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.
Toyoi's family
access_time 6 hours ago
Toyoi enrolled.
"In my old age, I am not able to fend for myself and have to rely on other people to provide for me. As a result, I sometimes sleep hungry when I don't find any help. This really makes me sad. I am however grateful because my children provide for me despite the hard economic times they are also facing."
Sammy's family
access_time 20 hours ago
Sammy received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"I work as a mechanic in Mombasa, but my limited earnings make it challenging to support my family. I rely on my GiveDirectly transfers alongside my job income to help cover rent, purchase food, and care for my loved ones. Due to my financial circumstances, I need to explore additional ways to generate income. I've been considering animal husbandry to increase my earnings. At present, I have 5 goats and around 20 chickens, which I can sell for extra cash during financial emergencies. In the upcoming year and beyond, I plan to invest more in goat farming. My goal is to acquire additional animals so they can breed and produce even more. This venture will provide me with financial security for the future, as I can sell the animals if I face any financial challenges to support my family."
Ndoko's family
access_time 21 hours ago
Ndoko received a $27 thirty-third payment.
"My primary goal is to attend college and study building and construction. With my parents out of work and relying on peasant farming, I’ve taken it upon myself to work hard in my second-hand clothing business to save for my college fees. I remain optimistic that I can reach this goal with the support from GiveDirectly. Once I've saved enough, I plan to pass my business on to my sister, who has finished high school but hasn’t found a way to enroll in college despite her passing grades. After I complete my course, I intend to help her with her college education."
Kazungu's family
access_time 21 hours ago
Kazungu received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"My goal is to build my own house within the next year and beyond. I've already purchased iron sheets, building poles, and some essential materials, which is a positive step forward. I just need a few more items to kick off the construction. My plan is to use my transfers to buy all the necessary materials and start the building as soon as possible. Right now, I'm in college pursuing a mechanics course, and I hope to finish in about a year. I also need to acquire some equipment to set up my workshop. Therefore, my plans include completing the construction of my house before using my transfers to invest in these tools. Ultimately, I aim to be employed for a while to save up for my own garage."
Linah's family
access_time 21 hours ago
Linah received a $348 second payment.
"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I prioritized paying off the school fees arrears for my three children in secondary school, which cost me $200. Education is very important to me, and I didn’t want them to miss any more classes due to unpaid fees. Clearing their balances brought me a huge sense of relief, knowing they could now focus fully on their studies without the worry of being sent home. I also spent $100 to replace my bed and mattress, which were destroyed by floods. For months, I’d been sleeping on sacks and mats, and finally having a proper bed again felt like a return to dignity and comfort. It was a long-awaited change, and I’m grateful to have a place to sleep that provides me with proper rest. With the remaining money, I bought household essentials, including two bags of maize to ensure my family had enough food. Food security has been a constant concern, so securing this supply was a top priority. I also set aside a small amount for emergencies or additional food needs that may arise. This support has truly helped me stabilize my household and provide a better environment for my family."
Silvia's family
access_time 24 hours ago
Silvia enrolled.
"I am currently facing a challenge in providing for my family of seven. I work as a house manager for a neighbor, earning KES 4000 a month. While I use this money to buy food, it is often not enough. Sometimes, I have to take goods on credit from shops, hoping my husband can repay them through his driving job. With schools closing soon, I am worried because I will have to pause my job since my employer will be home full-time. This adds even more stress to an already difficult situation because there will be no salary for those days. For this period , I will reinvest in my tailoring business so as to earn an income from repairing clothes."
Priscilla's family
access_time 1 day ago
Priscilla received a $154 initial payment.
"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I immediately focused on my family's most pressing need: food. Where I live, crops do not grow well, so we rely heavily on buying our meals. With my unstable casual jobs, food insecurity has always been a challenge for my family. I spent $50 to buy food, and now we have enough to eat, which brings me great relief. After addressing our food needs, I used $130 to work on completing my house. I have been living in a borrowed home for seven years. While I didn’t have to pay rent, I longed for a place to call my own. Now, my house is almost complete, and I cannot thank GiveDirectly enough for helping me achieve this significant milestone. Owning a home is a dream come true for my family, and it has brought us a sense of stability and hope for the future."
Mercyline's family
access_time 1 day ago
Mercyline received a $348 second payment.
"What stood out for me with GiveDirectly is their openness and high level of integrity. This commitment ensured that every eligible individual in my village was enrolled without any political interference. I have not seen any loopholes in GiveDirectly's current programs, which gives me confidence in their operations. Their transparency and fairness have truly impressed me. Therefore, I have no recommendations for improvement; I believe they should continue doing what they are currently doing. This approach not only helps those in need but also builds trust within the community."
Sandra's family
access_time 1 day ago
Sandra received a $348 second payment.
"I was filled with happiness and gratitude when I received $450 from GiveDirectly. After careful planning with my husband, we decided to invest the money in livestock, as we saw this as a sustainable way to secure our future. I used $420 to buy seven goats. With my background as a livestock keeper, I understand how to care for them, and I know how profitable this venture can be. As the goats multiply, they will provide a reliable source of income that I can use to support our farming and meet other personal and household needs. With the remaining amount, I decided to boost my poultry business, which had suffered losses after recent floods washed away some of our chickens. I bought 15 young chicks with the money, planning to raise them for egg and meat production. This addition to our income sources will allow me to pay school fees and buy food for my family without depending solely on my husband. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I now feel more secure and empowered to meet our family's needs."
Dama's family
access_time 1 day ago
Dama received a $27 thirty-third payment.
"With the current drought and hunger affecting our region, I plan to continue using a portion of my transfers to buy food and water to keep my family from going hungry until this dry spell is over. Water has become very scarce, and we have to pay motorcycle transporters to travel long distances to bring us water, which is quite costly. Once the rains return and we have enough water and food from our farms, my focus will then shift toward investing in goats, as well as more ducks and chicken. I hope that these animals will multiply over time, increasing both in number and value. These will be a valuable asset and will provide me with a reliable resource to support my family, especially once this program ends."