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.
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Newsfeed > Esther's Profile
Esther's family
Esther
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
54
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Esther's next check-in.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($348 USD)
access_time 1 day ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My plan for the coming years is to focus on expanding my poultry business, which has proven to be profitable, especially during the December holiday when the demand for chickens is very high. With my third transfer, I intend to purchase more chickens, as I can sell each hen for $10, making it a great source of income. This money will help me provide food for my family and cover school fees. Furthermore, I want to ensure my grandchildren, who are only three years old and currently staying with me, will have access to a good education when they reach school age. I believe this investment in both my business and my grandchildren’s future is the best way to improve our lives. Through careful planning and dedication, I am confident that I can create a stable and secure life for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The officers from GiveDirectly talk to us in a respectful and kind manner, which makes the process feel comfortable and supportive. There is no harassment, and they handle everything professionally, ensuring we feel valued. I appreciate how they follow up on how we use the money, patiently checking to make sure it is spent in the right way without rushing or pressuring us. Their approach has been very encouraging and shows that they truly care about our progress. Honestly, I have not seen anything negative about GiveDirectly, and I believe they should continue with the same spirit. Their support has made a real difference in my life and many others, and I am deeply grateful for it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been struggling since I lost my husband three years ago, leaving me to care for our 11 children on my own. Despite the challenges, I have remained determined to find ways to support my family. With the $450 I received, I decided to purchase water pipes to connect to a generator, allowing me to pump water from the river to my farm. This decision was crucial because my pawpaw plants require constant watering, and the river flow to the irrigation scheme had been blocked. Having a reliable water supply has transformed my farm, and my pawpaws are thriving as a result. The water pipes have not only improved my farm but also created an opportunity for me to sell water to my neighbors. This small business provides a steady income to meet my family’s daily needs. In addition to farming, I run a poultry business, which has been a lifeline for us. With these two ventures, I can feed my children and keep them in school. Knowing that I can depend on these income streams has brought some relief to my life and allowed me to focus on building a stable future. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to invest in something that has made such a significant difference in our lives. It gives me hope to see my farm flourishing and my children well provided for, even in difficult circumstances. This support has not only improved our livelihood but also restored my confidence in my ability to care for my family. The challenges remain, but with these investments, I feel better equipped to overcome them and secure a brighter future for us all.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($155 USD)
access_time 2 months ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on the 14th in the afternoon, and I was just relaxing with my grandson when I heard a message notification on my phone. I always have my phone close, so I checked it immediately. When I saw that it was the GiveDirectly transfer, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with joy. At that moment, I knew I could finally cover the school fees for my children and buy food items for the household. It was such a relief, knowing that the help had come right when I needed it most.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Poultry farming has always been a passion for me, but for the longest time, I had the chicken coops without any chickens to fill them. When I received the cash from GiveDirectly, everything changed. With that money, I was able to buy roosters, and now they are growing fast. It's such a relief to finally have something that I know will bring me profits in the next few months. Every morning when I walk into the yard, seeing the roosters thriving makes me so hopeful for the future. It’s comforting to know that soon, the income from selling the chickens will help ease some of the financial burdens. When I receive the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I plan to expand my poultry farming by buying more roosters. With each step, I’m getting closer to building a sustainable source of income, and I can't thank GiveDirectly enough for giving me this opportunity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the cash transfer, I used $50 to pay my granddaughter’s school fees. She’s in Grade 8, and her mother wouldn’t have been able to cover the fees, so I saw it as my responsibility to help. I also used another $50 to clear the school fees arrears for my daughter, who is in Form Four. Since she’s a candidate preparing for her exams, I didn’t want her to be distracted or sent home due to unpaid fees. Her education is important to me, and I want her to focus fully on her studies. In addition to this, I invested $50 in buying 20 young roosters. They were just a month old at the time, and now, at three months, they’re growing very quickly. They are low-maintenance and mature fast, so I know this will be a profitable venture. I’ve raised roosters before, and the business was successful, but I had to stop due to financial constraints. This time, I’m confident that in six months, I’ll be selling them for $12 each, which will generate a good profit in a short period. Lastly, I used the remaining amount to buy food items for the household. I take care of my grandson, and I don’t always have time to find casual jobs to earn money to cover for food costs. Ensuring we have enough food is crucial, and while I depend on farming to provide for us, the cash transfer allowed me to secure our food needs without worry. It has brought some much-needed stability to our household.
 
Enrolled
access_time 4 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Paying school fees for my grand children is the biggest challenge iam facing because I don't have any source of income, when I receive GiveDirectly cash transfers I will use the first transfers to clear all the fee arears. My house windows have broken they are not good at all, my second transfers will go directly for windows renovation Iam planning to buy new glasses for my four windows. I will use the remaining money to buy food, clothes and build one room house for my guests when they come to my house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My grand child performance was not good when he was schooling in a day school, I decided to send him to a boarding school in Nakuru and recently I received good news that he is performing well and that is the happiest moments of my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My grand daughter gave birth two months ago and the school administration threatened to report me to the local administration if I will not allow my grand child to go back to school. So I had to release her to go back to school and also I had to left my small business to take care of the 2 two months old grand child, this is the main challenges iam facing because I have to fend for my grand children basic needs and also to pay for their school fees.