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.
Jiessak's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Jiessak received a $231 initial payment.
"One morning while sitting in the kitchen trying to prepare something for my children to eat and get prepared for school, my phone rang. When I went to checked, it was a mobile money alert that I have received $35,625 from Givedirectly INC. I was so exited and the first thing that came to my mind was to go and withdraw the money to pay my children's school fees and buy zinc to start my building project."
Amelia's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Amelia received a $243 second payment.
"I hope to accomplish my building construction project in this coming year from GiveDirectly transfers."
John's family
access_time over 2 years ago
John received a $243 third payment.
"My first, second and third money was used for a new building construction materials like zince three bundles, Zince nails three packs with part of the transfer and the balance money was used for my three children school fees and put part into a village saving Club.My life is now better than before because. No more worry about family support."
Kaingu's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Kaingu received a $433 second payment.
"GiveDirectly have allowed me to take my kids to school after a long time. I was in a bad way, wife leaving, no money etc....but when GiveDirectly came through, they gave me hope and that's what they excel at, Giving Hope to recipients. They have allowed me to believe in myself again and to believe that miracles do happen. May they always be there to help others and be blessed eternally."
Neema's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Neema received a $448 second payment.
"Owning my own little bit of Kenya has always been a desire of mine. GiveDirectly transfers allowed me to fulfill my dream. I was able to locate and secure a nice tract of land, thanks to the funds from GiveDirectly. My husband sells livestock at Bamba Market. Cows, goats and sheep are his speciality. Needless to say, we would have taken centuries before we had saved up enough to buy land on our own. GiveDirectly bridged that gap in spectacular fashion. The remainder mainly went to paying fee for my 4 kids who are in school. I have one in Grade 5, 4, 3 and 2, while my eldest just finished class 8, and my youngest is only 3 and yet to start school next year. The two eldest are in Mamba Primary, where I pay KES. 500 , while the other two are in Miungu wa Mawe Primary School , where I pay KES. 250, each. With the funds, I also went ahead to pay the farm hand who assists on our farm. We grow maize , cassava and the likes, mainly for our use for for sale also if there's surplus. GiveDirectly truly came in when we needed them to and helped us achieve our goals."
Risper's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Risper received a second payment.
"My current goal is for my business to grow. More clients, more staff, a bigger shop, all these are valid goals that I am trying to work towards. In the long run, I'm hoping to give my kids better opportunities to grab a hold of what the world has to offer and utilise it for the future of their kids as well."
Safari's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Safari received a $433 second payment.
"The funds found me in need of medical attention. So a part of the transfers from GiveDirectly went to my hospital bill, while also building me a 3 bedroom house to call my own. Some were also allotted to my budding business and used to restock it with its usual wares of flour, soap, oil etc. The balance went to a small rainy day funds and the rest towards catering for school fees for my 4, out of 6 kids. The only reprieve I got was from my 2 youngest, who at 1.5 years and 9 months , are yet to start school. They all attend Megumo Miri, with the older ones needing KES. 3,000 per month in school fees and the one in nursery needing KES. 1,200, for the same. To supplement my income from the shop, my wife and I till the land my dad gave us, on which we live, grow cereals primarily to consume and to sell,when the harvest is good. GiveDirectly was a welcome addition to the family, which we greatly needed!"
Kadzo's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Kadzo received a $448 second payment.
"I have simple goals. To see my children have a better life than me, thus knowing even my grand children will have the same. In the closer run, I would like to start an informal grocery stand (kibanda) and ply wares of veggies and fruits, to supplement our income as a household."
Elizabeth's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Elizabeth received a $448 second payment.
"To begin to explain what GiveDirectly transfers have meant to me, is in itself incomprehensible. I lack the words to explain, the sheer impact these funds have made in my life. As a back story, I am a 42 year old, second wife to a stay at home, 85 year old man. The independence and control that these funds gave was life changing. With the funds I was able to buy myself a bed and a mattress, which I would have toiled for ages before acquiring on my own. I'm a casual labourer, going to various construction sites daily and hoping to make KES. 500 when I manage to secure a gig. With that said, part of the funds were quickly diverted towards buying stones and other materials to set up pillars and a cement floor for my house, which were lacking. I snatched up 2 female goats at the market, for both milking and breeding into a flock, in the not so distant future. The rest went to food and fees for my kids. I have 5, all of whom I have been forced, by circumstances, to be the sole bread winner for. The 5 acres on which I grow cassava and maize, couldn't even begin to cater for KES. 4,500 a year I have to pay at Maeba Primary school for the two youngest who are in Class 8 and Grade 4.My other two eldest have both cleared secondary school and the third born class 8, and I am left trying to find a way to give them opportunities in life, while not being financially stable. GiveDirectly have been to us a blessing and I she'd tears when I think of how far they have brought me."
Joyce's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Joyce received a $433 second payment.
"GiveDirectly empowers, while allowing those it helps to still maintain their dignity. GiveDirectly allowed me to boost my ice cream business, by injecting funds that both my husband and I would have taken ages to raise. I have no criticism of them,than to ask they continue to bless others, while if possible, continuing with those it has previously assisted , to allow them to complete the good work that GiveDirectly has allowed them to begin."