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.
Wesley's family
access_time 2 years ago
Wesley received a $475 initial payment.
"With a better share of my first transfer, I constructed a new kitchen that has so far served us well with an extra room that has provided a bed space for my children. I spent KES 25000 on sourcing all the materials including 15 iron sheets, building poles, timber, and nails. I also met the cost of delivery to the construction site and in addition, I paid the labor charges on the construction worth KES 5000. I later obtained a bed and other pieces of furniture worth KES 10000, new pairs of clothes for my family of seven at KES 9000, and also a large water container worth KES 2000. After a long time of using a lantern lamp that would exude a lot of fumes, I spent the remaining amount on obtaining solar lighting equipment that has enhanced the general lighting of my house and is also useful in the evening studies for my children."
Brenda's family
access_time 2 years ago
Brenda received a $475 initial payment.
"I am a mother of four and to feed my family I have been relying on my husband. He works as a quarry worker where he gets KES 1,500 per month. This normally helps in household consumption and school fees payment. When I received my transfers I spent KES 38,000 on the construction of a spacious and 20 Iron roofed modern house. This is because earlier on I used to live in a tiny 5 Iron roofed house with my husband and two young kids. My elder kids used to sleep in their grandma's. But through the transfers, the latest house can now accommodate all my family. Secondly, I spent KES 3,000 on a dairy goat and KES 800 on two chicken layers. These will help me during financial emergencies. Thirdly, I also bought a bag of maize at KES 3,500. Before GiveDirectly transfers, I used to buy two kilos of maize at KES 150. But since the arrival of the transfers, there are no more of these. Further, I spent KES 500 as a down payment for the solar lighting system. The daily repayment is KES 20 per day for one year. This has three lighting bulbs which help light the whole house, unlike the single light bulb I had before. Lastly, I spent KES 6,000 on the latest clothing fashion for my family majorly for special occasions. This is because earlier we could only afford second-hand clothes which would go for KES 100."
Mudhengi's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Mudhengi received a $10 initial payment.
"Solar Light have been of great importance in my home.I have children who prefer reading at night and with the kerosene going up ,it is expensive to use lamps.I had taken solar lights on credit and in small daily instalments am expected to pay KES 20,500.I used my transfer of KES 840 to pay for solar lights payment instalment of KES 60 for the next 14 days.I took the KES 300 which remained and bought food for my family of 9 members."
Juliana's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Juliana received a $479 second payment.
"When the transfers arrived, my priority was to purchase a good lighting system. This is because earlier I used the small D-light torch as a form of light for my family. This only lit a small area. I, therefore, spent KES 22,000 on a solar lighting system that lights the whole house. This helps my kids in their studies. Secondly, I spent KES 21,000 on a heifer. This is because the current one produces only produces 2 to 3 liters of milk a day therefore low income. But as soon as the heifer reproduces there will be increased milk production hence increased income for my family. Thirdly, I spent KES 15,000 on 20 Ironsheets for building my younger son a house. This is because currently my two sons are of marriageable age and still share a house. Therefore there is a need for each to have their own house. Fourthly, I spent KES 6,000 on a barbed wire fence to prevent my cows from straying into the farm. I also spent KES 4,500 on a wheelbarrow and a cattle spraying pump. This will help my husband in managing livestock easily. In addition, I spent KES 6,000 on three sofa seats and this has my house more comfortable. This is because before we used to seat on the locally made armchairs. Lastly, I spent KES 6,400 on two bags of maize and KES 4,000 on clothing. This has helped reduce my household expenditure. This is because earlier on I used to work as a vegetable and beans vendor to feed my family."
Joseph's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Joseph received a $481 initial payment.
"I have worked as a livestock broking agent for the past five years. The income from this is majorly used for household consumption. Additionally, I have been doing small-scale farming of maize and beans also for food purposes. During enrollment, my priority was building a modern and more spacious Kitchen. Therefore on the arrival of the transfers. I spent KES 30,000 on building a 24 Iron roofed two-roomed house. Of this KES 15,000 was used on 24 Iron sheets, KES 8000 was used on construction trees, and KES 7000 on labor costs. This is because the kitchen I had was old, tiny with rusty Iron roofed, and was built in 2005. In addition, I also acquired a solar lighting system at KES 8000. This is cheaper as compared to the costly kerosene lantern lamps we normally use for lighting. Lastly, I used KES 7,000 on the partitioning of my land for crop farming. The rest I have saved for medical purposes because I normally do monthly medical checks for my blood pressure and blood sugar conditions."
Mary's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Mary received a $481 initial payment.
"I have worked as a fresh and sour milk vendor for the past 30 years. This has helped me to invest in savings groups from which I have bought goats which I later can be sold for a dairy cow. I am also a farmer of sukuma wiki and maize which I normally supply to school to act as fees for my kids. My major issue before GiveDirectly was the lack of clean drinking water. Therefore, when I received my transfers I spent KES 23,000 on the purchase and installation of a 2,300 liters water tank. This has helped in the storage of clean rainy water which is fit for consumption. Earlier on we used to travel long distances to get clean drinking water. This is because the water from the nearby rivers is unfit for consumption and the rivers are seasonal and dry up during long dry seasons. Additionally, I bought a solar lighting system at KES 8,000. This has helped light my house, especially during night hours. It has also helped my children do their studies comfortably at night without straining. Furthermore, I bought two mattresses and two blankets at KES 6,000. As a result, I sleep nowadays comfortably and I am grateful. Lastly, after repaying a maize debt of KES 6,000, I bought a bag of maize at KES 3,600. Though the bag is almost exhausted the remainder will help sustain my family for the next two weeks."
Alphonso's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Alphonso received a $277 fourth payment.
"In my opinion opinion, Givedirectly has helped improved the lives of poeple in this community. Through Givedirectly cash support, our community is now electrified over night. People are building new houses and electrifying them with solar light. I personally want to be grateful to Givedirectly for the cash support. My children were out of school for tuition payment but through Givedirectly transfer, I was able to pay all their school fees. Thanks to Givedirectly for the cash support. Everything Givedirectly is doing in this village is unique and doesnot need improvement."
Chengo's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Chengo received a $27 fifth payment.
"I spent a portion of the money from the transfer to pay for solar lights that I purchased on hire purchase. I am happy that my children can study well during the night. Unlike before, my house is well lit and my expense have reduced since I no longer buy paraffin for my lanterns. In addition, I spent KSH 250 to cater for a three-day meal for my child, who was sitting for his final primary examinations. He could do his exams well and we are looking forward to him having excellent results. Because of the drought, I no longer work on the farm and have made it difficult to provide food for my family. The money from the transfer was a major boost for me as I bought food and they have not slept hungry since then."
Wilson's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Wilson received a $482 initial payment.
"Before GiveDirectly, I owed many people. As a result, I used to have sleepless nights because creditors would come to my house very early each morning for their money. Most times, I used to leave my house early in the morning and at times my wife would lock me in the house to hide me from persistent creditors. Luckily, when GiveDirectly came I used KES 30,000 in repayment of long-standing debts dated two years back. As a result, I and my family have peace and can sleep well void of stress. Furthermore, KES 15,000 was spent on a heifer as an addition to the dairy cow I had. This is because it will soon reproduce and be a source of milk and income for my family Thirdly, I also bought a solar lighting system at KES 10,000. This has helped light my house, especially at night, and has helped my kids to study comfortably. their studies. Additionally, I used KES 4000 to purchase sofa set cushions because I had seats already. KES 3000 was also spent on a 210 liters water container which now helps store lots of water, especially during rainy seasons. Lastly, I spent KES 6000 on two bags of maize which will sustain my family for a longer time. Before we used to buy food daily from daily casual labor income but GiveDirectly has relieved us."
Richard's family
access_time over 2 years ago
Richard received a $467 second payment.
"The dark village that was marked by small grass-thatched huts with latent lamps that would only be lighted late in the evening due to the high cost of kerosene has completely changed and lighted up but the solar lighting system that many obtained after the transfers. In my opinion, GiveDirectly did great work by allowing us to spend the money in addressing the challenges we had without it getting involved in planning. I have no complaints and have not gotten any complaints from the villagers towards GiveDirectly. We are thankful for every step that we have taken in transforming our living standards."
solar light