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.
Karisa's family
access_time 2 years ago
Karisa enrolled.
"A grass thatched, mud walled house without windows neither a demarked door is the kind of a house I have been habilitating since I married about twenty years ago. Apart from the house being small, it leaks making it insecure during rains. I have five children with more than fifteen grandchildren who seldom pay a visit due to lack of accommodation. With the GiveDirectly transfers, I will be glad to erect a two bedroom iron roofed house which will cost approximately 80 000KES. Once am done with the house, I intend to buy three goats with an intension of selling them once they multiply and venture into cattle keeping."
Kadzo's family
access_time 2 years ago
Kadzo enrolled.
"My nights have been frightful. Think of sleeping in a 3m by 4m house house, congested with all sorts of items, from beddings to utensils.The house lacks a door shutter yet we are surrounded by bushes which harbour dangerous animals including poisonous snakes. I have several times killed snakes trying to seek shelter with me. This experience has made me yearn for a better house and it will be realized upon receiving my first transfers. With 40 000 KES, I will joyful renovate the roof and install a metallic door shutter to help curb my horrific nights."
George's family
access_time 2 years ago
George received a $277 second payment.
"All my both payments was spend on my building materials Zinc and (20)twenty Cements with others very important things."
Mlombi's family
access_time 2 years ago
Mlombi enrolled.
"My husband and I rely on charcoal production as a source of income. The job is energy-draining and the returns are not sufficient for all the basic needs of the family. In a month I ean KES 4000 which goes into repaying food items that I took on credit. Due to this, I have been struggling to improve the livelihood of my family. Sometimes, We have to spend the whole day without food hence food insecurity is still the major challenge that I am currently facing in my household."
Salome's family
access_time 2 years ago
Salome enrolled.
"My husband and I depend on his wage from casual labor. He earns KES 300 per day and the job is not reliable. All the income goes into purchasing food only. This has made it extremely hard to save adequate cash to complete my house. Lack of money is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing. Sometimes, I have to seek shelter from my relatives when I host visitors."
Micah's family
access_time 2 years ago
Micah enrolled.
"Receiving this money means a constant milk supply to my family of 3. Ever since I got married a year ago, I have been purchasing 1 litre of milk daily from the vendors at Labotiet centre for KES 60. This is way expensive for me, as I solely depend on the power saw business to earn income. Woefully, this power saw machine is for hire so, I only part with 25% of the total income earned from the work done. Furthermore, this job is seasonal and I have to stay at times cashless hence not being able to provide for my family. I have been yearning to purchase a dairy cow but unfortunately, finances could not allow it. With the Givedirectly transfers, I target to purchase a dairy cow at KES 30000 and I will be delighted that my dream will come to pass as my household will be food secure."
Alice's family
access_time 2 years ago
Alice received a $468 second payment.
"I spent KES 20,000 to pay school fees for my son in secondary school. KES 12,000 to pay school fees for my two children in secondary school. I am so grateful because this was my main concern. My children now are studying well without being sent home like before. I spent KES 10,000 to purchase the sofa set seats I didn't have before. I am so grateful because now when I have visitors they can sit comfortably. The rest of the money I bought sky blast and food for the family. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards."
Hellen's family
access_time 2 years ago
Hellen enrolled.
"Imagine a family of 5 without a reliable source of income. This is what is giving my spouse and I sleepless nights. We all depend on charcoal burning business to make both ends meet. In a good week, we can make KES 1400 which cannot satisfactorily meet our basic needs especially education for our three children. What pains my heart the most is when they shed tears every morning when their classmates pass by as they head to school. This has rendered us hopeless."
Sidi's family
access_time 2 years ago
Sidi enrolled.
"My children have been inconsistent in school attendance. This is because I have not been able to pay their school fees in time. I am planning to use KES40,000 from the GiveDirectly transfers to pay for my children's school fees. This will assure them enough study time in school and will definitely translate to improved academic performance. I will use a further KES 50,000 to construct a two-bedroom semi-permanent house for my family. We are currently squized in a one-bedroom house and this has denied me privacy for long. With a two-bedroom house, my husband and I are assured of a separate room. Doing all this will make me happy."
Carren's family
access_time 2 years ago
Carren received a $468 second payment.
"The new goal that I didn't have before receiving the transfer is purchasing a dairy cow. I depend on casual jobs in the village and the amount of money that I get through this is so small. I didn't know that I will be in a position to purchase a dairy. I am so happy now because I no longer buy milk."