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.
Benard's family
access_time over 5 years ago
Benard enrolled.
"My first priority is to revive my business of selling shoes and skin tight for ladies. I was unable to continue with the business after the stock I had for shoes and skin tights were consumed by fire when my house burnt down due to my neighbor's negligence. I did not salvage anything from my house, including my house hold items as they all burned down to ashes when I was in upcountry with my family. I had to start all over again by renting a new house and buying some household items that I could afford with the little money that I had saved from my business. I will therefore use the transfers to buy second hand shoes and skin tights for ladies from Gikomba market because they are cheaper and be able to restore back my business in Kiamutisya Mathare. I will be able to rent a stall and expect to get more profit in return since I am well known in our area and this will provide a ready market for my business. Secondly, I will buy household items to furnish my house due to the fire outbreak that consumed my house. Thirdly, I will support my mother's upkeep, she does not work and she entirely depends on me since my father passed away in 2005. She developed mental problem due to the death of my father which made me become the sole breadwinner in my family."
Dorcus's family
access_time over 5 years ago
Dorcus enrolled.
"I will invest in my handbag business, rent a shop and add more stock with a variety of handbags and sleepers.I am yet to find a suitable place to rent the shop but I might go for Mlango Kubwa stalls or at Eastleigh. Once the business grows I will hire someone to be attending the shop while I still hawk because I am used to it. Income for my business will enable me pay for my basic needs and save for other future priorities. Secondly I want to renovate my mothers house here in Mathare. The roof top has holes and whenever it rains its hard for us to sleep or even stay in the house. I will buy iron sheets, cement and pay for labour of the renovations with the transfer. Lastly I will buy a washing machine and start a laundry business. I noticed many people in Mathare wash their clothes manually with hands and it's time consuming and draining.I will provide affordable laundry services to the residents and get an income from it."
Winter's family
access_time over 5 years ago
Winter enrolled.
"My top concern is being in debt. My business of selling fish has not picked up much profit, so my income is still little. I have to plan well so that my needs are met with the little income I get. Because of this I am forced to borrow loans from friends, I also delay on pay school fees for my children and even paying my house rent in time. I once was in a lot of debt and I owed both my landlord and the school quite a large amount of money. The landlord almost locked us out, my children had to spend about two weeks at home due to lack of school fees. As a parent I felt disappointed in my self for not being able to be responsible for their educational needs and they missed out on a lot of school activities as well."
Aisha's family
access_time over 5 years ago
Aisha enrolled.
"My first priority is to invest in an exsiting business. I sell fish and bhajia in Mlango Kubwa, Mathare. The fish easily get spoiled, this forces me to store them at a friends butchery since he has a freezer. I want to buy one for myself instead and save the money I pay inorder for him to store them for me, with that I can be buying more stock knowing I have a place where I can store them. I will also buy some iron sheets just to give the structure some shade, this will come inhandy when it rains or there is too much sun. Secondly, I would want to put up a business of selling clothes for both women and children still in mlango kubwa and income from this will help to provide for my family. I have four children, two of them are in school and the other two are yet to join school. It want to bring them up in an environment where they lack nothing, education being a priority for them. Lastly, I will use part of it to build a house back in the village, Malindi. We do not have a house and I want my children to have a place they can go to for vacation and relax at the beach when they want to and a place to call home."
Masha's family
access_time over 5 years ago
Masha received a $539 initial payment.
"I saw the notification early in the morning and on checking to confirm, it was from GiveDirectly notifying me that I had finally received the first transfer that I had been anxiously waiting for. I felt happy that morning and rejoiced together with my family as we planned on how best we could spend the transfer to improve our living standard."
John's family
access_time over 5 years ago
John received a $464 initial payment.
"The biggest difference in my daily life is having food readily available at home. In addition, my dressing has improved since this transfer gave me a chance to acquire better clothes."
David's family
access_time over 5 years ago
David received a $464 initial payment.
"That moment I received my money, I felt so happy within my heart. This is because it would help solve my money problems. "
Grace's family
access_time over 5 years ago
Grace received a $464 initial payment.
"The moment I received my money, I felt so happy to be one of those that God has blessed with such an amount of money. "
Isaac's family
access_time over 5 years ago
Isaac received a $464 initial payment.
"That moment I received my money, I didn't believe it to be true, not until the mobile money agent passed me the cash, that's when reality hit my life."
Emmanuel's family
access_time over 5 years ago
Emmanuel received a $464 initial payment.
"That moment I received my money, I was so excited because I have never held such an amount of money. "