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.
Roy's family
access_time 16 days ago
Roy received a $324 third payment.
"GiveDirectly has truly changed our lives for the better. I've achieved things I never thought possible. I've managed to fence my farm, which was a huge challenge before. They've also helped with the water problem by providing a tank for my home. Now, I can store water easily, which has eased the burden of water scarcity. I have no complaints about GiveDirectly's current programs, and I don't have any recommendations for changes."
Kahunda's family
access_time 16 days ago
Kahunda received a $25 eighteenth payment.
"I have always desired a chance to build a new house. Mine is in a poor state. The grass-thatched roof has decayed over the years, and the big holes in it allow water in when it rains. I would have loved to build a new house when I started receiving cash transfers, but I was constrained by the school fees of my son Baraka. At that moment, I would have rather slept in a damp space than see my son miss school due to unpaid school fees. I am happy that he recently completed primary school, scoring a whopping 370 marks, which earned him a government sponsorship for his high school education. With this relief, I can go back to my goal of building a better house; one with an iron sheet roof and mud walls. I hope to start saving some of the cash transfers to effect this course."
Kesi's family
access_time 17 days ago
Kesi received a $25 twenty-second payment.
"I earn a living by selling charcoal to support my family of eight. Life was incredibly tough before, with a severe drought lasting over five years that severely impacted our harvests, making it difficult to access food and water. The arrival of GiveDirectly brought immense relief, especially since it allowed me to provide food for my family and pay for my children's school fees. I allocated all my transfers totaling $102 towards school expenses, prioritizing education as it empowers my children to improve their future prospects. As someone who didn't have the opportunity to attend school, witnessing my children's education fills me with immense joy, knowing they will have better opportunities. I am deeply grateful for this assistance, which has transformed our lives for the better."
Karisa's family
access_time 18 days ago
Karisa received a $25 eighteenth payment.
"I acquired two hens for $2 each and a goat for $40, supplementing the remaining $8 from my savings. The goat has since multiplied, proving to be a fruitful investment of which I am immensely proud. Last year, I allocated $15 towards the plowing of half an acre of land using a tractor, preparing it for farming. I am pleased to report a successful harvest of two 90 kg bags of maize, sufficient to sustain my family of three for the next four months. Prior to the maize harvest, a significant portion of my $53 transfer was utilized in procuring essential provisions such as food, water, and firewood. Given my wife's mental health challenges and my granddaughter's physical limitations, neither of whom can engage in manual labor, relying on purchases for necessities like water is our only viable option. I am profoundly grateful for the assistance provided by these transfers, which have enabled us to access these crucial services."
Chizi's family
access_time 18 days ago
Chizi enrolled.
"My priority is to ensure I connect piped water to my home. This will give me comfort since I will be able to get water directly at my doorstep unlike at the moment when I buy from my neighbour a distance of 0.5 kilometers which I find hard for my age. To ensure this comes to a reality, I will use $300 of the transfers on this water project. On the other hand, I intend to repair my house's walls and floor to make it strong since it's so weak and during rains, the walls fall down. Also I plan to construct a decent toilet because I currently used some rugs to surround the pit, and I call it my toilet. What a shame! I estimate the cost of all these to be $600. The remaining amount will help me to buy a new bed and a mattress to replace the old ones. Hence, this is basically what receiving this money means to me."
Jumwa's family
access_time 18 days ago
Jumwa received a $25 eighteenth payment.
"As a housewife, my daily responsibilities include tending to our livestock, preparing meals for my six children, and maintaining our household, while my husband works in Mombasa to support our family. Previously, we faced significant challenges in covering school fees, often relying on my husband's income, which led to delays and uncertainties. However, with the assistance of these transfers, I have been able to make substantial improvements in our lives. These funds have empowered me to make crucial investments, including purchasing a water storage tank and installing electricity in our home. Additionally, I've utilized a portion of the transfers to ensure that all our children receive an education and even expanded our livestock holdings by acquiring three goats. From the transfers received, I allocated $20 towards paying school fees and another $14 for buying food supplies as we were running low. Furthermore, I saved $20 in our local savings club to be used in case of an emergency. Another $14 was used to purchase new uniforms for the children. The remaining $34 was invested in acquiring a bed for myself, replacing the discomfort of sleeping on the floor. Witnessing these positive transformations in my life brings me immense happiness and gratitude."
Patrick's family
access_time 20 days ago
Patrick received a $317 second payment.
"We rely on rainwater for our one-hectare farm, which I have already prepared. It is currently waiting for rain. That land is insufficient for growing both food and income crops, so I intended to rent an additional one hectare to make it sufficient. If my crops are profitable, I will use the money earned to buy cows and sheep, which will be a long-term investment because they multiply. If any money remains over, I will use it to construct a nice home for my children. The current one they reside is not in good condition."
Duncan's family
access_time 21 days ago
Duncan received a $24 twenty-second payment.
"Due to a poor harvest in the last farming season, we have depleted our stored food and are now reliant on purchasing all our food items. This situation has led me to spend approximately $20 of my monthly transfers on foodstuff in recent months, ensuring my family does not suffer from hunger. As a motorcycle taxi operator, my income is modest and barely enough to support my large family, so I have become increasingly reliant on the transfers for our basic needs. During drought seasons like now, we also have to budget for water, which can cost as much as $5 per week which sometimes I budget for using the transfers . Additionally, the transfers have also been of help whenever unexpected expenses arise, such as last month when I was involved in a minor accident while working. The entire amount of my transfers was used to cover my medical expenses. Without these funds, I likely would not have been able to afford the necessary medical care, as I had no savings at the time."
Mercyline's family
access_time 21 days ago
Mercyline received a $24 eighteenth payment.
"In the coming year, my main goal is to use the GiveDirectly cash transfers on rebuilding our house, which has become too small for our growing family. It's equally in a bad state, whenever it rains, water seeps in from the ground. If all goes well with my current business, I will open a saloon to diversify my sources of income—an endeavor I've long desired. The thought of the transfers fills me with boundless gratitude, and each time I receive the cash, my joy knows no bounds."
Jumwa's family
access_time 22 days ago
Jumwa received a $24 eighteenth payment.
"My biggest concern is building a new house. The current house is in poor condition, and it has been damaged over time. The mud walls have weakened, and the iron sheets have corroded, letting in water whenever it rains, making the space damp. I have been saving some funds from the transfers for this purpose, and I hope I will have achieved a substantial amount in a year. I have also started rearing chickens, and I hope they will have grown a bigger flock in one year so that I can sell them to support the house construction."
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