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.
Sidi's family
access_time 17 hours ago
Sidi received a $420 initial payment.
"My life took a dramatic turn when I received a cash transfer from GiveDirectly. Before, I was barely scraping by, relying on my elderly husband who struggled to support our polygamous family of 19. I took on casual jobs just to feed my children, but dreams of improving our living conditions seemed impossible. The money from GiveDirectly changed everything. With it, I could renovate both my house and my son's house, creating a safe and secure place for us to sleep at night. Now, instead of worrying about the leaky roof or the crumbling walls, I feel a sense of peace and stability that I had never known before. This support didn't just improve our physical environment; it transformed our lives, filling our home with newfound hope and happiness."
Kadzo's family
access_time 17 hours ago
Kadzo received a $420 initial payment.
"It was a sunny afternoon, and I was knee-deep in the fields, clearing away the overgrown bushes, when my phone buzzed with a notification. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I pulled it out to see the message that I had received the promised cash transfer from GiveDirectly. My heart soared with joy and happiness, and I couldn't help but shout in excitement. At that moment, all the dreams and needs I had put on hold due to lack of money flashed before my eyes. The first thing I thought of was finally being able to buy enough food for my family and pay school fees for my three school-going children. It felt like a heavy weight had been lifted, and I knew that life was about to change for the better."
Kitsao's family
access_time 20 hours ago
Kitsao received a $26 twenty-sixth payment.
"Although my health has improved significantly, I am not yet fully recovered. My goal for the coming year and beyond is to regularly go for medical check-ups and purchase the necessary medication to continue improving my health. I am very grateful for the financial support, as it would have been extremely difficult for me to afford my treatment without it."
Dama's family
access_time 21 hours ago
Dama received an eighteenth payment.
"I live with my daughter and six grandchildren in my one-roomed house, which also doubles as our cooking place. This tiny space is not enough to accommodate us all. I plan to use my subsequent transfers to build an extra room to better accommodate my large family. I am very appreciative of the support from the transfers, as they have significantly uplifted my life."
Rajab's family
access_time 1 day ago
Rajab received a $26 twenty-first payment.
"I have a growing interest in starting a turkey rearing project. In fact, I have already managed to purchase two turkeys to get started. Although turkeys are a bit more expensive compared to chickens, they yield a higher profit when sold. This makes them a valuable investment opportunity. Given the profitability and potential growth of this venture, I am confident that turkey rearing will be a successful endeavor for me. With school-going children, I am committed to securing their future through this investment. Over the coming year and beyond, I plan to use the profits from my turkey rearing project to cover their educational expenses. By reinvesting my monthly transfers into this project, I aim to ensure that my children have the financial support they need for their schooling. This approach not only supports their education but also helps me build a sustainable source of income for the future."
Lilian's family
access_time 1 day ago
Lilian received a $152 initial payment.
"The transfer came at a time when I was desperate and had a lot on my mind. It was planting season, and my acre of land was not even ready since I did not have the money. Because the maize crops we intended to plant were meant to be sold to Kenya Seeds Company, they needed to be sown simultaneously with the rest of the farms around them. I was particularly worried about losing the contract with the company, as I was almost late for their planting time. Failing to meet this deadline would mean losing the contract and due to this, my two children in secondary school might miss their studies since the proceeds from the maize usually help me cover their fees. So, when I received the transfer, I used $11 to prepare and plant the land. I am relieved that the crops are now in the ground. I used the remaining amount to ensure that I could at least pay a portion of the school fees for my two children. This helped them have peace of mind and concentrate on their studies without the worry of being sent home immediately after the school term started."
Nyevu's family
access_time 1 day ago
Nyevu received a $26 twenty-sixth payment.
"In the coming year, I hope to accomplish my dream of starting a goat farming investment. To achieve this goal, I have been diligently saving $10 every month since January. By December, I will have saved enough to purchase some goats and begin building my herd. This investment is very important to me because it represents a stable and promising future. With goat farming, I can create a sustainable source of income that will help me support my family and improve our quality of life. My passion for this project grows with each passing month, and I am excited to see my hard work and savings turn into a thriving farm. This will not only provide financial security but also a sense of accomplishment and pride in what I can achieve with careful planning and determination."
Sidi's family
access_time 1 day ago
Sidi received a $26 twenty-sixth payment.
"I am aware that the financial aid will soon end. My goal in the coming year and beyond is to use my subsequent transfers to invest in purchasing livestock. Livestock increase in value over time, making them a suitable investment that will provide me with income even after the financial aid ends. I am very happy with the financial transfers and how they have transformed my life for the better."
Vincent's family
access_time 1 day ago
Vincent enrolled.
"I have been a farmer for almost 10 years now and one of the factors of production that is giving me sleepless nights is capital. I have 2 acres of land that is situated close to a water source. I have been doing irrigation farming on this land for all that time and the cost of production has been increasing regularly. This is because dry periods are longer than rainy ones and as a result, I have to hire a water pump frequently which is quite expensive. On average, I spend close to $50 in hiring one to irrigate the short seasoned crops. This greatly reduces my profit margin in the long run."
Samwel's family
access_time 1 day ago
Samwel enrolled.
"I am a subsistence farmer growing short term crops in my one acre piece of land. With a family of 11 members, I am unable to cater for all their basic needs from the proceeds I make in the farm. Paying for their basic education and purchasing of farm inputs tops the list of things making my life difficult. This is because the returns I get from the harvest is far less than the amount I require to sustain the basic needs of my family. This means that together with my wife, we have to embark on other side hustles like casual jobs in order to try and reduce the deficits."