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.
Samini's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Samini enrolled.
"Having unreliable jobs in the minery makes my life hard. The pay is low of 400KES daily which is not enough to afford us regular meals,water and clothing. Our compound supply of water was disconnected due to arrears owned of 6,000 KES. This has resulted us to walk long distances to fetch water. Whenever, I get from tiring work from the minery and on top of that I have to walk long distances to fetch water,. It's exhausting and could affect my health."
Edina's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Edina enrolled.
"I am glad with this donation because it will assist me and my wife to buy necessary items that we lack here. Firstly, as you have seen, this house has no windows and this disturbs us during rains because water pours inside through the open spaces. Secondly, i will use this money to purchase a better sleeping place (blankets and duvets). Finally, some money will be used to strengthen my business, i cultivate and sale tobacco and maize therefore this money will also help boost my business."
Saumu's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Saumu received a $11 initial payment.
"My morning usually involves fetching water for home use as well as taking care of afew things within the compound. It was around 10 and I was making vegetables to eat when I heard my phone ring. I called onto my son who was home since I was unable to settle their debt in school fee arrears and asked him to check who it was, on checking he informed me that I had received the transfer that was promised by give directly. This was the happiest time of my life as I knew I would be able to sort my children out. I sent him since to withdraw the cash and slept with the cash. The next morning I proceeded to my kids school to make payments. I also knew that my children and I would have something to eat. We had had days when we had nothing for people to eat in the house but with this transfer I knew sorting out acouple of things was possible."
Stephen's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Stephen received a $27 third payment.
"I took a phone on my first transfer since I didn't have a phone to communicate with others as mine had gotten into water. Without a phone I felt like I was I the dark. Noe I am able to communicate with people as well as be informed. I am also able to get my money within good time. The rest of my first transfer went into reducing my son's schoold fees debt of 5000 shillings which is now 3000 since i paid 1200 shillings from the transfer and alittle more of 800 from my own earnings to the school. I used the second transfer to meet my goal which I have had for a while of starting a chicken business but I had no housing for the hens. I have bought 3 pieces or roofing sheets as at now the third transfer partially paid for wood as well as other biulding tools at 2500 shillings. I am hoping that the subsequent transfers will help finish the whole project. I used the remaining 500 shillings to buy food for myself and my family. I have had a problem raising money for my family for many basic things due to the scarcity of work which means that now I am unable to bring money to meet the basic needs home. I believe the transfers and the small business will help cover for this deficiency."
Nzingo's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Nzingo enrolled.
"The death of my husband was the genesis of misery and suffering in my family. I was later forced to raise my five children alone without the help of anyone. I have been struggling to raise my grandchildren too because my son relies on selling palm wine, which has not been reliable. On top of what my son does, I am planning to use 70,000KES to start a retail shop in the village. I will be selling commodities that is maize flour, wheat flour, laundry soap, cooking oil, painkillers, from my house so that I can save on the costs of renting a shop. I will use a further 10,000KES to bring tap water into my house for sale. Most of my village members are forced to travel longer distances to get water. With tap water in my compound, I will be able to sell and use the profits to educate my grandchildren."
Omar's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Omar enrolled.
"In my area, we have a water pan where people lease land to cultivate and irrigate using the water nearby. It has always been my ambition of acquiring that place and start my irrigation farm. Receiving this money means, goal accomplished. Leasing that land amounts to KES 4000 for three months, I will use 12,000 to acquire it for one year. Water must be pumped to your land, the pumping machine goes by KES 20,000. This will help me easily irrigate my crops, I aim to grow spinach, tomatoes, kales, and onions to supply to the two nearby secondary schools and the market day which is on Friday. Revenue from this scheme will help me pay school fees and buy food for my 3 children."
Frida's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Frida enrolled.
"My house is in a bad state because of ants that have been eating the polls. It got worse since it started raining last year because water gets inside the house and weakens the walls that making it more vulnerable to wind. I am also struggling to pay school fees for my son in high school. Lack of money is therefore my current challenge."
Catherine's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Catherine received a $485 initial payment.
"The biggest difference in my daily life after receipt of my first transfer is the acquisition of a water tank which is currently full after the onset of rains two days ago. In addition, clearing the school fee balance for my child has also been a great fulfillment."
Peter's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Peter received a $485 initial payment.
"I had just arrived from vending water around the village using my motorbike. I heard my neighbour narrating how they had received their transfer from GiveDirectly. Immediately, I received a call from my friend with whom we were enrolled together insisting I should check my phone since he had received his transfer too. After checking, I could believe what I saw on my phone, I had received KES 55000 in my account. I was very excited about receiving my transfer since I had never received such a huge amount of money in my life."
Kache's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Kache received a $485 initial payment.
"I was in my kitchen preparing breakfast for my family after coming back from fetching water at the nearby water pan. It was about 9 am when I received continuous messages alerts on my phone. I was with my daughter-in-law who examined my phone and informed me that I had received my transfer. I was extremely happy for receiving my transfer since I had eagerly waited for the aid to support my second-born son's education. He was about to join college to pursue a teaching course."
water