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.
Mwakamusha's family
access_time 2 days ago
Mwakamusha received a $26 fourteenth payment.
"Over the past three months, I've invested $76 in purchasing three goats. My ultimate aim is to let them reproduce and eventually exchange them for cows. I believe that owning cattle will fetch higher prices, providing me with the financial security I need to navigate any future challenges, such as supporting my five siblings' education. Our parents, who are our main providers, often struggle to make ends meet. They rely on charcoal-making, which is physically demanding, time-consuming, and unreliable for covering all our needs, including food and school fees. To ensure uninterrupted education for my siblings and myself, I sometimes pitch in by paying school fees. This is why I spent $19 to settle some debts. Seeing our progress well in our education fills me with happiness. Additionally, I allocated $7 to purchase new attire, replacing my worn-out clothes from repeated use."
Sabina's family
access_time 8 days ago
Sabina enrolled.
"The recent changes in Kenya's economy have family hard. The prices of basic commodities such as food have increased, making it difficult for us to afford our daily needs. As a family of five, we rely on charcoal burning as our main source of income, earning $5 per bag. On a good month, I can harvest up to 10 bags, which we use to buy food and pay for our children's high school fees. But it is not easy. Charcoal burning is physically demanding and highly competitive, especially since it seems like everyone in the Ng'ambo sublocation is doing it too. And to make matters worse, the middlemen involved in the business often exploit us, driving down our profits even further. I am worried about the future of this job. It is becoming increasingly tiresome and less lucrative, and the market conditions are not helping either. I know I need to find a solution soon before things get even worse for my family. It will not be easy, but I am determined to find a way to provide for my family and secure a better future for us all."
Peter's family
access_time 9 days ago
Peter enrolled.
"Receiving this money means the world to my family of five, especially considering the challenges we face with food security. This transfer brings a sigh of relief and hope for better days ahead. Upon receiving the transfers,first and foremost, I intend to spend $50 towards purchasing food for my family. Ensuring that we have enough to eat is a top priority, and this will help alleviate some of the immediate concerns about food security. Next, I plan to spend $50 on clothing, ensuring that my family has the necessities to stay warm and comfortable. Additionally, I will spend $100 towards purchasing furniture, which will greatly improve our living conditions and overall comfort as I currently have one. Furthermore, I will invest in goats, as I believe they will provide a sustainable income source for my family. Goats breed quickly, and their prices appreciate during peak times. Moreover, the climate in our area favours their growth, making them a suitable investment option. Through this investment, I hope to secure our financial stability and provide a sense of security for my family."
Arnold's family
access_time 23 days ago
Arnold received a $24 twenty-fifth payment.
"My goal was and still remains to educate my children with this transfers. I would probably be unable to get any of them to school if I depended on my income entirely. The increase in fuel prices have reduced our profits greatly which means that whatever we make cannot do much back at home. My goal is to ensure my oldest who is in their last year of high school to complete school and the siblings that are right after to also have a similar chance to clear school. I also would like to restart the business for my wife that she was previously doing of selling food but on this I am dependent on my earnings."
Duncan's family
access_time 23 days ago
Duncan received a $315 second payment.
"From my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I allocated $100 towards paying the school fees for my two children, reducing their arrears by $50 each. We have two children in elementary school level and one in secondary school. My wife and I engage in crop production to sustain our family. Additionally, we operate a posho mill business. I invested in 5 bags of maize costing $150, to further boost this business. It has proven to be a valuable supplement to our crop production, which can be unreliable due to occasional water shortages. Although we rely on irrigation, the nearby river is seasonal. However, I ensure timely planting to minimize losses and sometimes relocate my farming activities to a location near a permanent river, where I rent land. Our primary crops are maize and beans. Unfortunately, the lack of a storage facility has been a challenge, forcing us to sell our produce immediately, often at minimal profit margins. This situation also limited our ability to reserve food for future use, as improper storage could lead to spoilage. I spent $200 from the transfer, with some building materials I had previously purchased to construct a store. The store is now complete. It will enable us to store our farm produce, keep some for our consumption, and sell the surplus when market prices are more favorable. For instance, a 90kg sack of maize can sell for up to $50 during the off-season, compared to $30 or less during peak season. I am grateful to GiveDirectly."
Daisy's family
access_time 1 month ago
Daisy received a $307 third payment.
"I spent $33 from the support to finish building our toilet. I had already bought the materials with my second transfer. Sharing toilets with neighbors was a problem, especially when they locked it, leaving us without access. I was particularly awkward when we had guests. Furthermore, I invested $100 in farming our one-acre land, allocating $60 for plowing and $40 for buying vegetable seeds and pesticides. Focused on vegetables, including black nightshade, collard greens, and spinach. I've always worked as a farmer, but I never had enough money to start planting on my own. Previously, I did contract farming under Kenya Seed Company. With the funds from GiveDirectly, I chose to work independently. I didn't go wrong venturing into vegetable farming because of its ready market and good returns. Brokers visit our farm to purchase produce at fair prices: a 90kg bag of black nightshade and spinach sells for $45, and collard greens for $36. Education is a priority for our seven children. One of them joined a private secondary school, so I used the remaining funds and some of my savings to pay the $600 required for my son's admission into Form One. We never completed our education, explaining why we don't have formal jobs. We are committed to ensuring our children have a better future. Before the support from GiveDirectly, We depended on making charcoal for our farming capital which we no longer do. We now focus on our successful crop production to support our family."
Mwande's family
access_time 1 month ago
Mwande received a $24 twenty-sixth payment.
"I am a single mother of three and my life has been able to move because of the transfers I receive. My husband and I went our separate ways when my youngest was less than a year old. He ran a shop and was our source of finances. I would make pastries and sell from his shop but our separation meant I could no longer continue making money that way. Thanks to Givedirectly transfers I had the finances to start a business, I began it at the town centre but later moved due to high rent prices to a more country side location. I have been able to reinvest in the business from my transfer and I have recently injected $34 to the business. I also have joined village saving groups which I recently sent $30 to. I paid $15 for my child in grade 3 and bought her uniform at $5. I also use the transfers occasionally for food and I spent $10 on food."
Rukia's family
access_time 1 month ago
Rukia received a $22 eighteenth payment.
"I had initially planned to purchase two cows with my share of the merry-go-round I joined last year, intending to enhance our farming capabilities, particularly for ploughing purposes. However, I was only able to acquire one due to the unexpected increase in market prices, costing me $185. Nonetheless, I am determined to procure the second cow with my upcoming share in June this year. Once both cows are in our possession, my family will be able to cultivate a larger portion of our vast, currently underutilized land, leading to higher yields. The surplus harvest will provide an additional source of income for us. Furthermore, the bulls will open up new business opportunities, such as offering plowing services to neighboring farmers who cannot afford tractor charges. Since bull-driven ploughs charge $5 less, they are highly preferred by locals in the region. Upon securing the second bull, I plan to invest in acquiring hairdressing skills using the transfers. With these skills, I aim to establish a salon that will also serve as a boutique, providing a diversified and sustainable source of income for the long term. This strategic approach ensures not only agricultural expansion but also the establishment of a thriving business venture, laying the foundation for financial stability and prosperity for my family."
Furaha's family
access_time 2 months ago
Furaha received a $22 eighteenth payment.
"In November, I allocated my entire $34 transfer to enlist the help of friends and neighbors in weeding the three-acre maize farm. I am pleased to report a bountiful harvest, sufficient to sustain us until June, alleviating the need to purchase maize flour at exorbitant prices. During the festive season, I utilized another $34 to purchase new clothing for my four children, bringing immense joy to their hearts. Additionally, I procured new attire for myself, supplementing my modest wardrobe and boosting my confidence in appearance. Furthermore, I enrolled my four-year-old daughter in nursery school, investing $14 in her education. As a contented parent, I anticipate the invaluable knowledge she will acquire, paving the way for a brighter future. My heartfelt gratitude extends to the transfers, which have significantly improved my quality of life."
Targok's family
access_time 2 months ago
Targok received a $277 third payment.
"When I received the final batch of the three transfers, I was battling with my health, but thankfully, I managed to use part of the funds to access the necessary medication costing $50, which helped restore my well-being. With $100 allocated for food, I purchased essential items like a sack of dry maize grains, 10 kg of beans, rice, and milk, ensuring sustenance for my family of three, which sometimes expands when my grandchildren visit. Subsistence farming has become increasingly challenging due to recurrent droughts, prompting us to explore alternative sources of income, including sporadic casual labor opportunities and goat farming, which has become our mainstay. Currently, I oversee a herd of 20 goats, some of which belong to my children. Despite initially intending to purchase three additional goats with $300 from the last transfer, I opted to wait for a potential drop in prices, anticipating that many parents will sell their livestock to cover school fees expenses. Goats, renowned for their resilience and ability to thrive on minimal resources, remain our preferred investment choice, serving as a symbol of gratitude for the support received from GiveDirectly. I am thankful for the assistance and remain optimistic that our plans will materialize as planned."
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