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.
Christina's family
access_time 5 years ago
Christina enrolled.
"I have been cultivating our 0.5 acre piece of land since I got married.In it,we plant maize mainly for consumption.For a family of seven,even a bountful harvest from this small piece cannot sustain us till the next harvest-bearing in mind that maize is our staple food.Over the past three years,a strange maize crop disease struck and at the same time rainfall patterns changed drastically hence aggrevating the situation.As a result,I have not had even half what I harvested in the past.This means that there is very little to eat in our home.As a mother,I cannot sit and watch my children starve therefore am forced to seek casual jobs so that whatever little I earn I can buy maize.This has been the biggest hardship I have faced"
Faith's family
access_time 5 years ago
Faith enrolled.
"Being a farmer,my only source of income is farming.In my small piece of land,I mostly plant maize ,sorghum and beans.This is both to provide us food as well as ,when there is a surplus, sell in order to meet all other needs of my family.Over the past few years,the rains have been quite unreliable hence there have been poor harvests.There has also been a crop disease that destroyed maize plants.This has really affected us in the sense that there is hardly any food to eat let alone for sale.As a result,we have sometimes had to forego some meals in a day.With young children around,this is often very tough.This is the biggest hardship I have faced"
Maurine's family
access_time 5 years ago
Maurine enrolled.
"Overdependence of livestock keeping as a source of livelihood has come with its fair share of challenges. When water pans and grazing fields dry up due to drought, milk production adversely drops which results in malnutrition and starvation. School attendance is severely affected as children drop out to seek pasture and water for their animals. "
Jane's family
access_time 5 years ago
Jane enrolled.
"Amos, my eldest son cleared his secondary education in 2015. He performed well with a grade good enough to take him to college but we had to forgo due to financial challenges. Now that I am a beneficiary of GiveDirectly cash transfer program my son is going to enroll to the Eldoret National Polytechnic to pursue his dream course in Civil Engineering come January next year. This is going to cost me my entire first transfer of Kshs 55,000 (550usd). I am going to trust God for the subsequent semesters to see my son through well-wishers and government bursary. With an imminent old age and my blindness I believe it's only through the education of my son that I am going to live a life of dignity in the near future."
Naumy's family
access_time 5 years ago
Naumy received a $22 twentieth payment.
"In the next six months, my life will have changed in that, we will have bought a piece of land as a family. Also, I am optimistic that I will have planted some nappier grass on this farm. Due to this, my livestock will have enough feeds throughout the year hence milk supply to my customers will remain constant. I will be using the income from the dairy project to pay school fees for my children."
Jesca's family
access_time 5 years ago
Jesca received a $530 initial payment.
"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to finish building a decent house for my family. As a result of this, we are now living happily as we no longer live in fear especially during this rainy season. Having a good shelter for my family would not have been possible had it not have been for GiveDirecty who gave us financial support."
Dorca's family
access_time 5 years ago
Dorca received a $511 second payment.
"Two months before GiveDirectly came, my second hand clothes business had collapsed and I didn't know where I could get capital to reopen it again. This is because I had debts all over starting from the villagers to table banking groups. Therefore, meeting my family needs had become very difficult which made me very depressed. GiveDirectly's transfers changed my life instantly in a way I didn't expect since this money fulfilled my aspiration of boosting my second hand clothes business and I started sewing clothes as well. I am happy since I have a reliable source of income that has enabled me provide for my family with ease and on a daily basis I am able to save 200 KES. Thanks GiveDirectly for bringing back a smile to a widow's face like me."
Janeth's family
access_time 5 years ago
Janeth received a $530 initial payment.
"It was early in the morning when I received a message notification on my phone. On checking to know who the sender is, I was filled with happiness upon realizing that GiveDirectly had sent me the money. I waited impatiently for dawn to break so that I would start using the money to achieve my goals."
Caren's family
access_time 5 years ago
Caren received a $530 initial payment.
"I still remember that it was 3.54 am when I received a message notification. On checking to know who would have sent me a message at that hour, I realized that GiveDirectly had honored their promise. I became so happy since I knew that I would be able to build a house for my children."
Dama's family
access_time 5 years ago
Dama enrolled.
"Receiving this money means I will be able to meet my family's needs with ease. I plan to spend 30000 shillings on my children's school fees and purchase two beds and mattresses so we can sleep comfortably and wake up energized. I will also purchase some 10 indigenous goats at a total cost of 30000 so I can be able to meet future financial requirements. "