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.
access_time
5 months ago
Mercy
received a $428 initial payment.
"I am a single mother of three and work as a primary school teacher. With the money I received, I decided to invest in a broiler-rearing project to create a better future for my family.
First, I spent $180 to construct a sturdy chicken coop. This was crucial because a safe and comfortable home for the chickens ensures their growth and health. I also ordered the chicks for $200, which will be delivered soon. I know that once they arrive, this project will help me generate extra income to support my children.
After preparing for the chicks, I spent $70 on chicken feed and other essential items to kickstart the project. This investment will ensure that the chickens receive the proper nutrition to thrive.
With the remaining $100, I chose to save it for emergencies. Having a small savings gives me peace of mind, knowing I can handle unexpected expenses as they arise. By carefully planning my spending, I am setting my family up for a brighter future while being prepared for any challenges that may come our way."
View Mercy's
profile
access_time
5 months ago
Gabriel
received a zeroth payment.
"After receiving payments from GiveDirectly, my life has transformed in incredible ways. One of the biggest changes is that I now have the goats investment I always desired. This investment not only brings me joy but also enhances our family's stability. We can now enjoy the benefits of livestock, such as milk, and potential income from selling goats. My family feels more secure, and I can plan for our future with greater confidence. I have the opportunity to save and invest further, which was something I couldn't do before. Overall, we are thriving in ways I once thought were out of reach."
View Gabriel's
profile
access_time
5 months ago
Gabriel
received a $428 initial payment.
"On September 13, 2024, I woke up to a transfer message on my phone, my heart racing with excitement as I read the words confirming that the funds had arrived. I felt grateful for this timely support, and a wave of happiness washed over me as I realized the potential it held for my future. My first thought was to invest in goats; they could provide a steady source of income and security for my family. I envisioned how this investment could help us thrive and build a better life together. With renewed hope, I began planning how to use the money wisely to ensure a brighter future for my loved ones."
View Gabriel's
profile
access_time
5 months ago
Leornard
received a zeroth payment.
"The biggest difference in my life after receiving payments from GiveDirectly is the sense of stability and relief I now feel. Before, I constantly struggled to pay my children's school fees, and they were frequently sent home, missing out on valuable education. But now, I’ve managed to settle their fees, and they are finally settled in school without any interruptions. My family feels more secure, and I can focus on other needs without the stress of being behind on payments. This has given me the freedom to plan better for the future, something I couldn’t do before."
View Leornard's
profile
access_time
5 months ago
Leornard
received a $428 initial payment.
"I am a father of seven, and providing for my family through casual jobs has always been a challenge. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I knew I had to make decisions that would improve our living conditions and give my children a better future. The first thing I did was spend $70 on a good standard bed because the one I had was too small, and the mattress didn’t fit well. It was uncomfortable, and I wanted to ensure that I had a decent place to rest after a long day of work. After that, I used $200 to pay school fees for my children, who were constantly being sent home due to unpaid fees. I’m so relieved that they are now settled in school, able to focus on their education without interruption. I also thought it wise to clear a $60 debt at a local shop where I used to take goods on credit. This allowed me to regain my peace of mind and build trust with the shopkeeper. With the remaining funds, I spent $24 on two bales of maize flour to ensure we had enough food at home. The rest of the money, $196, I decided to save while planning to invest it in livestock, which will help secure my family's future. These transfers have given me a sense of relief and hope, as they allowed me to address urgent needs and make plans for long-term stability."
View Leornard's
profile
access_time
5 months ago
Sidi
received a zeroth payment.
"It was mid-morning when a message popped up on my phone. I couldn’t read it, so I handed it to my daughter-in-law to interpret for me. As she looked at the screen, a bright smile spread across her face. She confirmed the good news that I had received my first transfer! At that moment, my heart filled with pure joy and relief, knowing that the promise had been fulfilled. A wave of happiness washed over me, and my mind immediately turned to my children’s school fees, realizing how this money could lift the burden and secure their education. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude."
View Sidi's
profile
access_time
5 months ago
Sidi
received a $428 initial payment.
"It was mid-morning when a message popped up on my phone. I couldn’t read it, so I handed it to my daughter-in-law to interpret for me. As she looked at the screen, a bright smile spread across her face. She confirmed the good news that I had received my first transfer! At that moment, my heart filled with pure joy and relief, knowing that the promise had been fulfilled. A wave of happiness washed over me, and my mind immediately turned to my children’s school fees, realizing how this money could lift the burden and secure their education. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude."
View Sidi's
profile
access_time
5 months ago
Mapenzi
received a $27 thirtieth payment.
"I am a father of one, currently supporting my family through construction work. To earn extra income, I sometimes borrow a friend's bike, but there are times when they either refuse or charge me $5 per day, which is challenging. I own two goats and plan to breed them so I can sell their offspring. My goal is to use the proceeds to enroll in driving school, which will allow me to secure driving job opportunities in Mombasa, providing a better life for my family and securing my child's future.
While I intend to buy more goats, my immediate focus is to repair the roof of my house. The walls are still strong, but the roof’s iron sheets are old and full of holes, causing us to get rained on during the rainy seasons. I’ve already purchased six iron sheets using part of my transfers, and I need twelve more to complete the project. I’m eager to speed up this building project and solve the problem once and for all, ensuring a more comfortable and safe home for my family."
View Mapenzi's
profile
access_time
5 months ago
Kanze
received a $27 thirtieth payment.
"Initially, I had plans of buying a new grilled door to provide better security for the house that I am currently living in, as the existing door is infested with termites and is not secure enough. Currently, I live in my daughter's house and have always wanted to have a space of my own. Therefore, after some deep reflection and discussions with my daughter, I decided to shift my focus from replacing the door to building a home of my own where I can enjoy my own space. To make this dream a reality, I have been saving a portion of my previous transfers in our local savings group, and I intend to save even more of my future transfers that I will be receiving from GiveDirectly. Once these savings mature, I plan to use part of the funds to build my own house and make my dream come true. Additionally, I aim to allocate another portion of the savings that would have matured to purchase livestock, hoping they will multiply, increasing in number and value, providing me with a reliable source of support, especially when this program comes to an end. I am genuinely excited about my plans for a new house and my livestock project, and I hope they will come to fruition. I am truly grateful for the support I have been receiving from GiveDirectly, and I remain hopeful for the better future ahead."
View Kanze's
profile
access_time
5 months ago
Suleiman
received a $27 thirtieth payment.
"I am a father of six children and I understand that their education is the key to a brighter future. Without a stable job or business to rely on, my primary focus is to invest in their schooling. This coming year, I plan to dedicate my resources, both from my future transfers from GiveDirectly and the little income I earn from my unpredictable hustles toward ensuring they have everything they need for their education. After facing health challenges that kept me from running a business, I'm now on the road to recovery and eager to start afresh. I aim to use part of my transfers to launch a livestock-selling business, where I will be buying livestock from local villages and selling them at the market for profit. This venture will not only help me to support my family but also provide an additional income stream as I work toward bettering our lives. I am hopeful that all of these plans will come to fruition, and I am deeply grateful for the support that GiveDirectly has provided us."
View Suleiman's
profile