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.
Agnes's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Agnes received a $325 second payment.
"As an internally displaced person (IDP) from Arabal, I have been forced to leave my home due to the recurring banditry in our region. Currently, I am residing on borrowed land. However, my long-term plan for the upcoming year and beyond is to purchase my own land in this area and establish a permanent settlement. To achieve this goal, I intend to continue with my farming activities, hoping to generate income that can be saved towards the eventual purchase of land"
Hellen's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Hellen received a $398 second payment.
"From the moment I received my transfers, my life changed a lot. I have had a constant source of income through the motorcycle taxi business as well as the maize harvests. This is a mirror of the great work of the organization in my community. And if you were to compare before and after receiving the transfers, the change is tremendous. I wish the organization would continue lifting people's lives just as it has been doing."
Joyce's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Joyce received a second payment.
"With the unconditional cash transfers, families have responded to their needs; for instance, children have gone to school, houses have been constructed, and food has been provided for the households. This is a commendable and life-changing initiative that GiveDirectly thought of. However, the short-term engagement does not respond to the needs exhaustively; therefore, if they could add more transfers, more change could be noticed, unlike now."
Julius's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Julius received a $398 second payment.
"If it were not for GiveDirectly, I do not know if the community would be thriving this much. I am glad that the unconditional cash transfers have made it possible for the community to respond to their needs by venturing into income-generating activities, thus ensuring financial stability. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because people were not singled out as all were subjected to the same criteria, and now their lives have improved."
Charo's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Charo received a $383 second payment.
"No man wishes to live alone for a lifetime, as one has to seek a hand in marriage. Since I have been living this way for some time now after we separated from my wife, life has not been the same, and therefore I wish to look for a companion. I am glad the transfers came in handy, as I have saved $300 towards my dowry payment now that I have identified a fiancee to marry soon. Because my current family of six is yet to expand, I have to work extra hard as the breadwinner; therefore, I spent $20 on cultivating my 1 acre piece of land, on which I sowed maize, so as to feed my family. Now that the rains are coming, I am hopeful that I will harvest up to 7-8 bags of maize, unlike the past 4 years where we have had no harvest due to unfavorable climatic conditions. For the rest of the transfers, I saved for the school fee payments of my grandchildren."
John's family
access_time over 1 year ago
John received a $325 second payment.
"In the coming years and beyond, my aspiration is to sustain my tomato farming venture, as it has proven to be a lucrative investment in our area. Recognizing its potential, I intend to continue dedicating my efforts to this agricultural pursuit. Furthermore, I have plans to save the profits generated from the farming business. With these savings, my goal is to eventually construct rental properties on my plot, located in our nearby center. By establishing these rentals, I aim to generate an additional income source for my family, ensuring greater financial stability and security for the future."
Christine's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Christine received a second payment.
"My plan for the future is to maximize the potential of tomato farming and continue saving from the income it generates. Over the coming years and beyond, I aim to establish a shop business as an additional source of income for my family. I believe that diversifying our income streams will enable us to adequately meet our family's basic needs and ensure access to quality education for my children. By combining the success of the tomato farming venture with the establishment of a shop business, I hope to create a more stable and sustainable financial situation."
Jane's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Jane received a $145 initial payment.
"Upon receiving the transfer, my first priority was to address the immediate need for food. I allocated $850 to purchase dry cereals, specifically 20kg of beans and a sack of maize. This supply lasted my family of six for two months, alleviating the challenges we faced during the famine. Previously, we had either been eating very little or skipping meals due to financial constraints. I express my gratitude to GiveDirectly for providing us with this essential support during such a difficult time. In addition, I utilized $50 from the transfer to pay for my two children's school fees. Although I wasn't able to fully clear the fees, this payment ensures that they can continue attending school and concentrate on their studies until I receive the next transfer, which will allow me to settle the remaining balance. To pursue my dream of poultry farming, I invested $5 by purchasing two hens. I am hopeful that these hens will multiply, and in the future, I can sell eggs to provide for my family's basic needs. With the remaining funds, I bought two plastic chairs and a few utensils. The ones we previously had were old and in a deteriorated state, causing me embarrassment when receiving visitors. The new chairs and utensils not only enhance our living conditions but also help create a more comfortable and welcoming environment."
Peris's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Peris received a $145 initial payment.
"On that day, I was occupied with my daily duties of herding cows and I had left my phone at home to charge. It wasn't until around 5:00pm that I returned to the house. As soon as I entered, my excitement led me to check my phone to see if I had missed any calls or messages. I was so delighted on discovering an Mpesa SMS notification indicating that I had received a transfer from GiveDirectly. The news filled me with immense joy, prompting me to quickly call my spouse and share the wonderful news with him."
Victor's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Victor received a $325 third payment.
"Moving forward, my plan for the upcoming year and beyond is to focus on expanding my maize farming activities. With the experience and resources gained from previous farming endeavors, I aim to increase the scale and productivity of my maize cultivation. By maximizing yields and adopting efficient farming practices, I anticipate generating higher profits from the maize harvest. Furthermore, I intend to use the savings accumulated from maize farming to venture into a cereal business. This additional income stream will involve buying, selling, and trading various types of cereals. By leveraging my knowledge of the local market and establishing strategic partnerships, I aim to create a successful and sustainable enterprise that will further support my financial goals."