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.
Seh's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Seh received a $278 fourth payment.
"My plan is to own a new motorcycle within the period of four months for commercial purpose"
Hassan's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Hassan received a $463 second payment.
"Being a motorcycle ride has not played a big role in achieving my dreams because the income that I was earning averaging to 200 KES was enough to provide my family and save towards investment. My dream has always been starting a business and investing in livestock. I spend 30000 KES to buy goats and KES 23000 KES to open a general shop. I'm happy that my business is picking up well and I'm earning income enough to sustain my family. I'm hopeful that the herd of livestock will multiply and I'll be able to sell them in future to supplement my income."
Paul's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Paul received a $463 second payment.
"After receiving the second transfer, my priority was to start a milk buying and selling business. To make the business effective, I needed a motorcycle. I, therefore, used KES 25,000 of the transfer as a down payment for a motorcycle worth KES 125,000. From this, I am required to repay KES 380 daily for the next 18 months. Secondly, I intend to use KES 17,000 as capital for starting the milk vending business. Through this, I am targeting the purchase and sale of 150 liters of milk each day. As a result, I will get KES 2,000 profits daily. This, will not only help in the motorcycle loan repayment but also food and savings. Thirdly, I spent KES 3,750 on the repayment of a mobile money loan. This helped to clear my name from the credit reference bureau while buying my motorcycle on loan. I also spent 2000 as savings in merry-go-round monthly contributions. This will help in household expenditures. Lastly, I spent KES 3,600 on a bag of maize. This is because earlier, I would rely on casual labor like masonry and weeding to get food. But these jobs are quite unreliable because they are seasonal and I would get only between KES 300 and KES 400 a day."
Juliana's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Juliana received a $479 second payment.
"I have been suffering from back pain for the past five years. As a result, I could not do heavy tasks and these forced me to rely on my kids for both food and water. In a week we used to hire a motorcycle to fetch water at KES 200. This was quite costly given that food was also on the budget. So, when GiveDirectly transfers came my priority was a water tank. I, therefore, spent, spent KES 21,000 on a 3000 liters plastic water tank. This will help store clean rainwater for a longer time. Fortunately, after the recent rains, my water tank is full to the brim. And presently I no longer rely on my kids to hire me for a water transportation system. In addition, I spent KES 3,000 on a bag of maize. This will sustain us longer unlike before when we used to sell milk for a kilo of maize meal. Furthermore, I spent KES 3,800 on the latest clothing fashion which I couldn't afford before. I also gave KES 10,000 to my husband for clothing and personal care. Lastly, I spent KES 4,000 on the settlement of a utensil debt."
Momo's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Momo received a $278 fourth payment.
"I used my most recent transfer to buy a used motorcycle so that I can run it as a business while generating money to establish a better business, I also bought cement and some building materials for the completion of my house project, I used the balance to buy foodstuffs for my family."
Jumaa's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Jumaa received a $479 second payment.
"GiveDirectly has in a great way positively impacted livelihoods and people of different communities by ensuring they live comfortably and uplift their living standards." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
Vincent's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Vincent received a $479 initial payment.
"It was almost 4 pm and I was going on with my work. I had left my phone charging so I had no idea what had transpired. I heard from people who were saying that the transfers had been sent. I had no time to go check my phone since soon after the transfers were sent I became busy with my motorcycle taxi business. People were busy moving from one place to another because they wanted to withdraw their transfers. I saw the SMS later at around 6 pm with the good news that I had also received the KES 55000 from GiveDirectly as promised. I was so happy and I told my wife about it when I got home. She was so excited and we celebrated together." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
Salome's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Salome received a $479 second payment.
"After investing both my first and second transfers on starting up a retail shop, I now have an additional goal to introduce motorcycle spare parts in the business. I sell motor fuel alongside the retail shop and there are times when the customers ask for spare parts whenever their motorcycles are broken. I still do not have enough capital for it but I have already started to save some of the profits to raise money for it. This, will, therefore, not only meet their fuel needs but also spare parts for those with broken bikes which will be a boost for my business."
Juliet's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Juliet received a $479 second payment.
"After successfully meeting the most pressing household needs with the first transfer, we felt it was ideal to have a long-term investment with the aim of having a reliable income for our household. We, therefore, spent the whole of the second transfer on a charcoal buying and selling business. The money catered for 10 bags of charcoal which was the stock and a weighing machine. So far, I can not complain because we have seen a great improvement when it comes to meeting our household needs. Previously, my husband was the sole breadwinner, but he used to strain financially. He is now relieved since we share the household expenses." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
Famata's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Famata received a $277 fourth payment.
"My goal is to purchase one motorcycle for business purposes that will brings my hands up in the business world"
motorcycle