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.
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9 months ago
Sidi
received a $26 twenty-sixth payment.
"My goal is to accumulate wealth through rearing livestock by the time the transfers end. Right now, I have two ducks and three goats, all bought with the transfers. I have six grandchildren in school, and their father relies on casual jobs to support them. Sometimes it can be challenging to cover their school fees because his jobs are so unreliable. Rearing livestock would ensure that I can also contribute to their education in the future, especially when my son is stuck. I hope to be able to do this using the livestock I will have bought with the cash transfers."
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9 months ago
Kadzo
received a $26 twenty-sixth payment.
"Being a single mother and the sole provider for my family has been incredibly challenging, especially with the added burden of health issues. However, I am grateful for the progress I have made in my recovery journey, thanks to the medical treatment I have received. With my health gradually improving and the ability to undertake heavy tasks, I am determined to explore new opportunities to secure a better future for my family.
Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, I plan to utilize a portion of my transfer to start a vegetable business. This venture will not only provide me with an additional source of income but also complement the monthly support I receive from Give Directly. By combining the profits from this business with the financial assistance from Give Directly, I will be better equipped to meet the needs of my family, including purchasing food and paying for my children's education. This initiative represents a significant step towards financial independence and stability for us, and I am optimistic about the positive impact it will have on our lives."
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9 months ago
Kadzo
received a $26 twenty-sixth payment.
"Living in a cramped one-room house with five children has been quite challenging, prompting me to take action to improve our living conditions. My immediate goal is to construct a two-roomed house, with plans to expand it further in the future. With the necessary iron sheets already obtained, my focus now shifts to acquiring additional materials like building poles, timber, nails, ropes, and other essentials for construction. Once I have everything I need, I'll be ready to start building our new home, which will provide much-needed space and comfort for my family.
The prospect of having a new house brings me immense relief, especially after enduring cramped living conditions for over a decade. I'm proud of the progress I've made so far, utilizing the monthly stipends from Give Directly to invest in improving our quality of life. This endeavor signifies a significant step towards a better future for my family, and I'm grateful for the support that has enabled me to embark on this journey towards better living conditions."
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9 months ago
Kache
received a $415 initial payment.
"Our previous housing was leaking and on the verge of collapse. We lived in constant fear during rainy or windy weather, often running outside to avoid the potential danger of the house collapsing on us. This always made me sad as I did not know where to start to salvage the situation. Thanks to the transfers from GiveDirectly, we built a better home for my family we now feel safe in our new home. It's a relief to no longer worry about the dangers of our old house collapsing. With this improvement, we're filled with hope for the future and grateful for the positive change it's brought to our lives."
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9 months ago
Jumwa
received a $26 twenty-sixth payment.
"In the coming year and beyond, my primary goal is to initiate an investment in livestock farming. Given the high prices of goats, I've decided to begin with chicken rearing as a more feasible option. Once I've established a sufficient number of chickens, I plan to sell them and reinvest the profits in acquiring a female goat. Therefore, I intend to allocate a portion of my transfer towards launching this project, recognizing it as a reliable investment for covering my children's school fees and addressing any unforeseen emergencies. Investing in livestock farming will provide a reliable source of income for me, enabling me to cover my children's school fees and handle any unexpected emergencies that may arise. By diversifying my sources of income through this venture, I aim to create a stable financial foundation for my family's future."
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9 months ago
Kadzo
received a $415 initial payment.
"For over a decade, the weight of hardship burdened every day of my married life. Living on family land was supposed to be a blessing, but instead, it became a battleground rife with conflicts and frustrations, each day a struggle to maintain our place amidst claims we should vacate. This made me worry a lot for my family of six, which is growing. Adding to our woes, our house was a grass-thatched one, and it could leak terribly during the winter seasons. I was hopeless and a sad mother because these conditions used to affect my children's health, leaving me feeling hopeless and despondent. The arrival of GiveDirectly transformed our lives in ways I could never have imagined. With their unconditional cash transfers, we were empowered to purchase our own land, marking the first step towards a brighter future, and I am now in the process of building a new house on it. No longer bound by the shackles of uncertainty, we're escaping the clutches of familial conflict and the humiliation that once plagued us. GiveDirectly didn't just provide financial assistance; they restored our dignity and ignited a flame of hope that had long been flickering in the darkness."
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9 months ago
Nondikko
received a $340 second payment.
"The arrival of GiveDirectly in our village brought about a sense of fairness and equality, with everyone receiving the same amount of support regardless of their circumstances. This was a refreshing change from other organizations that often target specific groups, leaving others feeling excluded. The enrollment process was handled with care by patient officers who ensured that we understood the project and how to manage our money responsibly. I have no complaints about the process and am grateful for the opportunities it has provided. I hope that GiveDirectly's impact can extend to other regions, allowing more people to rebuild their lives and experience the same positive changes we have seen in our village."
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9 months ago
Sally
received a $340 third payment.
"The timing of the third transfer could not have been better, as it coincided with the planting season when I had not yet prepared my land. I felt anxious because the Kenya Seed Company, which had subcontracted us to farm maize seeds, had strict timelines to follow. I was on the verge of borrowing a loan when the money from GiveDirectly arrived. I used $75 to till the land and plant the seeds. This opportunity is close to my heart because the Kenya Seed Company provides a ready market for our harvest. This income helps me pay for my child's secondary school education, which costs around $600 yearly. This direct payment ensures that my child can focus on their studies without any disruptions. I allocated $175 to purchase a 2500L water tank, which has been a significant relief for our household. It means we no longer have to walk for more than two kilometres or wake up in the early hours to fetch water before it runs dry as the water source was not sufficient for the whole community. Additionally, I spent $50 on buying extra clothes for my children, ensuring they have enough to wear and feel good about themselves. Seeing them well-dressed makes me proud as a parent. I used the remaining amount to support my spouse, who does irregular jobs at a nearby spa resort. His monthly pay is only $70, which is not enough to support our family of five. By providing enough food for the family, I aim to relieve him from the stress of seeking additional sources of income."
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9 months ago
Sidi
received a $26 twenty-sixth payment.
"I am a parent to two children who are currently in high school. My top priority is always to ensure that I pay their fees on time. I am currently struggling to make ends meet as I only work menial jobs that do not pay enough. Despite my efforts, I have not been able to raise the fees required using my own resources. Thanks to the monthly transfers, I am hopeful that my children's studies will not be interrupted like before when they would be sent home and stay for weeks. My ultimate goal is to allow my children to achieve their educational goals despite my financial struggles. I am also planning to save some money for a new bed to replace the old traditional one I have been using. It is no longer comfortable to sleep on."
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9 months ago
Dama
received a $26 eighteenth payment.
"I am currently in the process of building a rental house on my piece of land, and the monthly transfers have played a significant role in its construction. Previously, I couldn't afford to buy the necessary building materials, but with the help of the transfers, I'm grateful that I started the construction. I've been buying the materials gradually, as soon as I have saved enough, and my goal is to see this house come to completion. I'm assured of earning some rental income once it's complete, which will supplement my income. So far, I've been surviving on fetching and selling firewood, which doesn't pay much. I believe that earning some rental income will not only transform my household's living standards but also help me pay school fees for my children."
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