ago, my house collapsed after heavy rainfall because it was weak and couldn't withstand the weather. Fortunately, I had built a small kitchen separately, which was not affected by the collapse. I moved into the kitchen to save money to build a new house, rather than seeking refuge with neighbors. I work as a mason in the village, but sometimes struggled to find work, making it difficult to save for a new house. On top of that, three of my children had started high school, adding to my expenses. I almost gave up on my dream of building a new house, considering all the other needs that required my attention. However, I'm grateful for the help from GiveDirectly, which has given me hope again. When I received the funds, I used most of it to buy building materials like iron sheets, nails, and poles. I'm currently in the process of building a new house for myself and my children, which will provide us with proper shelter after spending years sleeping in the small kitchen. Additionally, I was able to pay school fees for my six children, amounting to $120, with three in high school and the rest in primary school. I can now relax knowing that I've taken care of my children's education expenses, allowing them to continue their studies without interruptions. Lastly, I also purchased food and household items that we needed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest challenge I have been facing for the past two years is the lack of proper shelter. My house collapsed due to heavy rains and I couldn't afford to build a new one right away. Since then, I have been staying in my partially affected small kitchen, which was still stable. I have tried to save money to build a new house, but my work as a mason is not always reliable. There were times when I couldn't find work for a while, making it difficult to support my family and pay for my children's education. When I joined the program, it reignited my goal of building a new, spacious house. With the first transfer, I was able to buy iron sheets, nails, and building poles, and I am now in the process of constructing the new house. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for helping me turn this dream into reality. Thanks to their support, my children are now able to attend school without interruptions, as their fees have been paid on time.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just finished my masonry job in the evening and was preparing to leave the construction site when I got a message on my phone. I was very tired and all I needed was a good evening's rest after the day's work. I was hesitant to read the message, but when I finally checked my inbox, I could not hold back the joy that I felt upon realizing that it was an M-Pesa notification. I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, and I could not wait to disclose the good news to my wife. I have been grappling with a lack of a better shelter for quite some years, and all I wanted was a new shelter. This was an opportunity for me to accomplish this!
 
Enrolled
access_time 9 months ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I live in a one room house which also serves as the kitchen together with my wife. Children have a separate structure though it is not spacious. It has one room. I cannot even accommodate my visitors. Most of the time I seek shelter from neighbors so as to accommodate my visitors whenever they come.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My family and I have never gone to the hospital for the past six months. This is something that makes me happy despite being poor. My neighbors have been to the hospital almost every week. I am happy to be alive and healthy together with my family.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of eight members with six being children. I do casual jobs making little income which caters for food and school fees for the children. I live in a small one room house with my wife which also serves as the kitchen. I cannot even accommodate my visitors. I will use $5500 to build a two room house spacious enough to accommodate the family and also visitors. I will also use $300 to clear school fees for the children who are at both secondary and primary. This will help them settle at school and improve their performances.