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.
Baraka's family
access_time 4 months ago
Baraka received a $27 twenty-fourth payment.
"I plan to make significant investments in livestock in the coming months, focusing on goats due to their rapid reproduction rates, which will help grow my investment quickly. The revenue from selling these goats will be essential for funding my education and future needs. I am extremely grateful for the financial support from GiveDirectly, which has been crucial in advancing my education. Without their assistance, I wouldn't have been able to attend school, as my parents don't have stable jobs to finance my education. Additionally, I'm considering investing in raising ducks in the kitchen because they yield good profits and multiply when well-maintained. This will provide me with the funds to support my education once the financial aid ends."
Shabani's family
access_time 4 months ago
Shabani received a $27 twenty-fourth payment.
"In the coming year, my goal is to purchase three cows for land cultivation. This will allow me to continue generating income even after my transfers come to an end. I already own twelve goats, which I bought using my monthly transfer. Therefore, to buy these three cows, I need to have a strategy because cows are expensive. My plan is to sell some goats once they multiply to a significant number. After selling some goats, I will use the revenue generated to buy cows. I am incredibly thankful for the financial aid from GiveDirectly, which has been instrumental in furthering my life. Without their support, I would not have been able to reach where I am today."
Sidi's family
access_time 4 months ago
Sidi received a $27 twenty-fourth payment.
"In the near future and beyond, my plan is to expand my house by adding an extra room to provide a comfortable sleeping space for my children. Currently, they are sleping at their grandmother's house due to our tiny, one-roomed living space. Additionally, our current house requires repairs to make it more secure. I hope to finance these plans using my monthly transfers. In addition to expanding the house, I've also started raising goats as a means of ensuring my financial security in the future. I plan to start buying iron sheets for expansion once I have accumulated enough funds, thus I'm focused on ensuring we have a secure and comfortable home."
Kadzo's family
access_time 4 months ago
Kadzo received a $27 twenty-fourth payment.
"My family consists of nine people, including my seven children, myself, and my spouse. We currently live in a small one-room house, and due to the limited space, some of my children are staying with their grandmother. When visitors come over, it's embarrassing because we have to sit outside, as my children sometimes need to change, and there's not enough room inside. My spouse and I have decided to build a spacious three-room house to have privacy and a comfortable environment for family gatherings. To reach this goal, I'm saving $20 from my monthly transfer in our merry-go-round group. This will help me save enough money to build our dream house."
Jumwa's family
access_time 4 months ago
Jumwa received a $27 twenty-fourth payment.
"I am fortunate to have incredible support from my spouse as we embark on our project of building our own home. We've already secured a piece of land, where we plan to build our dream house. To make this goal a reality, I've joined a savings group where I contribute $20 from each transfer every month, specifically for purchasing building materials. Our current one-room living situation isn't accommodating our growing family, and when we have visitors, I often have to rely on the kindness of our neighbors to provide a place for them to sleep. I'm truly grateful for GiveDirectly support, as I wouldn't have been able to change my situation without them. In addition to our housing project, I am committed to ensuring that I promptly pay my children's school fees, as I want to avoid any situations where they might be sent home due to outstanding balances, which would negatively impact their academic performance."
Brian's family
access_time 4 months ago
Brian received a $27 thirty-second payment.
"I am planning to expand my poultry project from thirty chickens to as many as possible. In addition to buying one goat, I have started the journey of acquiring goats for my livestock keeping project. I have developed a keen interest in livestock keeping because they are profitable and easy to maintain, with a readily available market. Chickens, in particular, are easy to multiply, especially when well-fed, and I can easily sell mature ones to acquire more goats, which is my ultimate plan. Furthermore, I intend to open a shop targeting people in and around my village. Since there are few shops, this presents a business opportunity. This project will not only enhance our living standards but also provide a sustainable source of income for my family."
Hussein's family
access_time 4 months ago
Hussein received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"I am planning to invest in both goat rearing and poultry projects in the upcoming year and beyond. These initiatives will serve as an additional source of income for my family and me. I am thrilled to have acquired a few chickens and a duck for the poultry project, and considering their fast multiplication rate, I plan to sell some once I have a substantial number and use the proceeds to purchase goats. Following my father's passing and my mother's unemployment, I recognize the need to make sound decisions to support my younger siblings' education. Once these two projects pick up, I intend to launch a small grocery business. With my two sisters at home, one of them can help manage the business, contributing to our family's income. To realize this goal, I will sell some of my poultry and goats once they have multiplied to raise the necessary funds for this new endeavor."
Benard's family
access_time 4 months ago
Benard received a $155 initial payment.
"I typically engage in crop farming, mainly planting beans and maize to feed my family and sometimes sell the surplus for extra income. Before receiving the transfer, I had managed to lease two acres of land and planted maize and beans. Unfortunately, heavy rains flooded my farm, destroying all the crops I had planted. This setback made it difficult to provide for my family, and we had to relocate to a safer place. When the floods subsided, I went back to cultivate one acre, thanks to the recent transfer I received from GiveDirectly. I used the funds to purchase enough seeds, pesticides, and fuel for pumping water to my farm. Despite the recent loss, I am determined to have a successful harvest this time, as the weather conditions are now favorable. This will ensure that my family has enough food to eat as we recover from the effects of the flood."
Paul's family
access_time 4 months ago
Paul received a $142 initial payment.
"I was at home that evening, doing some work, when I received a message on my phone. Upon checking the contents to confirm receipt, I was overjoyed to learn that it was an Mpesa notification, informing me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. This money brought huge relief for me, as I had been facing a lot of stress due to recent floods that destroyed my belongings. I remember calling them to thank them for the support, which helped me recover from the stress."
Dama's family
access_time 4 months ago
Dama received a $27 twenty-fourth payment.
"In the coming year and beyond, I am eager to plaster the interior of my house to enhance its durability and appearance. I have already obtained the necessary plastering materials for this phase of the project. Once I finish the interior, I will take a brief break to save up again for the next phase of plastering. This renovation will strengthen the long-term stability of my house and elevate its attractive. After completing this task, my intention is to venture into livestock farming. At present, my primary focus is on nurturing my five goats, which play a pivotal role in my future endeavors. Regrettably, I experienced significant losses due to disease in my chicken flock previously. My immediate aim is to ensure the multiplication of my goats, creating a reliable source of income through sales when necessary. Concurrently, I am in the process of constructing my envisioned brick house. Once this construction is finished, it will facilitate the expansion of my livestock investment, particularly in goats. This carefully planned approach ensures that once my house is completed, I can seamlessly transition to expanding my goat farming endeavors without encountering unnecessary obstacles."