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.
Betty's family
access_time over 3 years ago
Betty enrolled.
"When I lost my husband, my daughter was still young and sickly since she had developed a heart problem. I was left to fend for the family as well as take care of her expenses.The amount of money I earn from my casual labor $40per day couldn't cater for school fees and I have to sell my goats to facilitate their education.This has been my biggest hardship."
Lilian's family
access_time over 3 years ago
Lilian received a $506 initial payment.
"Moving out of the tiny grass-thatched hut that we have lived in with my six children for 10 years since my husband passed on had been so hard. All trials to accumulate resources towards putting up a bigger and a more decent have always failed. On receiving this first transfer, it was a great opportunity for me to demolish and construct a new one on the same spot using the same materials obtained from the old one. The transfer has brought back the once lost hope in my household as I have already moved into the new kitchen as the other better house nears completion. I was so lucky that on receiving the transfer, most of the construction materials were being sold within the village by the retail sellers who ferried their goods to the village knowing that everyone needed them then. This saved the transport cost for my 36 iron sheets, nails, and also hinges which took approximately $350 of my first transfer. I also managed to spend $40 on foodstuff, $80 on clothing for my children and saved the remaining for the labor force on the ongoing construction work."
Penaline's family
access_time over 3 years ago
Penaline received a $506 initial payment.
"It was early in the morning, as I was on my usual chores at the cowshed when I received a notification on my phone. On checking it up, it was the transfer that had just landed in my account. I wasn't done milking then but I could not hold my excitement back anymore, and I had to first leave everything right there to inform my family of the good news. Everyone was so happy and hopeful on receiving the news that things will start changing to what we had always wished for. We affirmed the plans we had and were so ready to start working on them the following day."
Sidi's family
access_time over 3 years ago
Sidi received a $506 initial payment.
"Able to meet my daily needs like food and water without a lot of struggle is the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because I was able to start a motorbike taxi with my transfer. At the moment, I am earning an income of $5 per day through which I am able to meet daily needs more easily."
Fikirini's family
access_time over 3 years ago
Fikirini received a $506 initial payment.
"I had just arrived from the nearby water pan where I had gone to fetch water for the family. I remember It was around 9 o'clock when I received a Mpesa message on my phone. After checking l discovered it was the transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt very happy and relieved from the stress because my goals were about to be attained."
Dama's family
access_time over 3 years ago
Dama received a $506 initial payment.
"For the past three years, I have been sheltering at my relative's house every night because my house has collapsed and I had to construct a temporary small one. With my three family members, it could not accommodate us also its condition was very bad. Therefore since my spouse is old and jobless, I was forced to step in as the family breadwinner, and the little I could earn 2 USD per day could not sustain us. This means building a spacious house using our own money was not achievable. However, after receiving the money, I had to prioritize this matter and have my own house at long last. I am a happy and proud soul for now because I am sheltering under one roof with all my family members peacefully. Therefore this makes the biggest difference in my daily life"
Neema's family
access_time over 3 years ago
Neema received a $506 initial payment.
"It was around 930 when I heard a message tone from my mobile phone without wasting I opted to check. I couldn't believe my eyes o what I saw, it was the long-awaited Mpesa from Segiva Technology. The joy I had knew no bounds because I was certain my life would finally change gradually. A big appreciation to the GiveDirectly family for the huge support."
Justa's family
access_time over 3 years ago
Justa received a $378 initial payment.
"I bought matress, ironsheets and cement"
Kassimu's family
access_time over 3 years ago
Kassimu received a $366 second payment.
"Me and my family's everyday lives have changed so much since receiving money from Givedirectly we managed to buy kitchen utensils and i am also building a nice decent house, i really give thanks to Givedirectly"
Margaret's family
access_time over 3 years ago
Margaret enrolled.
"My spouse is a mason. House construction jobs involve a lot of travelling. This has always cost him a lot in terms of transport. Receiving this money is therefore an opportunity to save on transport by buying a second hand motorcycle at a cost of about 500 USD. This will also be convenient for him since he will be flexible as well as enabling him arrive home on time. In a day, he uses an average of 4 USD. Owning our own motor cycle will save us up to 50 percent of our income."