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.
Kadzo's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Kadzo received a $26 second payment.
"My husband works in a motorcycle taxi called “Bodaboda”. In recent months, he has struggled to make a killing in his business due to several challenges beyond his reach. The scarcity and high prices of fuel have contributed to his low income. In helping my husband pay the family bills (food, water, school fees, and clothing), I previously burnt wood and sold charcoal. Currently, I no longer sell charcoal because I am expectant and the tedious nature of the job will affect my health and that of my unborn baby. Because of the financial struggle we are going through as a family (husband and seven children), I spent KES 2000 to buy food and water, which is a scarce and expensive commodity in our area. Besides buying the food, I bought 5 hens as a start in my poultry business. With a lot of economic uncertainties, the poultry business will ensure I become financially stable and take care of the family's needs."
Erick's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Erick received a $10 initial payment.
"I rely on operating people's motorcycles whenever they are on break as means of earning income. On this particular day, I was out to try my luck when I received a text message confirming the receipt of money from GiveDirectly. It was such a happy moment and I immediately called my spouse to inform her of the good news. She was equally happy because things were not pleasant back at home. We were in a tough financial state."
David's family
access_time over 2 years ago
David received a $26 initial payment.
"I was at home early in the morning, so broke, waiting if I could be lucky to get a call from any of the customers who needed motorcycle taxi services. At the same time, I was wondering how I was going to raise some money for my family's meals when a message streamed on my phone. At first, I thought it was a client requesting me to call back and to my surprise, I had received the cash transfers. This was the happiest moment of my life. I, immediately left for the shop to get breakfast for my family." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
Samuel's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Samuel enrolled.
"I ride a motorbike as my full-time job selling bread and donuts in my location. The looming economic crisis has made life very difficult. Getting petrol for my motorbike has always been a nightmare for me. A liter of petrol which was 133 KES has inflated to 300 per liter now. I have not been selling my commodities due to this situation. I am nervous about when will the condition come back to normal." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
Sharon's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Sharon enrolled.
"We are a family of 6, my husband is employed as a motorcycle rider. He makes approximately KES 300 per day which has been sustaining us for upkeep and purchase of household goods. It is a good business and if he gets his own motorbike it will raise the daily income since he will not be sharing the proceeds with the owner. We have always wanted to own ours but due to lack of capital, we have not been able to purchase one. Receiving this money means a lot since we will actualize our dream of owning one. We are so excited that our dream will come to be. We intend to use KES 50000 to buy a second-hand motorbike and use the rest of the money to build an iron-roofed kitchen." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
Joyce's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Joyce enrolled.
"Receiving this money will enable me to save for my children's education. I have two children who attend high school, one that is set to join college and another one who will complete primary school in November. I am so fixed in terms of paying school fees since the money that my husband gets from his motorcycle taxi cannot meet all this. I plan on settling arrears for my two children in secondary school amounting to KES 14,000 and then buying a cow with KES 35,000 of the money. It will be easier to pay school fees gradually from the money that I will get from selling milk while also saving some of it." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
Momo's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Momo enrolled.
"The challenge I'm facing now is money. I want to buy land and build a house which has been my plan for a long period. Even though I ride a bike as means to sustain my family, the money I earn can't buy land and build a house, at the same time sustaining the family. The house I live in belongs to my mother but when she got seriously ill, was taken to the hospital for treatment. She did all of her tests and they couldn't find any sickness, so we took her and carry her to a traditional herbalist for treatment. All the money I earned from the bike I rode last year I spent all on my mother's treatment. It is because of the land my mother build the house on they're fighting her. Looking at all those things, I want to have a place for my children." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
Ruth's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Ruth enrolled.
"When we are successful to receive support from Givedirectly, we going to build our own house and establish small business that will help us to maintain our family." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
Chepngetich's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Chepngetich enrolled.
"The main challenge is food insecurity. I practice subsistence farming mainly we farm maize and beans, maize has not been doing so well in my village due to a disease that has been infecting maize crops. My husband works as a motorbike rider and he earns KES 300 a day, this is not enough to cater to all the family needs, especially with the high cost of living in the country. So having a balanced diet has been a great challenge for my family." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
Ahamin's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Ahamin received a $477 initial payment.
"I spent part of my first transfer on clearing the debt of KES 20000 from a friend. A few months ago, I bought a motorbike on credit and I am happy that the organization came at a good time because the owner used to frustrate me a lot. Later on, I bought iron sheets at KES 17500 which was for the construction of my new house since the previous one had a leaky roof and weak walls. During the rainy seasons, it was so hectic because I used to experience lots of damage and was sometimes forced to seek shelter from neighbors. In addition, I paid school fees of KES 1500 for my three kids in primary school. With the remaining amount of money, I have been buying foodstuff for my family and other household items." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
motorcycle