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.
Norah's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Norah received a $470 second payment.
"When we got the first transfer, we decided to save it so that we could combine it with the recent transfer and use it on constructing another house. We bought bricks at KES 31000, gravel at KES 18000, and sand at KES 35000. We decided to settle on the idea of building another house because the house that we have been living in has grown old, and the iron sheets are corroded and with holes. My husband and I have for the longest time been hoping to build another house but we were not in a position to since we didn't have the money needed to do so. So when GiveDirectly came up with this program in our village, we saw the opportunity to finally fulfill our dream, and for this, we are happy. We are, however, yet to start the construction work since we plan to buy all the necessary building materials and get money for paying labor. Other than the above, we also spent KES 10000 on buying a calf and another KES 1500 on buying three chickens. We decided to buy them so that they can help us in the future. We can sell the eggs and the milk from the calf and get money for buying the small essential household items such as sugar, soap, etc. The remaining transfer amount, we spent on buying two bags of maize for our consumption at KES 10000. We are thus so much grateful to GiveDirectly for supporting us."
Grace's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Grace received a $454 second payment.
"I spent my entire transfer money on buying a piece of land. I bought three points of an acre which was being sold at KES 35000 per point. The piece of land that I have been living in is small and not enough to do farming or to graze the cows. I have been hoping for a long time to buy more land but I didn't have the money needed to do so. The only income-generating activities that I usually do to get money is growing vegetables and selling them. I also usually collect the eggs from my chickens and sell them. The money that I get from the sales is not much, most of it usually goes to the purchase of food and buying the essential household items such as sugar, soap, etc. I am thus so much glad and grateful to GiveDirectly because they enabled me to achieve my dream."
Shaban's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Shaban received an initial payment.
"GiveDirectly, in my opinion, is a one-of-a-kind NGO that provides financial assistance to its recipients. It allows us to freely spend our transfers on areas of priority by using the model of giving cash to community members enrolled in its program. This has had a greater impact on our lives. For example, thanks to the transfer, I was able to purchase some medications, which alleviated my pain. In addition, using the transfers I received, I have started raising chickens. Since the NGO provides adequate sensitization to community members when launching a project in the community, I believe there is nothing it not does not do well."
Christina's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Christina received a $471 initial payment.
"When I got my recent transfer, I first took out KES 6700 that I spent on buying 6 rolls of wire mesh that I want to place all around the chicken house. I want to do so so that I can protect the chicks from predators. Other than that, I also bought a sweater at KES 2000. I added some utensils and bought some food for our consumption with part of the transfer money. I saved the remaining amount which is about KES 40000. I plan to use that amount in the construction of another house. The house that I have been living in has grown old and the floor has cracked. I have been hoping to build another house for quite some time now, but I didn't have the large sum of money that is needed to do so. My children have also been having the same plan but they have not managed to do so since they are struggling with the payment of school fees for their children. So when I told them how I am planning to spend the transfer, they were happy and they promised to help out since I am planning to build a permanent house and it is going to be a bit costly. I am thus grateful to GiveDirectly for their big support."
Juma's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Juma received a $471 initial payment.
"Upon withdrawing the money, I opted to build a spacious house since the one I had was too small and congested for my family. Therefore, I bought 14 pieces of iron sheets for KES 13580.00, some poles, and rafters. Generally, the house cost was KES 25000.00. I also bought some chicken for KES 1250.00, some clothes and a suitcase. Thereafter, I used the remaining amount to buy some food for the family as well as to save some for the family’s upkeep."
Mohammed's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Mohammed received a $26 second payment.
"As soon as I received my transfer, I spent part of my transfer, KES 1,500 on initiating poultry farming. I bought 6 small chickens at KES 2,500 that are currently doing. From the poultry farm, I shall be able to get eggs for sale in order to supplement my household's income. Secondly, I spent KES 500 on acquiring chicken feeds while the rest of the transfer went into savings. I shall be able to use that savings to meet other family needs. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for its kind support."
Muche's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Muche received a $471 initial payment.
"I am a mother of teen boys, I had a one bedroom house which could not occupy all of us. My boys had to sleep in the kitchen, which was not comfortable as the chicken seem to be so noisy very early in the morning. I used part of transfers of Kshs 35,000 to build an extra two bedrooms for my boys and visitors. I do subsistence farming for a living, most of the times I do it alone since getting extra money to hire labor has been the greatest challenge, with the transfers, I managed to buy two cows worth Kshs 20,000 to help in cultivating the farm, this takes shortest time possible as it is so fast as compared to doing it manually all by myself."
Jesca's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Jesca received a $471 initial payment.
"On receiving my first transfer I spent KES 10,000 which I used I. improve my existing house. I am happy with the progress and cannot wait to witness more. With KES 6,000 I spent on building a chicken coop and also spent KES 4,000 I brought a new coop. I spent KES 15,000 I spent in the purchase of a heifer which is an addition to my livestock. I look forward to when it can provide us with milk. With the remaining amount, I saved so that I can spend part of my second transfer on purchasing materials for the ceiling."
Kafedha's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Kafedha received a $471 initial payment.
"I used the transfers to buy a bed, mattress and to replace the beddings. I have never had a bed, and could sleep on the floor ,with very torn and old beddings. I have never had a sound sleep till recently when I bought beddings with the transfers from Give Directly, this costed about Kshs 25,000. I bought livestock worth Kshs 25,000 for remembrance, this includes chicken and a goat.In the future, I will be selling eggs while in excess, and for my own consumption.On the other hand, I will sell the goat to once it grows big so as to cater for my children's school fees. I used the balance of Kshs 5,000 to buy food, Since then, my family has been feeding on regular and balanced diet for several weeks."
Raphael's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Raphael received a $471 initial payment.
"I used the transfers to buy two cows worth Kshs 30,000.This is for remembrance of Give Directly transfers, should they give birth in the future, I will be using the milk produced , for my family's consumption and for sale when in excess. I used Kshs 20,000 to build a structure for rearing chicken and to add more chicks. I am a farmer, and rearing of chicken is advantageous as I will be delivering some of them to the hotels for sale, so as to cater for some of my family's needs. I used the balance of Kshs 5,000 to buy food for my family. I thank Give Directly for the transfers as my family have been feeding on regular and balanced diet for several weeks."
chicken