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.
Ibrahim's family
access_time 4 months ago
Ibrahim received a $23 twenty-first payment.
"I saved the transfers from September and October which went into the purchase of my two goats. The goats each went for $32 and I also paid for my transport to and from the place of purchase. For my November transfers I am yet to use them. My plan is to buy seeds for planting as well buying pesticides to be used once we are done with planting as well as medicine for my goats."
Mariam's family
access_time 4 months ago
Mariam received a $23 twenty-first payment.
"I have had a number of months where I have been focusing on the health of my family members. My child has been sick since last year and is required to attend clinics regularly while also getting a monthly dose of medicine. I spent my September transfer covering fare to the hospital which is quite far at $10, we paid for consultation at the hospital at $10 and later buying medicine at $4.5. I also had my mother who was ailing, she has also been sick for as long as I can remember having issues with her kidneys and head, I spent the money paying for X-ray, as well as buying medicine and also paying the hospital for consulting with us and this cost $30. The cash I had left in September bought food at $10. In November we had a wedding back home, I left my matrimonial home and went to my parent's place which I paid $4 in fare and I also bought 25KG of rice at $30 for the wedding."
Kahonzi's family
access_time 4 months ago
Kahonzi received a $23 twenty-first payment.
"GiveDirectly has been a tremendous blessing for my family. While my husband works as a casual laborer and I engage in farming, his income is often insufficient to support our family of four. The positive transformation in our circumstances is evident as we now have access to food, and we can provide financial support to our son who is currently studying medicine in college. From the received transfers, I allocated $57 to my son, enabling him to purchase food and other essentials while away at college. The remaining $45 was wisely saved in a savings club, with plans to utilize it in the coming year to purchase goats. This support has brought about a significant improvement in our lives, and I am genuinely happy and grateful for the positive change it has brought to our family."
Kadenge's family
access_time 4 months ago
Kadenge received a $23 twenty-first payment.
"I have been saving a good portion of my transfers over the last three months. I save $24 monthly and spend $10 on immediate needs in my home. I spent the $10 in September to get a few clothes seeing that the state of most of my clothes is that most are worn out. I bought them at $4. I spent $2 on buying medicine for my sick child, I spent $2 on vegetables and the remaining $2 on buying breakfast items for the children as they went to school. In October the remaining $10 went into buying sugar at $2, I spent the remaining $8 buying vegetables and pastries for the children for breakfast. In November I am planning on using the $10 in getting chicken from the local market this coming friday."
Omar's family
access_time 4 months ago
Omar received a $23 eighteenth payment.
"Looking ahead to the next year, I anticipate sending my recently completed high school son to college. He aspires to pursue a course in either medicine or law, following the release of his examination results. While I am uncertain about the financial feasibility of these courses, I am committed to supporting him to the best of my ability. I firmly believe that his college education will open opportunities for stable and well-paying employment, ultimately uplifting both him and the family from poverty."
Alphina's family
access_time 4 months ago
Alphina received a $295 second payment.
"My husband serves as a security guard, while I manage our household responsibilities, including tending to goats and various chores. We are fortunate to have one child. With my second transfer of $275, I strategically invested in a dairy cow, ensuring a sustainable supply of milk for our family. Furthermore, I enhanced the living conditions of our home by allocating $34 towards wiring in all the rooms, a valuable improvement. To address financial obligations, I repaid a loan amounting to $20. The well-being of our animals was also a priority, with $8 spent on purchasing animal medicine. In addition, I invested in the future by acquiring Mango seeds for $7. Prioritizing our immediate needs, $30 was spent on purchasing essential food items. Demonstrating foresight, $70 was set aside for savings, reflecting our commitment to long-term financial stability. This strategic allocation of funds represents a thoughtful and holistic approach to improving various aspects of our lives."
Kimoi's family
access_time 4 months ago
Kimoi received a $131 initial payment.
"I stay with my grandchild, and she keeps me company when school is closed. I feel happy that I won't be lonely until January when she'll be required to go back to school. To make our time together better, I used $50 from the GiveDirectly transfer on food like maize, milk, and beans. Before, I slept on a hard surface covered with old sacks and animal hide. Now, I am grateful because I bought a $130 mattress, and even though I don't have a bed yet, I am enjoying better sleep. I also bought a $20 storage box for packing clothes and important documents making my house organized and getting everything in place. I helped my other grandchildren with $30 for school fees and paid $10 rental charges for the plot where my house is. I have goats, and I spent $20 on deworming medicine for them. I saved the remaining $57 for any urgent needs in my household. I appreciate the support and look forward to what the next transfers can help with."
Elga's family
access_time 5 months ago
Elga received a $119 initial payment.
"I have five children, four of whom are in school right now. My youngest child, who is now 9 months old, has been suffering from heart problems, and I have spent days in the hospital seeking treatment for her. Recently, I have been visiting a referral hospital in Eldoret and buying expensive medicines from a nearby pharmacist, which has stretched my family's finances and prevented me from looking for additional casual jobs because I have been spending most of my time caring for my daughter. With casual labor being scarce and subsistence farming being unsustainable owing to severe weather conditions, I was desperate for any support and was relieved to receive it from GiveDirectly. I made a total payment of $120 on the same day of receipt, which allowed us to be freed from the hospital with some medication that has been helping my child recover since then. I also paid $40 to clear school arrears for my secondary school child, who had been at home for quite some time after being sent to collect the money, which I did not have at the time. I used the rest of the money to buy groceries for my family of seven."
Karisa's family
access_time 5 months ago
Karisa received a $23 twenty-second payment.
"After we had planted and harvested our crops, the cash transfers were not mostly constrained to food. So, I decided to allocate $25 to buy a goat. Thanks to the cash transfers I've received from day one, I now have three goats. I view these goats as assets that will help me meet my future needs, whether it's for food when I'm hungry or for medicine when someone in my family is sick. I also spent $5 on buying a shirt and trousers, and $4 on household expenses, particularly for toiletries. I engage in subsistence farming when it rains, and my son works as a casual laborer in house construction in town. He is the main provider for his four kids who stay with us back in the village. There was a time when he was struggling to cover the school fees for his children, so I supported him by paying $25 towards their tuition. This ensured they wouldn't risk missing school, and it allowed one of them to sit for his final primary school examination. Recently, another rainy season began, and I used $20 to plow my one-acre piece of land for planting. The remaining funds were used to purchase food supplies other than the maize that I harvested."
Paulina's family
access_time 5 months ago
Paulina received a $299 third payment.
"Certainly, the support from Givedirectly has set a positive trajectory for my life. Having addressed pressing needs, I now have the confidence that accessing medicine will be easier in the future. The financial stability provided by GiveDirectly allows me to concentrate on essential aspects like food and healthcare. Moreover, I've made a deliberate investment in my grandchild's education by ensuring she continues to enjoy a quality education. With the newfound financial stability, I'm optimistic that her academic journey will be smooth and impactful, providing her with the best possible learning experience until she completes her studies. The transformative impact of GiveDirectly extends beyond immediate needs, paving the way for a better and more secure future for us. I appreciate the opportunities this support has unlocked, and I am determined to make the most of them."
medicine