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.
access_time
over 3 years ago
Joice
enrolled.
"Food shortage and hunger have been the biggest hardship I faced in life. I rely on casual jobs to feed my family and what I earn is not enough for us. We at times eat less preferred food like tea and sweet potatoes for lunch or supper."
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profile
access_time
over 3 years ago
Betty
enrolled.
"My son is having a heart problem (disease), this has cost us a lot financially to provide medication for him at Tenwek Mission Hospital. We have been struggling a lot to provide medication for him which is costly."
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profile
access_time
over 3 years ago
Alii
enrolled.
"Receiving this money means adding capital to my business. I am currently running a book shop business and I started with a Capital of Ksh.20000. The market is big such that I cannot satisfy my clients fully with the stock I have. I want to add a stock of Ksh.55000 so as to satisfy my clients. I will use the remaining amount to start an Mpesa business at the book shop. This will add my income to approximately Ksh. 5000 every month."
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profile
access_time
over 3 years ago
Sharon
enrolled.
"Receiving this money means a decent house for my family. My house is small and I want to build another house which is more spacious. The current one is small and since am in one room with the kids means no privacy, when I have visitors I always depend on neighbors for accomodations. I will spend KES 60,000 on building a 3 bedroom house, I will also buy 10 Goats at KES 4,000 each and the remaining will go for foodstuffs."
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profile
access_time
over 3 years ago
Alice
received a $485 second payment.
"In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well."
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profile
access_time
over 3 years ago
Josphat
received a $485 second payment.
"My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have bought a piece of land. I do small scale farming and sometimes do casual jobs in the village. The amount of money that I get through this is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs of the family. I had no extra money to save to buy a piece of land. When I received the second transfer I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to buy a land. Currently I own a piece of land, I have plough and ready to do horticulture farming. I am planning to plant beans and potatoes. I will get enough food for the family after the harvest. I will also sell the surplus at the market to earn an income to meet other household items. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled me to own a piece of land. This could have taken quite some time to get it. I have hope that I will save some money to buy another piece of land. This has motivated me to work harder and ensure that my family get all the needs. I will also be able to pay school fees for my children."
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profile
access_time
over 3 years ago
Cynthia
received a $502 initial payment.
"I spent my first transfer on purchasing a heifer at the cost of 230 dollars. I will get enough milk for my family when it reproduced in the future. I also purchased a ox and a goat at the cost of 220 dollars. This is the best investment because I will sell in case of any emergency or to pay school fees for my children. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard."
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profile
access_time
over 3 years ago
Betty
received a $485 second payment.
"I depend on small scale farming and the harvest that we get annually is only for our consumption and does not last us till the next harvesting season. In addition, There're some months in a year that we have to buy milk daily. With unstable source of income, we're at times forced to skip some meals like lunch or take porridge in the evening as our supper. When I received my transfer, I decided to spend $500 to purchase two heifers. I will be selling milk and use the income on food and to cater for my children's school fees. I used the remaining $25 to purchase new school uniforms for my children. I decided on this since the ones they had were old and worn out."
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profile
access_time
over 3 years ago
Joseah
enrolled.
"Receiving this money would mean improved health for my household members. Since we live in abject poverty, we are unable to take milk tea because it is costly. We are used to taking black tea which I feel not good for my children. I am a casual laborer within the village and getting any job to do is equally hard. If I become one the beneficiary of Give Directly, I intend to buy a dairy cow and use milk solely for domestic use. My plan is to spend approximately KES 30,000 to own one and use the milk domestically. By doing this, I will have improved the health of my family."
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profile
access_time
over 3 years ago
Mariam
received a $502 initial payment.
"The biggest difference in my daily life is that on now a happy farmer after boosting my livestock rearing. Currently, I am owning a herd of 30 goats after purchasing 10 more with the transfer. With this number of animals, they will be able to reproduce hence able to cater for the educational needs of my children without any problem."
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profile