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.
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1 year ago
Karisa
received a $24 seventeenth payment.
"I have two children and when my wife was taken back to her home she went with them. They are soon becoming of school going age and I need them to bee at arms reach to ensure I am able to support them financially, mentally and physically. I want to clear my dowry debt to ensure that they get back as soon as possible. After I get my wife back, I would like to get a second hand motorbike which I hope to use to raise cash to take care of my family."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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1 year ago
Alvine
received a $306 second payment.
"In the coming year and beyond, my goals are clear. I aspire to invest in a better house, one that can provide my family with improved living conditions and comfort. Simultaneously, I want to expand our livestock farming activities. We heavily rely on livestock farming because the harsh climatic conditions in our region make it one of the most viable options for sustenance. While I may use some of the transfer to kickstart this expansion, I am determined to work diligently on my daily chores to steadily increase our goat herd, even beyond the support I am getting. These additional goats will prove invaluable, as they will not only contribute to our livelihood but also help meet other financial obligations in the future."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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1 year ago
Paul
received a $361 second payment.
"Currently, I am putting in consistent effort in casual labor while saving money in Nakuru town, all with the aim of acquiring a motorcycle to venture into taxi services. Looking ahead, my aspiration is to secure a motorcycle, which would serve as a means to generate additional income and ultimately provide essential support for my family of five's daily needs in the coming year and beyond."
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1 year ago
Gilbert
received a $307 third payment.
"Firstly, I used $280, to buy furniture for my home. This included a comfortable bed, cozy sofa seats, functional drawers, and a quality mattress. Before, my home lacked the basic furnishings that make life more comfortable. This upgrade has made my living space more pleasant and has also given me a sense of pride in my home. Next, I allocated $50 of the transfer to update my wardrobe. I had been making do with a limited number of clothes, mainly for my casual work. This investment allowed me to buy a variety of outfits suitable for different occasions. Having a proper wardrobe has boosted my self-confidence and made me feel more presentable in various aspects of life. Lastly, I spent $700 on food. This was a significant relief because, before the transfer, I often struggled to afford regular and nutritious meals. With this portion of the funds, I was able to stock up on essential food items and ensure that I could provide for myself and my family without the constant worry of going hungry."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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1 year ago
Rajab
received a $24 seventeenth payment.
"I plan on venturing into business, where I hope to open a wholesale shop. With casual labour I am usually not expecting income to come in all the time but with the business I will have an assured income. From this I believe I will be able to generate income sufficient to pay for my brother's entire school fees as well as take care of my young family and educate my children as they come of age to join school."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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1 year ago
Hamisi
received a $24 thirteenth payment.
"As I said earlier I do not make much from my business. I am an employed motorbike rider and I need to pay my employer $4 daily. I only end up making about $1.5 to $2 of my own daily which isn't enough to sustain the family. I spent my transfers on getting goats and chicken and my aim is to ensure that they become so many that I can sell them off and invest in getting my own motorcycle which will in turn increase my daily earnings."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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1 year ago
Jumaa
received a $24 thirteenth payment.
"After finishing my studies in 2010, I returned home and launched my garage business, specializing in repairing and selling motorcycle and bicycle spare parts. My main ambition is to expand my inventory and improve my family's quality of life, so I'm determined to save up for this goal."
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1 year ago
Cosmus
enrolled.
"Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge that I am currently facing in life. I do casual jobs earning approximately $30 per month which caters for food only. This has made me unable to enroll my four children to school due to lack of school fees."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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1 year ago
Francis
received a $376 initial payment.
"It was exactly noon when I was taking my lunch when I heard my phone ringing. Upon checking, I realized it was an M-Pesa notification from GiveDirectly. My heart skipped a beat as I read the message. In that moment, I couldn't help but smile as a flood of possibilities filled my mind. With this unconditional cash transfer, I knew I could finally repair my motorcycle, which had broken down months ago. That mortocycle was more than just a mode of transportation; it was my lifeline and my means of earning a living by transporting charcoal within the town center. As I looked at the message again, I felt a sense of hope and gratitude for the opportunities this unexpected blessing would bring into my life."
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1 year ago
Hamisi
received a $24 seventeenth payment.
"A few months ago, I found myself in a financial bind, having taken out a loan to purchase a motorcycle on credit due to a lack of available cash. Managing the debt had been a constant struggle until GiveDirectly stepped in with their much-needed financial assistance. The regular transfers they provided played a significant role in helping me chip away at my outstanding debts. With the most recent transfer, I was able to make a payment of $20, leaving just $50 left to clear. Beyond debt relief, GiveDirectly also allowed me to put $14.70 towards purchasing food for my family of three, alleviating the challenges we had faced in ensuring our basic needs were met. Their support has been a lifeline during these challenging times."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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