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.
Daniel's family
access_time 11 hours ago
Daniel received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to focus on building a better house for my family. I also want to boost my wife’s business, as it plays a crucial role in providing food for our family while I focus on other responsibilities. My current house is made of mud, and the walls have become weak over time. It is risky to stay there, as we fear it could collapse during a heavy downpour or strong winds. Unfortunately, we do not have an alternative at the moment, so we continue to live there. To achieve this goal, I plan to use part of my daily income from my motorbike taxi business, combined with my GiveDirectly income, to buy building materials. This time, I want to build a solid house with stone walls, as stones are easily accessible in our area. Once the house is complete, I will focus on expanding my wife’s business by adding more items and increasing the quantity of existing goods, ensuring she has enough stock to attract more customers."
Veronica's family
access_time 11 hours ago
Veronica received a $27 thirty-fourth payment.
"I am currently in Form Three, with one more year to complete my secondary school education. My goal is to join KMTC, so I need to focus on my studies to achieve excellent results. In the coming year and beyond, I plan to dedicate myself fully to my studies to reach this goal. To ensure this, I intend to use part of my transfers to pay my school fees on time, avoiding the risk of being sent home for unpaid balances. With any remaining funds after covering my fees, I will support my younger siblings' education. I am deeply grateful for the financial support, as it has also allowed me to invest in poultry farming, providing a foundation for my financial security in the future."
Jacob's family
access_time 12 hours ago
Jacob received a $27 twenty-second payment.
"I am currently in Form One, and I am grateful to GiveDirectly transfers that have made me stay in school, as my parents are peasant farmers. When I began receiving these transfers, I took the initiative to support myself, allowing my parents to focus on covering the fees for my younger siblings. Since the transfers have a set timeline, I decided to invest them in a project to help sustain my education even after they end, knowing I still have a long journey ahead. Initially, I invested in a poultry project, growing my flock to nearly 50 chickens. Unfortunately, a disease outbreak wiped out all my chickens while I was at school, leaving me devastated. I have since revised my plan and now aim to invest in goats using my GiveDirectly transfers. This is my goal for the coming year and beyond, as goats multiply quickly and will provide me with future financial security. I have also started paying my school fees for next year to avoid a large fee balance, giving me the opportunity to save and buy goats, with my parents overseeing their care."
Rodah's family
access_time 13 hours ago
Rodah enrolled.
"Hunger is the biggest challenge my family is currently facing.The lack of jobs in the neighborhood has resulted to me and my family of 2 going without food on many occasions.I am a mother of one who engages in casual jobs such as cleaning , transporting water on my back and grading tomatoes in the neighboring location.These jobs are rare to find, one might engage in them twice or thrice a week .At the end of a week I always have at most KES 800, to survive on this my family has to live on one meal a day (super only) and have the last night leftovers in the morning if any .The insufficiency of quality food has impacted negatively on my health in terms of immunity and energy.I am no longer energetic enough to walk for long distances in search for jobs and transportation of water."
Kulubi's family
access_time 13 hours ago
Kulubi enrolled.
"Lack of money is the biggest challenge I am currently facing.For the past 4 years I have been working as a fisherman in lake Baringo,with my family of 3 the income I earn from this work is insufficient to pay for my daughter school fees as well as buy adequate household requirements.Although I have several business ideas it has been difficult for me to put them into practice because of limited finances . Operating on a hand to mouth basis is so discouraging and unpromising,most especially now when my family is growing and I have to shoulder the responsibility of taking care of my 4 siblings, my single mother and my disabled grandmother.I barely have savings from my monthly income of KES 15000, this stresses me a lot because time is moving ,I am getting old and I foresee a dull future for my family."
Kanyalu's family
access_time 14 hours ago
Kanyalu received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"My son is growing up, and soon he will need his own space to live in, as it is no longer appropriate for him to sleep in the same house with me. I therefore have been buying building materials, but I still have more to purchase. I plan to continue using a portion of my transfers, along with the savings from the groups I am in, and take small loans to keep buying the materials I need. My goal is to eventually build him a house, and once this is achieved, I will feel an immense sense of happiness and relief. In addition to this, I am committed to continuing to support my children's education. I plan to use part of my transfers to pay for their school fees, ensuring that they can continue learning and working towards their future. Education is a priority for me, and I want to give my children the best opportunities I can. Once I finish building the house and hand it over to my son, I intend to focus on expanding my livestock. I plan to use some of my transfers to buy more goats, adding to the ones I already have. I am hopeful that they will multiply, increasing in number and value, so that I will have a reliable source of income in the future, especially once this program comes to an end. I am deeply grateful for the support I have received. It has been a lifeline for me, enabling me to work toward these important goals for my family’s future. With this assistance, I feel empowered to make lasting improvements in our lives, and I am filled with hope for what is to come."
Wilson's family
access_time 14 hours ago
Wilson received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"I run a business where I have a video show studio in which people come and watch games and other shows. The transfers from GiveDirectly have been very essential in this business as I have been using them to pay for TV Subscriptions. My plan is to continue using the transfers to support my business ensuring it thrives. I have been saving the profits from this business with the goal of starting my own Mobile Money Agent shop, where I will provide Mpesa services to the community. Currently, there are only two Mpesa shops in the area, and many people who receive transfers from GiveDirectly have to travel long distances to withdraw their funds. By opening an Mpesa shop, I aim to make it easier for people to access their transfers, significantly reducing the burden of travel. I want to have this business up and running by January of next year, and I am determined to make this dream a reality. I am hopeful that with hard work and perseverance, I will achieve this goal. I am incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly for providing me with the support and hope for a better future. This new business will not only help serve the community but also open doors for other ventures in the future, enabling me to lift up my family and create more opportunities for us. I am filled with hope and excitement, knowing that this is just the beginning of a brighter future."
Vincent's family
access_time 14 hours ago
Vincent received a $27 twentieth payment.
"My current goal for this year is to create an exceptional moment for my family. To achieve this, I have been saving in a merry-go-round group, and I will be receiving my pooled funds in December. Once I have received them, I plan to buy my children new clothes and make this Christmas special for them. I want them to enjoy the holiday just like other families, and to feel happiness and warmth during this festive season. In addition to making the holidays memorable, I have a bigger vision for my future. I want to build a three-bedroom, self-contained house for my family. To make this dream a reality, I have been saving $17 in our SACCO, and I plan to save more from my future transfers. These savings will enable me to take a substantial loan from the SACCO, which I will use to buy building materials and construct my dream home. I am hopeful that these dreams and goals will come to fruition. I believe that with determination, planning, and the support I am receiving, I can achieve these aspirations and create a better life for my family. I am deeply grateful for the assistance I have received from GiveDirectly. It has been a crucial part of helping me work towards these goals, and I am excited about the future."
Lilian's family
access_time 14 hours ago
Lilian received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"The festive season is approaching, and I truly want to make this time special for my family. To make this happen, I plan to use my transfers over the next few months to buy clothes and shoes for my children. I want them to feel happy and enjoy the holiday festivities. Additionally, I plan to prepare special meals for them so that they too can celebrate this season with joy and warmth. Beyond this, I am also planning for the future. I intend to use a portion of my future transfers to buy goats. I am hopeful that these goats will multiply, increasing both in number and value. In the future, I hope to sell some of them and use the proceeds to help me achieve one of my long-held dreams of joining college. My goal is to study beauty and hairdressing, where I can gain the skills needed to open my own salon. I believe that with this training, I will be able to provide valuable services to people in my community, earning an income that will support my family and help us thrive. I am deeply grateful for the support I have received from GiveDirectly. This assistance is making a real difference in my life, allowing me to care for my family while also working toward a brighter future. I am filled with hope and determination, and I look forward to seeing these plans come to fruition."
Brian's family
access_time 14 hours ago
Brian received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"My wife was not feeling well and recently, she had surgery. Currently, my priority is to continue supporting her in every way possible, especially with food and anything else she needs, so that she can fully recover and get back on her feet. To achieve this, I plan to send her a portion of my transfers regularly, ensuring she has the resources to take care of herself until she is well again. In addition, I am determined to plan for our future. I intend to save at least $20 from my future transfers from GiveDirectly, which I will use to help start a small shop for my wife. This shop will not only keep her busy but also provide a source of income that will help support our family in the long run. Also, I am currently enrolled in a mechanic course, and my focus is on completing it successfully. Once I finish this course, I hope to be able to secure a job, which will allow me to contribute more financially and provide even more support for my family. I am deeply grateful for the assistance I have received. This support has given me the opportunity to work toward a better future for my wife, myself, and our family. I am filled with hope and determination to make the most of the opportunities ahead."