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.
Ali's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Ali enrolled.
"I'm still single living with my mother who is somehow old can not effectively generate income. I also have four other brothers who are living with us and together we contribute in taking care of the family. I and my brothers are dependent on local construction jobs alongside other casual ones in the village while our mother normally sells firewood and charcoal. I have always wanted to start poultry farming here at home dealing with local breeds of chicken to lower the cost somehow due to their low susceptibity. Again local breeds have bigger market even though they take longer to mature. As per my estimation, I would need about 10000 KES to be able to acquire all that is needed to make this a success. I therefore would say GiveDirectly's project is so timely for me as I am going to just save my first three transfers to get initial capital. Thereafter I'll use subsequent transfers to maintain business before it peaks."
Rajab's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Rajab received a $26 second payment.
"Even though I had food in the house, it was insufficient to feed my family for two days. As a result, when I received my transfer, I spent KES 1,000 on extra food because I did not know when I would have any money. I operate a motorbike taxi, which has not been profitable for the past two months due to rising fuel prices. In addition, I paid KES 1,000 in school tuition for my younger brother, who is in secondary school. Because my mother does not have a consistent source of income, I occasionally step in to assist her in raising his school fees. She only does a small business of selling cooked food which has also been affected by the hike in commodity prices. Lastly, I spent the rest of my transfer on buying two chickens. As a result of the low income from the motorcycle taxi, I am shifting my focus to poultry farming. I hope this will turn out to be a viable venture."
Mangale's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Mangale enrolled.
"I have been living at my in-laws house for five years now working as a caretaker. The little money I get from this casual labour is not enough to start any meaningful and profitable business. Getting this money from GiveDirectly would mean I start a chicken rearing business at home. I will spend the first two transfers to set up the business and the consequent transfers on buying more chicken and their feeds. I believe this business will be a source of income and eventually I will have something to depend on. This will go along way in solving the problem of hunger which has been a big challenge in my family. I will also spend some of the money I will be saving per year to build a two bedroom house because I have none at the moment. This would bring happiness and peace of mind to me."
Lilian's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Lilian received a $26 second payment.
"I am a small-scale farmer who ventured into poultry farming after the commencement of the drought. I lost all I had invested in the farm when all the crops dried up. When I received my transfer, I spent a large portion of KES 2000 on buying chicken feeds (starters mash). I depend heavily on this project because of the earnings I get to pay school fees for my 2 children, buy food and clothes and use some for medication. I spent KES 500 on paying school fees for my children after schools opened. Finally, I spent the remaining KES 500 on buying 2kgs of sugar, 1kg of sugar and tea leaves to add to the dwindling stock of food in my house."
Nzingo's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Nzingo enrolled.
"I would like to invest more in livestock farming because I can no longer do crop farming and other physical jobs because of my old age. I currently have four goats and I would like to add at least one goat every time I receive the transfers. My target is having a herd of 20 goats. One goat goes for 3,000 KES. I also have a long term plan of rearing chicken. These livestock will help me when I need money for my needs, especially food."
Dama's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Dama received a $26 second payment.
"After my husband underwent an operation one year ago, I became the only breadwinner in the family (husband and three children). I earn a living through the sale of charcoal. A bag of charcoal goes for KES 300. Since the commencement of the drought three years ago, the demand for the sale of charcoal went down and thus affecting my business. I hardly sell a single bag of charcoal and thus it’s difficult to provide for my family’s needs (paying school fees, buying food and clothes, and medical expenses for my husband). When I received my transfer. I spent KES 2000 on buying chicken to start a poultry project, which will act as an alternative source of income. Finally, I spent the reaming KES 1000 on buying food for my family to avoid starvation because I had no money to buy food.  "
Hadija's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Hadija received a $26 second payment.
"I just recently received the funds from GiveDirectly and I have not got the chance to utilise most part of the funds I did make a slight purchase. I bought two hens worth KES 700 in total because I wanted to venture into poultry farming since the process of rearing chicken is not that tedious and it is quite manageable if you ask me. Also hens produce and grow quite first which makes it easier to offer to the marker since they are always on demand. I am left remaining with KES 2,400 which I have not yet used but I intend to open a business where I own a restaurant. I want to preferably open the restaurant outside a school because my target market is students and teachers which I'm positive will help keep the business going and sustainable."
Selina's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Selina enrolled.
"I have for a long time wanted to expand my small hotel business. I have loyal customers who support me and it would be nice if I had a wider variety on my menu asides from beans, rice, chapati, and green grams. With this aid, I will add to the menu beef, pilau, ugali, tripes, and occasionally, chicken. Just the thought of it makes me excited."
Kadzo's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Kadzo enrolled.
"I used to keep goats and chicken. I had to sell all the twenty goats due to prolonged drought. Currently, I only have a cock which survived. I intend to use the transfers in relaunching the livestock keeping practice. In every month, I will be buying one goat at 2000KES untill I get six goats.In addition I will spend 600KES from my first transfers to buy 3chicken. Having livestock in the compound will help me in times of need especially in paying school fees and food for my four children."
Dama's family
access_time almost 2 years ago
Dama enrolled.
"Receiving this money will be of great assistance to me since I do not have any source of income. I am entirely dependent on my children who are also struggling in town to make ends meet for their families. I have always desired to start livestock and chicken farming that can help me in the future so I can also be independent but lack of capital has hindered me from achieving this. These transfers will however change that because I plan to buy a goat and chicken every month for one year. These animals will give me good wealth in the future when they start to multiply and I will not have to depend anymore on my children for support."
chicken