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.
Elijah's family
access_time 2 years ago
Elijah received a $239 second payment.
"RE " I spend the most of my recent transfer on paying for the production of planks for the renovation of my house. And i will also use the rest to pay some of my children school fees"."
Hellena's family
access_time 2 years ago
Hellena received a $239 third payment.
"Givedirectly is helping us financially and making us self dependent. Receiving such as amount was the first time in my life."
Betty's family
access_time 2 years ago
Betty enrolled.
"The challenges that I am facing currently are among other things harsh climatic conditions. We have been relying on subsistence farming and casual work in people's farms to make some income that helps us sustain ourselves and the needs we have in the family. The prolonged droughts have resulted in very low produce from our farms. Furthermore, these harsh climatic conditions have meant that we do not get any form of casual work in people's farms too. It has been particularly tough during school holidays when my husband makes no income at all from the school that he teaches. Recently he has had to resort to doing motorcycle taxi just to help us make ends meet. My dreams of furthering my studies have had to be postponed because of the situation that we are currently facing."
Shida's family
access_time 2 years ago
Shida received a $28 sixth payment.
"We had no lighting when we first moved into the new home in December of last year. As a result, I bought a solar lantern on credit. I must pay for it every month to settle the balance by the end of the year. I, therefore, have a goal of using $10 per month towards repaying the solar lantern outstanding cost. This will be a reality with continuous transfers. I aim to ensure that I do not fail in making the installment payments. However, the remaining portion of the transfers will help me to pay off my children's educational expenses."
Kanze's family
access_time 2 years ago
Kanze received a tenth payment.
"For the past two years, we have been experiencing low crop yields caused by the climate change phenomenon. However, I am optimistic that this year will be better and we may have sufficient rain. Therefore, as I continue to receive my transfers this year, my primary goal is to focus on food crop cultivation. I believe this will enable me to improve the food security for my family, which has been affected by the famine which is currently being experienced in our area. It will be simpler for me to engage in other development-based activities and venture into new businesses if there is enough food in the house. I also want to buy three more goats. When my children get enrolled in school, they will be a source of revenue for their fees."
Shida's family
access_time 2 years ago
Shida received a $28 sixth payment.
"I am so glad and grateful to God for being among GiveDirectly's cash transfer recipients. So, as I continue to receive my transfers this year, my primary goal is to save part of them for the enrollment of my last son, Onesmus in High School next year. He is currently in eighth grade and will take his exams by the end of the year. Since my husband passed away, he has always represented hope in my life. He had just turned one year when his father passed on and seeing him always gives me hope for the future. I know when he succeeds in his academics, he will be able not only to support himself but also to give support to me as I advance in age."
Edna's family
access_time 2 years ago
Edna enrolled.
"Financial constraints is the biggest challenge currently. My husband who is the sole provider, got involved in an accident two months ago, and since then I was forced to do casual jobs to make ends meet.The hard-earned money goes into buying food and medication for my spouse and none is left to save for future emergencies and school fees for my children. This has seen my two sons drop out of school and it saddens me when they stay at home."
Joice's family
access_time 2 years ago
Joice received a $425 second payment.
"I am a mother of two kids, working as a subsidence farmer for survival. I have a grown up son who is 17 years old and lives with us under the same roof. The moment I received my transfers, I decided to build my son a house because the one that we have is not that spacious. It felt so uncomfortable living together with him and he did not have that privacy he desired. I also decided to build a store room where I will be storing my maize when I harvest them.I have struggled a lot looking for a space to store my maize because my house was small, but at least now, I have a safe place where no birds can feast on my maize. With the remaining amount, I managed to go shop for new clothes because the ones I have are worn out and at least I build my self esteem by looking good."
Cheruiyot's family
access_time 2 years ago
Cheruiyot enrolled.
"Six months ago, I took a motorcycle on hire-purchase basis from a microfinance bank. After paying a down payment of $200, I pay $3 each day. Paying this amount has been challenging as there are days where I earn less that that amount. As a result meeting the basic needs for my family such as food has not been consistent. Sometimes when food is not enough, we forego for the children while me and my wife sleep hungry."
Benson's family
access_time 2 years ago
Benson received a $493 initial payment.
"Right now I am able to sustain my livelihood"