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.
Sidi's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Sidi enrolled.
"I live with my daughter who gave birth to a premature son, we are always in hospitals, to help him, we spend so much on transport, medicine and we hardly have anything left for food in the family. I sold all my chicken and am livestock and am left with 2 goats, all this was channelled to his medications and am grateful that he has show such a big improvement."
Theresa's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Theresa received a third payment.
"I purchased three bundle of zinc and it was added to the two bundle I had in stock and the total is five bundle, five packs of zinc nails, five packs of steel nails. And I also paid my three children fees, I bought 25kg rice, fertilizer and medicine for my cocoa farm."
Zawadi's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Zawadi received a $10 initial payment.
"Ever since I was 3 years old, I have battled a strange illness where I often fall unconscious. I have visited different hospitals but I have never had a solution to the illness. The medicine I am given to suppress the conditions is very expensive and I cannot afford to buy them every month due to the poor financial state we are currently in. My tribulations with the illness came to a high when I was in class 3 and this forced me to drop out of school. Since then, I have stayed at home and helped my mother with light house chores (washing utensils, cooking, and washing clothes). My mother’s earnings (100 per day) from the manual jobs (fetching water for pay and selling firewood) are not enough to support the family (Mother and 5 siblings). Often we sleep on empty stomachs or survive on one meal per day when we cannot get money. Therefore, when I received my transfer of KES 1200, I spent it all on buying food. This was to avoid starvation amongst my family members."
Sidi's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Sidi received a $26 second payment.
"Since October last year, when I accidentally broke my legs while grazing livestock, I have been in and out of the hospital seeking proper medical care. I fully depend on my only son, who is a” Matatu” tout after the demise of my other four children. Due to my condition (can’t walk), I interrupt his work schedule since he has to take some time off during the afternoon to come back home and take care of me (cock food and administer some medicines). This has heavily affected his income and often lacks money for my medication and for buying food. Therefore, when I received my transfer, I spent KES 2000 to pay hospital bills after some check-ups by the doctor. Besides spending the money on medication, I bought 8 packets of maize flour for food. Buying the food in bulk will ensure I have a continuous food supply in my house."
Fatuma's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Fatuma enrolled.
"My house has a grass thatched roof and when it rains it leaks. During rainy seasons my children get sick a lot, especially from the cold that causes pneumonia. My financial status has made it impossible for me to repair the current house or even put up a new structure. When we a nearing the rainy season stress and frustrations are my daily medicine because of too much thinking. My priority is to first put up a good house no matter how small it is so that my family can sleep comfortably when it rains. The project will cost around 30,000 KES, I will also spend 20,000 KES to buy two mattresses and beds, 5,000 KES will help towards my children's fee payment and then the remaining amount will assist in buying food, clothes, or even medication when needed. Receiving these transfers means decent leaving conditions for my family and good education for my children too."
Lucy's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Lucy enrolled.
"If I'm successful to receive this transfer from GiveDirectly, I will use the money to build a house and start a business. When I graduated from Tubman University in November 2020, I started a volunteer job at Momaken clinic in December 2021. I also treat community dwellers privately. The money I earn from the private treatment I give to some community dwellers is what am sustaining on and is not enough to build a house and start a business of my own. I want to build a house and attached a pharmacy to it where I will be selling drugs to the community dwellers instead of them going to Kanweaken to buy medicines when the nurses prescribed drugs for them to buy."
Kahaso's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Kahaso enrolled.
"Constant headaches and swelling on my body has denied me peace for long. Sometimes my body gets itchy and starts swelling and this comes with pain. I have sought some help from different hospitals in town without success. Getting the desired medicine comes with lots of costs making it unaffordable."
Jumaa's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Jumaa received a $10 initial payment.
"Two days preceding the day transfers were sent, by bad lack I got involved in a road accident as I was riding my motorcycle. When I received my transfer, I spent the whole of it on my medication. Despite the fact that I am still experiencing some pain, as a result of the transfer, I have been able to register some improvement in my life. Without the transfer, I would have not been able to buy medicine since I did not have any amount of money saved for such an emergency need."
Pendo's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Pendo enrolled.
"In the last seven years, I have consistently been sick. Sometimes back, I was diagnosed with heart complications, I struggled to raise funds to get better medical attention but it has not been possible. This condition has made it difficult for me to engage in any economic activities. It is sad that sometimes I collapse and faint as people watch helplessly. When this happen some neighbours ferry me to the nearby health center where I get some medicines but I have never fully recovered. Upon receiving the cash transfers, I will use KES 40000 to seek advanced medical attention so that I can fully recover and become economically active."
Rose's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Rose received a $478 initial payment.
"I spent KES 48000 of my first transfer on starting a kiosk business that I am currently operating in the village. I have now been selling maize color, cereals, vegetables, sugar, and all sorts of essential household foodstuff. Initially, I did not have any job but my prayer was to be an entrepreneur and I thank God this is accomplished. To add to that I bought medicine worthy of KES 5000 for my spouse who was diagnosed with colon cancer a few months ago. I am happy that the money came at a good time since it was his review date and we did not have enough cash to facilitate the medication. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household needs."
medicine