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.
Happy Holidays!
GDLive updates will be slower while GiveDirectly's Africa offices are closed over the holidays.
Elice's family
access_time almost 6 years ago
Elice received a $23 twelfth payment.
"In the next six months, I am optimistic that I shall have fully recovered and strong enough to engage in some of the economic activities that will empower me. I expect to own more assets that will always remind me about GiveDirectly even when the transfers come to an end."
Edwin's family
access_time almost 6 years ago
Edwin received a $368 second payment.
"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I feel I am now happy. I was always stressed up in the past since I used to depend on casual jobs. At times I could stay for two weeks without money to meet my basic needs such as food and pay rent since the casual jobs was irregular. I am now happy since I used my transfer to start a new business where I sell second hand clothes and shoes. This is a regular source of income to meet all my basic needs."
Alfred's family
access_time almost 6 years ago
Alfred received a $23 eleventh payment.
"In the next six months, I would want to start up a barbershop. This will help me get a regular income to sustain my family needs. This is because casual work was not consistent and I ended up getting into more debts which I have paid with part of GD transfers, I would not want to go back to where I was back then."
Evaline's family
access_time almost 6 years ago
Evaline received a $368 second payment.
"I used my most recent transfer to start a new business. Before I received my transfer, I was employed as a waiter in an hotel in Mathare. Early this year, the owner of the hotel relocated to her rural home and took all her belonging from the hotel. I took over the hotel and continued with the business. I used part of my transfer to equip the hotel with items such as utensils, tables and chairs.I am now happy since the income from the business can meet all my basic needs . In the past, I was paid two hundred and fifty shillings per day and this was not enough to buy food for my family and pay school fees for my children. It is my joy since I no longer struggle to provide for my family and pay school fees for my children since the income from the business is enough to provide for my family. I also used the remaining amount to pay school fees for my child since I had not cleared the school fees arrears."
Julias's family
access_time almost 6 years ago
Julias received a $23 twelfth payment.
"In the next six months, I will be having a cow and a poultry farming system. My income will have increased from the eggs that I will be selling."
Sharon's family
access_time almost 6 years ago
Sharon received a $46 fourth payment.
"I plan to buy goats. This is because they multiply fat in order to help me financially,"
Betty's family
access_time almost 6 years ago
Betty received a $23 twelfth payment.
"I will be financially stable from the milk I get because I now own a dairy cow. Getting milk for consumption is very difficult. But with the transfers, my house will be food secure."
Nelson's family
access_time almost 6 years ago
Nelson received a $368 second payment.
"My new goal is to enroll in one of the polytechnics and pursue plumbing course. I have been depending on casual jobs and the income I get is not enough to meet all my basic needs. After graduating from the polytechnic, I will no longer depend on casual jobs and can earn an income."
Rose's family
access_time almost 6 years ago
Rose received a $550 second payment.
"My life has improved a lot since I received the transfers from GiveDirectly. I built a latrine and no longer hide in the bush to relieve myself. We feel civilized and modern for this. It was so primitive and shameful to beg for other people's latrines who could at times turn us away. The bushes are also unsafe as they are the homes of dangerous snakes and at times some passersby could peap and see me squatting which was so self- defeating. I constructed a kitchen which nowadays serve as a separate cooking room unlike before when the main house served as kitchen, sitting room and a bedroom. I remember one day when I had visitors and there was a lot of smoke as I used a traditional stove. I could see that they were not comfortable but unfortunately I had no altertive. I paid school fees for my children who are doing well. Education gives me hope for the future and better living standards. I spent the remaining part of the transfer to buy a cow that is soon calving. I hope it shall provide me with milk that would definitely improve the food security and nutrition for my household. The money that I have been spending to buy milk will then be saved and diverted to restock my small scale business. GiveDirectly has painted pictures of hope, greatness and brighter future in my mind that I would always live to embrace. Thanks a lot the donors."
Emanwel's family
access_time almost 6 years ago
Emanwel received a $531 second payment.
"My life is different in that I managed to plant two hectares of sugarcane. Sugarcane is the main cash crop in this region since we have industries around that provide for ready market. Sugarcane is also a form of investment that is more sustainable as it is harvested more than once. I feel secured for the future in that when I harvest and get paid, I shall be able make my dream of building a permanent house come true, pay school fees for my children with ease, buy a cow that will provide me with milk, and also buy food for may children. Thanks for GiveDirectly transfers at least I have some hope for the future."