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.
Frida's family
access_time 6 months ago
Frida received a $27 twenty-fifth payment.
"Since separating from my spouse, I shoulder all the responsibilities. I plan to open a small shop to generate additional income to support my son's school fees. However, I haven't been able to start this project yet because we are currently facing hunger due to a poor harvest caused by the scorching sun. The little we get is spent on food. Once I have a good harvest, I will divert my monthly income towards this project. I am optimistic that once this idea becomes a reality, the extra income will allow me to comfortably provide for my son's education, bringing me peace of mind. I am grateful to be part of this program."
Lilian's family
access_time 6 months ago
Lilian received a $354 second payment.
"GiveDirectly provides transfers to everyone fairly and without discrimination. The officers expect nothing in return during enrollment, ensuring that we incur no costs. They are humble and respectful to all. The unconditional nature of the cash transfers allowed me to plan it at home with my family based on our specific needs, acknowledging that everyone has diverse requirements. This money has brought unity to our family, as the sensitization during baraza (community meetings) and the officers' emphasis on family agreement prevented any disagreements. Receiving the money in installments, with a skip month in between, has greatly aided our planning. Comparing GiveDirectly with other organizations, GiveDirectly stands out with its effective approach. There are no improvements needed; keep up the excellent work."
Nasirin's family
access_time 6 months ago
Nasirin received a $354 second payment.
"For years, life has been challenging, relying solely on charcoal production and casual jobs without any alternative source of income. Unfortunately, I lost my land to the lake, leaving me landless. Currently, I have been living on someone else's property, and the owner requested $400 for the land. Upon receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I paid $200 to the owner. With my second transfer, I cleared the remaining arrears of $200, and now I am the proud owner of the land. This is a significant relief, given that I have seven children and am a single mom. Moreover, I decided to invest in four goats, each costing $50, totaling $200. Goats do well in this area, especially with the grass on the land I now own. They can survive even during droughts, and their reproduction will provide a source of income to help pay for my children's high school fees since I can sell some in the future. I invested the remaining $50 in food. Feeding my family of seven was a struggle, and sometimes we had to skip meals. Providing them with a balanced diet seemed like a dream. Thanks to GiveDirectly's support, things have improved, and I am optimistic about the future."
Jeniffer's family
access_time 6 months ago
Jeniffer received a $143 initial payment.
"After losing my kitchen and latrine due to the recent heavy rains accompanied by heavy winds, I was devastated and unsure of what to do next. Depending on casual jobs and with my husband working as a boda rider, repairing these essential structures seemed impossible. However, thanks to GiveDirectly's support, my washroom has already been fixed, and work on rebuilding the kitchen is in progress. I am really grateful to GiveDirectly for saving me stress and restoring my home again."
Philiph's family
access_time 6 months ago
Philiph received a $157 initial payment.
"I buy and sell cows weekly to support my family, earning up to $18 each time. However, this income is insufficient to meet all our needs, including water. Before receiving GiveDirectly's support, my wife had to walk 5 kilometers to fetch water, which was incredibly challenging. Additionally, food scarcity was a constant issue, and there were times when we had to skip meals, despite having children. The impact of GiveDirectly's assistance has been profound; we now have our 5000-liter tank filled with water, and we have enough food to sustain ourselves. Life has improved for us, and we are grateful to GiveDirectly for their support."
Helen's family
access_time 6 months ago
Helen received a $354 third payment.
"Upon receiving my final transfer, I immediately addressed the pressing needs of my family. Firstly, I have taken responsibility for my two grandchildren after they lost their mothers. My other daughter left three of her children under my care. One of them finished high school last year with arrears totaling $400, which prevented her from picking up her certificate. I used $300 to reduce the arrears, leaving a balance of $100 to be settled later, although I later paid an additional $50, pending a balance of $50. She had been accepted to university, but I lacked the funds to facilitate her immediate admission. Currently, I am raising money to hopefully enroll her in medical school. The remaining $150 from the transfer was allocated to the construction of a bridge. Living across the river had posed challenges, as it was difficult for both my aging self and visiting relatives who had to leave their vehicles on one side."
Moses's family
access_time 6 months ago
Moses received a $143 initial payment.
"My wife was at home, suffering from pain that I couldn't help due to our financial constraints. I depended on casual jobs to sustain my family, although I had to look after our son while she battled a breast problem that left her unable to tend to him. This only meant I couldn't go to work; hence, I had no money to take her to the hospital or cater for our needs. When I received my transfer, I immediately took her to the hospital for treatment, for which I spent $13. Another urgent problem, since none of us could work at this time, was food scarcity. I used $95 to purchase maize, beans, and other essentials to sustain us. I also paid off a $21 debt I had at the shop for previous food purchases on credit. Additionally, I spent $36 on new clothes, as our old ones were worn out. The remaining $12 covered transportation costs. Thank you, GiveDirectly."
John's family
access_time 6 months ago
John received a $143 initial payment.
"It was around three p.m. when I got a message at the field confirming receipt of $183 from GiveDirectly while I was attending to my cows. I could hardly contain my excitement and couldn’t wait to get home that evening to share the news with my wife. As soon as I got home, I told her she was overjoyed, and we both felt a wave of relief knowing we could now follow through on the plans we had been anticipating. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your support."
Veronica's family
access_time 6 months ago
Veronica received a $157 initial payment.
"I was at home making lunch after taking a break from my farm work when I heard a message alert on my phone. Curious, I checked it and saw that it was a $200 transfer from GiveDirectly. A smile spread across my face. Once lunch was ready, I left the house to bring my husband's lunch to the farm and to share the good news. He was just as happy as I was, knowing we could finally carry out our intended plans. We had heard that people in the neighboring village received similar support, and we had been waiting anxiously for our turn. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for fulfilling your promise."
Raymond's family
access_time 6 months ago
Raymond received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"In the coming year and beyond, my main aim is to expand my livestock, specifically goats and chickens. I want to ensure that by the time my children are ready for secondary school and college, I'll have accumulated enough goats to sell and finance their education. With the incoming transfers, which are my main source of income, I intend to gradually increase my livestock. I firmly believe that providing my children with a good education will secure their future and enable them to lead successful lives. This goal drives me forward every day, knowing that the well-being and opportunities of my children depend on the steps I take now."