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.
Rajab's family
access_time 10 months 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 10 months 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 10 months 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 10 months 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 10 months 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 10 months 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."
Kadzo's family
access_time 10 months ago
Kadzo received a $418 initial payment.
"I had been on the farm all day preparing my land for planting. When I was about to leave for the house, my phone rang with a message. Since I could not read, I waited until I got home so my daughter, Pendo, could help me. When I got home that evening, she checked and confirmed that my transfer had arrived. My heart skipped with happiness. I was very tired from the day's farm work, but the money relieved me somehow, and I even forgot about the fatigue. In my mind, the goals I had planned would come to fruition now that I had money."
Jeniffer's family
access_time 10 months ago
Jeniffer enrolled.
"We used to live a happy life with my family until three months ago when everything took a different turn. My husband who is the sole breadwinner of the family had gone for a casual job to earn a living for the family. This turned out to be tragic, he was lifting a 90 kg bag of maize to a lorry when he felt a sharp pain on his back and paralyzed him. He was rushed to Marigat for medical attention where he was diagnosed with blood cloth in the vein. He was later referred to Eldoret for specialized treatment. He was required to have KES 250,000 for treatment. It is unfortunate that we were not able to raise that amount of money and we decided to come back home. I am now struggling financially to provide for my family and put food on the table. I am also feeling sad when I see my husband in pain and his health worsen each and every day."
Francis's family
access_time 10 months ago
Francis enrolled.
"In my village, Parleleru, the farms rely on irrigation, which poses a significant challenge for me since I do not own a water pump. I often have to borrow one from my neighbors, but there is no guarantee that they will lend it to me each time. Currently, I have not been able to cultivate my 0.5-acre piece of land because of this issue. I am worried that this delay will affect my farm's productivity, which will, in turn, negatively impact my family of five. The uncertainty of securing a water pump adds to my stress, knowing that my family's well-being depends on the timely cultivation of our land."
Kimera's family
access_time 10 months ago
Kimera received a twenty-fifth payment.
"I've invested in chickens with the intention of them multiplying, allowing me to trade them for goats. These goats, in turn, will multiply and be traded for cows, which I plan to utilize for ploughing and hiring out for additional income. This strategy is driven by my desire to secure resources that will support my children's education and other essential needs. Each step in this plan represents a commitment to providing a better future for my family. I am hopeful that through hard work and strategic investments, I can create opportunities for financial stability and prosperity, ensuring that my children's needs are met and their aspirations are supported."