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.
Grace's family
access_time 3 days ago
Grace enrolled.
"I am lucky that my two daughters are skilled in hairdressing. With the transfers from GiveDirectly, I will rejuvenate my dream of venturing into the business of hairdressing. I will plan KES 40000 as a starter capital. This will enable us tap more profits and uplift our family. I will also use KES 30000 to farm my land now that the planting season is approaching. With this, we will be able to have stable food for the family as well as family income. I will also plan to spend KES 10000 clears school fees arrears for my son."
Karisa's family
access_time 3 days ago
Karisa received a $26 twenty-second payment.
"With the onset of the rainy season, I've taken steps to maximize the farming potential of the available land. Allocating $30, I've had 11/4 acre of the land plowed for cultivation. My intention is to cultivate maize alongside cereals like beans and green grams. A successful harvest would not only ensure an abundance of food but also provide the opportunity to reinvest in additional livestock in the future. Recently, I acquired two goats for a total of $37, a decision I am pleased with as it promises profitable returns once they mature for sale. Moreover, I've allocated $30 towards school fees, covering the educational expenses of my two children and two siblings. It brings me great satisfaction knowing that this investment secures their continued access to education. Despite facing the challenge of unstable income, I am grateful for the assistance from the transfers, which enables me to provide for my family and pursue wealth accumulation through livestock investment."
Sheillah's family
access_time 3 days ago
Sheillah received a $26 eighteenth payment.
"The financial support from the transfers has empowered me to pursue my aspirations. Prior to joining the program, I relied heavily on my mother, whose income as a casual laborer was minimal. I'm grateful that the funds eased the burden on her, particularly concerning my school fees. Looking ahead, I plan to utilize the money to fund my college education and eventually embark on starting my own business. I am immensely grateful and satisfied with the assistance provided through the transfers."
Alice's family
access_time 6 days ago
Alice received a second payment.
"While I was at home doing laundry, I received a message notifying me of money from GiveDirectly. I was quick to share the amazing news with my husband, and his excitement and joy were written all over his face. We live with our three school going children and my husband and I do not have formal jobs but earn a living to support our family by burning and selling charcoal. Our earnings were barely enough to cater for our needs and also build a kitchen for us to cook in. Since we lacked a kitchen, I decided to use $250 of the transfer to build one. Previously, I had to cook outside, and rainy days were especially challenging because sometimes we would be forced to cook inside our little house and stuff the house with smoke, which was unhealthy for the children as we used firewood as cooking fuel. Now, having a kitchen means I can cook comfortably and store food safely, which brings me great happiness. I also used $140 to purchase four goats with hopes that they'll reproduce and eventually trade them for cows. Cow farming has always been my dream, as I hope to sell milk in my village. Furthermore, my children had outstanding school fees balance, and they were at risk of being sent home. To ensure their education wasn't disrupted, I allocated $120 to clear their fees for the term and this is a huge relief for me. I used the remaining funds from the transfer to purchase food and essential household items like soap and body oil."
Janet's family
access_time 7 days ago
Janet received a $341 second payment.
"My husband and I relied solely on charcoal production to sustain our daily lives and to provide for our ten children, four girls, and six boys. This was far from sustainable, as the scarcity of logs meant we could only manage to produce, at most, five bags of charcoal over 2 weeks. We sold these to brokers at a lower rate, sometimes $5 per bag or, at times, as low as $3.5. Our production was limited to using Prosopis trees, further contributing to the log shortage. Using any other type of tree was against the law, posing a great risk of arrest. This situation made it challenging to cover even basic expenses like school fees. Upon receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I allocated $250 to construct a house for my four daughters. Until then, my husband and I shared our living space with them, which was becoming less practical as they grew older. Meanwhile, my six sons resided in a separate house. The new one-roomed house for my daughters, complete with an iron sheet roof and mud walls, was a step towards ensuring privacy for my husband and me. Additionally, I utilized part of the funds to pay school fees for my two boys in secondary school $100 for one and the other $50. In addition, I spent $30 on second-hand clothes for my seven younger children and allocated the remaining $20 toward purchasing a few essential food items. Thank you GiveDirectly for your support."
Sidi's family
access_time 7 days ago
Sidi received a $26 eighteenth payment.
"Before the cash transfers come to an end, my goal is to establish a source of wealth that can continue to fund my children's education. I plan to achieve this by rearing livestock, particularly goats. I've already bought one goat, which has given birth to a kid, and my aim is to expand this herd whenever I have the opportunity to acquire more. In the future, I'm confident that I can sell them to help pay the school fees of my two children. I hope this dream becomes a reality because I'm not eager to return to making charcoal, as the activity is physically demanding."
Changawa's family
access_time 7 days ago
Changawa received a $26 twenty-second payment.
"Due to my chest complications, I can no longer work due to the pain and constant coughing. Now, my only hope of accumulating wealth in the meantime is through raising livestock, especially goats. I plan to keep these animals so that even after the cash transfers end, I can sell them to obtain cash and provide for my family's most immediate needs, such as food and school fees for the children."
Nyevu's family
access_time 7 days ago
Nyevu received a $26 eighteenth payment.
"I want to continue supporting the education of my two children, one in high school and the other in primary school. At the same time, I aim to build a new house since the current one has a damaged roof that leaks water whenever it rains. Fortunately, we recently harvested crops, easing our food concerns. As this alleviates the food constraints on the funds, I plan to use the cash transfers to address these two priorities of building a house and paying school fees. Additionally, if possible, I hope to start a business before the cash transfers end, one that can continue generating income even after the funds stop in the next couple of years."
Mwambire's family
access_time 7 days ago
Mwambire received a $26 twenty-second payment.
"The heavy rains at the end of last year destroyed my mud-walled house. It's not safe anymore because there's a big hole in the wall where cold and crawling animals can get in, and our belongings are at risk of theft. I need to build a new house to keep my family safe. For the past three months, I've been saving $20 each month to gather enough money to buy building poles and iron sheets. Since I'm skilled in construction, I only need a little help with labor, which won't cost much. I am relieved because, without the cash transfers, I'd struggle to afford these materials because my job barely covers our basic needs like food and school fees. The remaining $14 goes towards household expenses like food and sometimes buying stationery for my children when they need it."
Sidi's family
access_time 7 days ago
Sidi received a $26 eighteenth payment.
"I want to expand my goat herd; right now, I have four goats. Because I don't have a steady income, other than the monthly transfers, I believe that raising goats is the best way to build wealth to pay for my children's future school fees. I dream of all four of them going to university someday. As a widow, they rely on me, and I never want to let them down. I truly believe that growing wealth through raising livestock is the key to achieving this goal."
school fees