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.
Jumwa's family
access_time over 4 years ago
Jumwa received a $542 initial payment.
"I spent KES 30000 to purchase two cows which I am currently keeping in my homestead. I feel having these will help me in future when they reproduce and increase in number. I will no longer be buying milk elsewhere, and the surplus I will be selling to earn an income. I also bought some building poles to facilitate the renovation of my house. Also, I paid a deposit for a solar panel at KES 2500 which will help me to provide lighting for my house. I have my children who are in school and this will help them in their studies. I also saved KES 10000 to pay for my children's school fees even as they prepare to resume their studies. I also did some shopping for them. I am spending the remaining amount to buy daily foodstuffs and also buying some household items."
Dama's family
access_time over 4 years ago
Dama enrolled.
"Education is a key factor for every child especially in this 21st century. Being illiterate and jobless, I have wised to educate my children so that they may have a better life in future. Receiving this money means quality education for my children. Currently, I am having 2 children in secondary school with one in form 3 and the other is in from 1. I am planning to spend $250 on paying school fees for them. I also plan to use part of the remaining amount to construct a respectable house for myself."
Vickoty's family
access_time over 4 years ago
Vickoty enrolled.
"Buying a dairy cow for milking @ $350 which will boost my income as a casual worker is what receiving this money means to me. This also means saving ksh 30 daily which i usually spend buying milk for family consumption. I will then use $480 of my transfer to pay school fees my four children in secondary school."
Leonard's family
access_time over 4 years ago
Leonard received a $523 second payment.
"Having an additional dairy cow on my herd is a life changer that I can proudly mention. This dairy cow has given birth to a young one hence I do milk for free for my family consumption. Previously, I used to buy milk from my neighbors and it was indeed so costly. In addition , with the expansion of my herd I expect more milk that I shall sell to generate an income. I believe the little money I will be getting from this business will enable me to pay school fees for my children."
Joyce's family
access_time over 4 years ago
Joyce received a $524 second payment.
"My mother started ailing at 2016 and her medication required alot of money . By then , I had completed my secondary education and with the financial constraints it was not possible to raise my college fees . Unfortunately , she passed away and life became harder because my dad who was a casual worker in a nearby factory his income could not support the provision of our basic needs and pay school fees for my siblings too . I had to step up and take some roles that my late mother's did that is doing causal jobs around the village and the money I make went to support my sibling . Since then, fulfilling my dream of going to college seemed not achievable . Through GiveDirectly's transfer, I have another story to tell which I am proud of . I foresee a brighter future because I have gotten an opportunity to go back to college for a teaching course . I believe when I shall complete this course and get employed it will be easier to support my family financially."
Dama's family
access_time over 4 years ago
Dama received a $542 initial payment.
"I spent KES 15000 on the transfer to purchase six goats. I am rearing these goats so that I can sell the offsprings soon to raise more money for my children's education as well as meeting other financial needs. In addition to this, I also saved KES 10000 that I am planning to pay for my children school fees. This will enable them to remain in school and avoid further interruptions in their studies. Apart from this, I also took KES 4000 to hire the services of oxen to plough my farm for timely cultivation. I also paid a deposit of KES 2500 for a solar lantern that is currently providing lighting in my household as well as charging my phone. I am no longer spending daily on kerosene. I spent KES 3000 on buying a new door and fixed it at my house since the old one was broken. I am spending the remaining amount to meet the family basic needs such as clothing and daily foodstuffs as well as paying for other household expenses."
Sofia's family
access_time over 4 years ago
Sofia received a $542 initial payment.
"I spent KES 28000 to purchase a pair of oxen which I am expecting to use to plough my farm. Initially, it would take me a long time to cultivate my whole farm because I was using hoes which are not effective. The pair of oxen is much better and I am expecting to improve my farming and get a better harvest from now onwards. In addition to the pair of oxen, I also purchased a new bed and two mattresses at KES 8400 for my children also to replace the old beddings that we had been using for a long time. As a family, we will now have a comfortable sleep with the new beddings. I also spent KES 9000 to pay for my children's school fees for them to continue with their studies without any interruptions. I spent the remaining amount to buy some family basic needs such as daily foodstuffs and to pay for some household expenses."
Jumwa's family
access_time over 4 years ago
Jumwa received a $542 initial payment.
"The transfer has enabled me to buy a cow and six sheep. I am proud to own this livestock because if I was to acquire them at my own cost, it would have taken me years to save enough money to buy any of these. I have been facing many challenges such as my children being sent home because I am unable to pay their school fees on time. At least I now have some assets to depend on in case of any financial need, which makes it be the biggest difference in my daily life. I am expecting them to reproduce and increase in number, from which I can sell the offspring and raise more cash to cater for my future financial needs. In addition to this, I will also be benefiting from the milk that the cow will be producing. I will sell the surplus and earn some cash."
Dama's family
access_time over 4 years ago
Dama received a $541 initial payment.
"The two dairy cows that I now own has really transformed my life in a big way. I have now started a business of supplying milk to the nearby trading centers. The business is now doing so well that, I can now clear all the bills in good time, including school fees, I don't have to strain much like before. Secondly, the remaining few liters are for my family's consumption, my children are now healthier than when I used to depend on casual jobs for a living. Thirdly I am now getting manure from the cow dung which I normally apply on my farm. I am nowadays assured of getting a good harvest. Previously, I used to buy fertilizer but sometimes I could not afford which always resulted in poor harvests. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for coming into my village. Being among the beneficiaries makes all the difference."
Haluwa's family
access_time over 4 years ago
Haluwa received a $541 initial payment.
"I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as iron sheets, building poles, nails, and timber. This was purposely for constructions of a new house. Previously I used to sleep under a small house with my two children, and I am a single parent and jobless I could not afford to construct one. I also paid the mason as his labor fee. I also bought some goats as one of my assets. I had to buy them because they mature faster compared to any other domestic animals. I then cleared school fees for my children since they had a huge fee balance. I then bought some household items such as a plastic tank, plastic, chairs and many more. The remaining amount of money I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and I."
school fees