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 3 years ago
Kadzo received a $498 second payment.
"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I completed to pay school fees for my daughter who is now in form four at Jila Secondary. Before receiving the cash I had a debt of KES 40,000.00 which had accumulated over her schooling period. Initially I used to pay the school fees as well as sustain my family’s basic needs from my small business of selling liquor but due to sickness I had to leave the business. Being jobless, Give Directly has sustained my family as far as food is concerned. The amount that remained after clearing the fee balance I decided to use it food. We are so grateful for the support because Give Directly has enabled me to have a peace of mind in terms of my daughter’s education and basic needs for the family."
Karembo's family
access_time 3 years ago
Karembo received a $498 initial payment.
"Having a reliable source of income has always been my dream in life. This is because I am a housewife and I feel it is my responsibility to assist my husband in bring up our family of 6 members. I had the desire to start livestock rearing to support him. I spent KES 28,000 to purchase a local dairy cow together with its calf. At the moment, I have a steady milk supply for my family. Also, this is a future investment that will help me in educating the children. I also used KES 2000 to complete the payment of term one school fees for my children. The remaining amount assisted me in constructing a decent separate house for my two boys because I had been sleeping under the same roof where I missed the privacy with my spouse."
Mary's family
access_time 3 years ago
Mary received a $498 initial payment.
"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am living a happy life. Currently, I am able to meet the needs of my family without much sweating. The motorbike business I started with the help the transfer a daily income that helps me to feed and educate my children. Previously, my children were always sent home due to school fees because I lacked a reliable source of income to support their educational needs."
Changawa's family
access_time 3 years ago
Changawa received a $481 second payment.
"Initially we were living in sad, poor conditions. Our house was old and falling apart, in fact we were vividly able to see the stars and the moon in the sky while in the house at night. Rainy seasons were like hell in our family since we were forced to seek refuge from our neighbors at night. My children slept on the floor since we could not afford to buy a bed. Our safety was not guaranteed due to the poor condition of our house. I couldn’t afford my family's basic needs, especially education. I only relied on selling firewood and some charcoal to get some meals though not on daily basis. Some days we slept without food. Thankfully, heavens opened and Give Directly came for our rescue. We were able to construct a good house that can accommodate us. Therefore at a higher percentage, our safety is guaranteed. Currently we have nice-looking clothes not as before, we still have some food and finally my four children are happy in school full time not as before when they could spent almost have of the term at home due to lack of school fees. It’s my joy that our lives have transformed for the better."
Lily's family
access_time 3 years ago
Lily received a $498 initial payment.
"When I received my transfer, my priority was to purchase a dairy cow as I have been buying milk daily and it is expensive to me. Being an owner of a dairy cow is the biggest difference in my daily life as it has always been my wish to own one. When it calves, my family will have enough milk for consumption and for sale to earn an income. Also, I will be able to save the money I would otherwise have used in buying milk and use them on other projects like paying school fees for my children. I am so happy because GiveDirectly enabled me to fulfill my dream."
Nicoleta's family
access_time 3 years ago
Nicoleta received a $498 initial payment.
"The biggest difference in my life is that I am happier since I have been able to pay this year's school fees for my son. I am glad that he will no longer be sent back home due to fee arrears thus he will have enough time to concentrate on his studies as he will not be missing any classes. This gives me satisfaction as a parent as I have always seen education as an investment that will be of more benefit to my children since education is key to a bright future."
Judy's family
access_time 3 years ago
Judy received a $498 initial payment.
"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought a heifer. I always buy milk from my neighbors and it's so costly for me since I do not have a continuous source of income. I do small scale farming and the harvest that I get is only for consumption. I do not always get surplus to sell. My spouse is a motorcycle taxi rider. He brings home little money, which we spent on paying school fees for our children in secondary school and collge. We had no savings at all. We had wish to own a dairy cow but it was not possible because we had no extra money. When I received money from GiveDirectly we decided with my spouse to purchase a heifer. When it produce in the next few months, we will no longer buy milk. We would have cut the daily cost. The money which we could have used to buy milk, we will save to meet other family needs. I am so grateful because were it not GiveDirectly I could not have own a dairy cow."
Judy's family
access_time 3 years ago
Judy received a $498 initial payment.
"The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy I remember it was around 9:30am when I was doing my morning chores. I heard a message tone from my phone. I reluctantly check it out since I didn't expected any messages from anyone. I could not believe my eyes, it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I stopped whatever I was doing and went to inform my family members. They all celebrated with joy. I knew I would be able to pay the school fees for my son. We prepared and went to withdrew the money the same day. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly enabled me to pay the school fee."
Karisa's family
access_time 3 years ago
Karisa enrolled.
"I am a farmer who relies on selling cassava and maize to survive, pay fees for my four school going children and also medical care. As it is now, there has been no rain in the past months and the drought set in just when I was struggling to make ends meet. It's been very tough to put food on the table and pay school fees but there's hope because I'm looking forward to receiving funds from Give Directly and that will help me afford some food and send my children to school effortlessly."
Kadzo's family
access_time 3 years ago
Kadzo enrolled.
"I am a single mother of five, my husband passed on in the year 2020 leaving me with the responsibility of paying school fees for our two school going children as well as feeding them. At my age of 62 years, it is very difficult to get employment, therefore, I have to depend on neighbors for food because three of my children who are not in school do not make enough money to share with me. With this money, I will be able to see my two children through secondary school and also afford some food."
school fees