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.
Langat's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Langat received a $461 initial payment.
"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been in a position to invest in livestock. This had always been my dream it I did not have the money to invest. Majorly we plant maize and vegetables in our area. The produce that we get is for consumption. We rarely get the surplus to sell so that we can earn some income. When I received the transfer I felt so happy and grateful because I was in a position to fulfilled my dream. I have an ox. I plan to sell after a period of one year at a higher price. I will use the proceed to purchase a dairy cow. My family will get enough milk unlike now. The goats rearing project is also one of the best investments since goats reproduce twice per year and have a higher rate of return. I am so grateful because I have invested the transfer on this project. I will sell them when they reproduce in the future and used the money on purchasing dairy cows. I intend to majorly invest in the dairy keeping project. This is mainly to be my source of income apart from other casual jobs that I usually do. I am so grateful for the support because were it not GiveDirectly all this could have taken quite some time to happen."
Agnes's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Agnes received a $461 initial payment.
"Upon withdrawing the money, the first thing was to settle school fee balances and arrears for my four lower primary children who were regularly sent home for the same. Therefore, I paid KES 2700.00 to their school. Thereafter, I opted to complete the roofing of my second house which I had already started constructing. I bought 13 pieces of iron sheets for KES 12400.00, some roofing timbers for KES 1600.00, and a labor charge of KES 2500.00. The aim of building the second house is because the one I had was too small to accommodate my family thus opted to build another one so that the children could have their own house. By so doing I would retain my respect and guard my privacy as a parent. I also bought three goats for KES 9000.00 intending to keep them to procreate and once they increase in number I would be selling them for profit. Besides buying a bed and mattress for KES 9500.00 because I used to sleep on boxes on the floor and I desired something better, I also bought two sacks of maize for food. This is because our area was faced with drought and we were unable to harvest anything from our farms. For the remaining amount, I opted to save it for family use."
Nyevu's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Nyevu received a $26 second payment.
"I received my first transfer when I was sick and could not readily raise money for my medication. I am happy that I was treated through the money in a private hospital where services are better. Upon receiving the second transfer, I spent Ksh. 2000 on buying a goat that I am currently rearing on my homestead. I am expecting it to reproduce and increase in number. This is an asset that I can readily rely on in case of a financial need. I will sell the offspring to settle my future financial needs. Lastly, I spent Ksh. 1000 on buying adequate foodstuffs that could take us some weeks."
Nyevu's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Nyevu received a $26 sixth payment.
"I spent my recent transfers on paying school fees for my grandchildren. They were almost discontinued because I could not pay their fees on time. I am glad that they were allowed to continue with their studies after clearing the fee arrears. I have also been saving Ksh. 500 in our savings group every month I receive a transfer. I am planning to use these savings to buy some goats to keep in my homestead. I spent the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs which include maize flour and daily vegetables for my family. This ensured that food was readily available and taking three meals a day was no longer a challenge to me. Before the transfers, I had to skip meals since the food we had was not enough for us all."
Faith's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Faith received a $462 initial payment.
"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have accomplished my dream of purchasing a dairy cow within a short period. This is a big relief because I would no longer worry about where I would get money of purchasing milk daily. Additionally, I started a goat rearing project and I am hopeful that I would be able to earn an extra income with it soon. I am forever grateful for the support that uplifted my life tremendously."
Victoria's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Victoria received a $462 initial payment.
"For so many years I desired to have a nice place to sleep. I have been sleeping on a small broken traditional bed covered with a mat which was not comfortable but due to the poverty level, I had no option. My main source of income was from making and selling charcoal which could not even sustain my family in terms of food provision. When I withdrew the money, I first bought a bed and a mattress for KES 9000.00 and KES 8000.00 respectively so that if I sleep I also feel like a human being. I also paid KES 5000.00 school fees plus some arrears for my two primary school children who were regularly on their way home for fees. As of now, they are settled in school. Thereafter, I decided to do an investment in livestock. I bought five gala goats who were already pregnant at KES 5000.00 each. The aim was to keep them and once they procreate, I would be selling the young ones once they mature for the family's upkeep. For the remaining amount, I bought food for the family."
Kadzo's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Kadzo received a $462 initial payment.
"I spent part of my first transfer on paying school fees of KES 3000 for my three children in primary school. The money came in good time because they were about to be sent home due to the arrears. I later two goats at KES 4000 which are the only living assets that I can lean on in case of any financial crisis. Apart from that, I bought building poles, iron sheets and nails at KES 36000. I had intended to construct a new house because the previous one was single-roomed and could not accommodate all my five children. It is now a relief for us because we have been sheltering comfortably under one roof. I spent the remaining amount to buy food for the family."
Mary's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Mary received a $462 initial payment.
"I spent KES 30000 of my first cash transfer on paying fees for my son who recently joined college pursuing a welding course, and another one in secondary school. I am so happy to accomplish all these because they were all at home due to the arrears. To add to that, I bought two goats worthy of KES 6000. I opted for them because they can thrive so well in my region and their pasture is readily available. This is an assurance that they will increase in number within a short period. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household needs."
Phylister's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Phylister received a $462 initial payment.
"I spent part of my first transfer on buying a goat of worthy KES 5000. It has been my wish to own it for years but I could afford it because they were costly. I also bought a bed and a mattress at KES 14000 to replace the old beddings which I was not comfortable with. I paid school fees of KES 5000 for my son who is in high school. I am so glad that he is now continuing with his studies without any disturbances. I also settled a debt of KES 10000 to my neighbour and I now have peace of mind. Later on, I bought two bags of cement so that I can renovate my floor and reduce the dust. I also used the remaining amount of money to buy food for my family."
Gilbert's family
access_time over 1 year ago
Gilbert received a $462 initial payment.
"Our lives have improved since we started receiving the transfers. The construction of a new house for my family is so far the biggest difference in my daily life. I did not foresee such a great transformation coming before receiving this money. For all the years that I have worked I could not even own a goat worth KES 2500 not to speak of affording KES 31000 to construct a better house. We lived from hand-to-mouth and in most cases, we ate to fill our tummies and not get the required nutrients for the body. I am great full for the support and so are the rest of my family members."
goat