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.
Toiyoi's family
access_time 2 months ago
Toiyoi received a $142 initial payment.
"Upon receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I felt immense happiness and relief. As an internally displaced person (IDP), forced to leave my home in North Baringo due to the cattle-raiding conflicts, this support felt like a lifeline. I used $100 of the money to buy materials to build a toilet—a necessity I didn’t have. Building this toilet will greatly improve my family’s hygiene and restore a sense of dignity that has been missing. With $30, I was able to address our immediate food needs. Since I don’t have land here to grow crops, I rely on buying food. Thanks to this money, I now have enough food to last my family for over two months, which brings great relief. Finally, I sent the remaining money to my child, who had called to tell me they were struggling without food at home. It felt essential to share this support and express my love for them, as I understand all too well the challenges they are facing. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for this generous help."
Katana's family
access_time 2 months ago
Katana received a $27 twenty-first payment.
"Now that my mental health is improving day by day, I have a new goal: to build a two-room house. For so long, I've been sleeping at my mother's house, which I feel ashamed of because both she and I need our privacy. I plan to accomplish this goal by selling one acre of land that my father left behind, with the full support of my family members. I want to heal completely and fulfill this dream. Once I achieve it, I'll finally have the protection I've been missing, and by the time I start my own family, I'll be well-prepared with proper shelter."
Belinda's family
access_time 2 months ago
Belinda received a $351 second payment.
"I am a farmer, but I do not have the necessary equipment, like a generator, which is essential for successful farming, especially here in Baringo, where drought is rampant. I have been borrowing from my neighbors, but it is not always available when I need it. Sometimes, I am told that I should buy my own, which can be frustrating because without water, my crops cannot survive during the dry season. To solve this, I plan to purchase my own generator using the proceeds from my acre of land, where I am planning to plant maize. With the income from the maize harvest, I will be able to invest in the generator, ensuring my farm is well-irrigated and productive throughout the year."
Nalepo's family
access_time 2 months ago
Nalepo received a $351 second payment.
"In my community, farming has always been our way of survival, and I wanted to invest wisely in agriculture to support my children’s education. I spent $170 on onion and bean seeds, hoping that a good harvest would provide enough income to cover school fees and our family’s needs. Additionally, I used $100 directly to pay off school fees, which brought me relief, as I usually depend on farming and charcoal burning to raise these funds. We used to plant Kenyan seeds, which always gave us a decent return, but the recent floods destroyed my two-acre maize field, making this transfer a lifeline for our survival.I decided to use $90 to buy two goats, as they’re valuable for both milk and income. When the goats start producing milk, we’ll have enough for our family and some to sell, allowing us to reinvest in farming or cover other school expenses. I also put $45 toward food, as our supplies were very low after the flood wiped out our crops. Without GiveDirectly’s support, it would have been nearly impossible to provide my children with nutritious meals, and I’m truly grateful for this assistance in these tough times.The remaining funds went toward improving our home. I bought a small sofa set for $40, giving us a comfortable place to sit, and I spent $5 on new curtains, making our home feel a bit more welcoming. As a single mother with three children, life has been challenging since my husband passed away. This cash transfer has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, and I feel motivated to rebuild and improve our lives. Each investment I’ve made has brought us a step closer to a stable future, and I’m hopeful that things will keep improving from here."
Sabela's family
access_time 2 months ago
Sabela received a $348 second payment.
"Before the floods hit us, I had prepared a one-acre plot where I grew beans and vegetables, but everything was destroyed. Farming has always been my main way of ensuring food security for my family, so this loss created a serious challenge for us. Now, as our lives are beginning to return to normal, I’m planning to restart farming on my one-acre plot. To enhance my efforts, I aim to purchase a water pump for $250, which will enable early cultivation and timely preparations. By farming on schedule, I hope to secure a successful harvest and provide enough food for my family."
Kaingu's family
access_time 2 months ago
Kaingu received a $27 twenty-first payment.
"In the coming year, my goal is to build a sturdy home for my family. This past year, I have been sleeping in a makeshift structure with no walls and a leaking roof. My previous house collapsed last year, and I haven’t been able to rebuild due to financial limitations and the difficulty of finding casual work. With the ongoing support from the transfers, I plan to set aside a portion each month to buy building poles and, eventually, iron sheets. Once I have gathered all the necessary materials, I’ll save for labor costs to begin construction. I am truly appreciative of the financial support, which is helping me get closer to achieving my dream of a secure home for my family."
Lilian's family
access_time 2 months ago
Lilian received a $27 thirty-first payment.
"I am unable to take on any job that demands my full attention because I need to care for my sick child. My child has epilepsy, and it’s important for me to be present. Consequently, I spend most of my time on childcare. I want to establish a business that I can manage from home, which will help me balance my household duties while allowing me to focus on my child. I've considered starting a chicken farming business. Additionally, I plan to use part of my funds to purchase more goats. My aim is to raise about 10 breeding goats, and along with the chickens, this will create a source of income for me. Once these projects are up and running, I will feel less stressed, even when my income ends, as I will have an investment to depend on. If I encounter financial difficulties, I can sell some of my livestock to generate money for my support instead of relying on relatives."
Sophia's family
access_time 2 months ago
Sophia received a $27 thirty-first payment.
"As a mother of one, I aim to expand my shop, where I currently sell products like flour, oil, sugar, rice, and soap. Previously, I relied solely on farming, which meant I had no income during the dry seasons. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly and my husband, I was able to start this business, which keeps me busy and increases my income. I plan to save my transfers along with the profits from my shop to improve my inventory. I want to add new items like beans and greens and increase my stock to boost my profits and grow the business further. This will enhance my daily income, making it much easier for me to support my family."
Johnson's family
access_time 2 months ago
Johnson received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"Living in this house has been quite challenging, especially during the rainy season. Many years ago, I built this small, one-roomed grass-thatched mud house, and it leaks significantly when it rains, making it feel like I'm outside even when I'm indoors. My main objective for the coming year and beyond is to construct a spacious, iron-roofed house. I'm glad to have gathered enough iron sheets and the necessary poles. I am actively working to collect the remaining materials needed to start construction. This is a top priority for me as I have a small child, and our living conditions are not conducive to her health. Therefore, I am optimistic that we will soon commence the building work. I truly appreciate GiveDirectly for their financial support, without them, I wouldn't have been able to purchase all these building materials. I continue to use my transfers to invest in this project until I achieve my final goal."
Furaha's family
access_time 2 months ago
Furaha received a $27 thirty-first payment.
"As a mother of two, my greatest joy is witnessing my children receive a quality education and improve their lives. To ensure they can attend a good school, I am pursuing a college education in tailoring. My goal is to start my own tailoring business after graduation, which I believe will provide a better income for my family. Thanks to GiveDirectly's support, I am able to cover my school fees. Once I finish my studies, I intend to launch my business, and I am confident that the income I generate, along with these transfers, will significantly assist in purchasing building materials, enabling us to construct our dream house. Currently, we live with my mother-in-law because my spouse and I got married when he didn't have a house. With over a year remaining in my college education, I am focused on opening my business afterward. Once my spouse and I manage to build our dream house, I plan to invest in livestock, particularly goats, to further secure our financial future."