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.
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from the way it was four months ago in that there has been peace between my spouse and I. This is because I have been able to comfortably assist in catering for both my personal and some of the family's needs. I have been able to do this through the income I earn from both my business and GiveDirectly transfers. Previously, we could quarrel a lot with my spouse, whenever I asked him for money. Today we can even sit down and make plans together.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I bought an ox with the previous transfers which we are currently using to plow both our farm and other people's farm at a fee. We have been saving the income we have been earning from it with the intention of purchasing a dairy cow. Therefore, for the next four months, I have an additional goal of raising money for purchasing a dairy cow. With the dairy cow, I'll be assured of enough supply of milk both for the family consumption and for sale.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer is that I am now independent and financially stable. Previously, I relied a lot on my spouse to cater for most of the household needs. This could result in quarrels in most cases because I was like a burden to him. I'm glad through the Give Directly transfers I was able to start a business. I have been adding the little income I earn from the business to the transfers and use them in settling some of our family's daily expenditure. This has brought tranquility in my family because nowadays we rarely argue with my husband nowadays.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I have been saving part of my transfers through merry-go-round and I'm expecting to earn my share soon. Currently, I'm staying in a mud-walled house which is so dusty and dangerous to live in because it can collapse any time. The moment I'll earn my share I'll use it to purchase both sand and cement for plastering my house. I, therefore, plan to save my monthly transfer for the next six months in order to accumulate enough money that will enable me to plaster my house.
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago because I no longer experience household conflict as I used to do before because I do not depend on my spouse for everything. I can spend my money the way I feel like without too much restrictions.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to continue saving the money in merry go round and spent the saving to build a kitchen for my children to have a place where they can spend their night being that currently they are spending their night at their grandmother's house, which not very secure. I will have a better place to cooking as compared to now that I am cooking out the house where it is not hygienic.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that since I started receiving the money I am independent I do not depend on my spouse on even personal things that I can by on my own. I asking money from my spouse most of the time was bringing household conflict most of the time. I also manage to save money and bought cow for ploughing, since I was tired of using my own hand to till my farm. I will no longer use my hand any more to cultivate my farm.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months l expect to have started to have completed building kitchen and my children will have a better place to spend their night.
11th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I have been able to able to make enough savings in the table which we decided to form about one year ago when we started receiving cash transfers from the organization. The money saved all along has always helped me when it comes to school fees payment for my kids so today they do not have to be sent away from school due to fees arrears. I am happy that my kids attend their classes and most probably their academic performance will improve going into the future.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have a short term plan of repairing my house which is quite old and due to its mud-walled condition it remains to be quite weak and the walls may get washed off especially with the rainy season that is yet to begin. I plan to buy cement, sand and water that i will use for the entire princess. Making the repair on the house will make it more durable so that lasts for even fifty years to come.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I can see a lot of difference in my life for instance, I have been blessed enough to buy a new set of television which now keeps my children glued to the TV. I also get updated with the latest happenings in the country and across the globe. My kids also do not have to go and watch TV at the neighbors place. I used to feel so embarrassed seeing my children going to the neighbors place to watch television simply because I did not have a TV set of my own.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect top buy a goat within the next few months so that I can be able to get future economic benefit from it. Once I start the rearing process I know that the goat will give more than once and whenever I will feel that I am stuck financially, I will have the opportunity to sell them out and definitely make some money from such transactions.The long term vision could also include selling out the goats in the unforeseeable future once their population increases significantly, then buying a cow to replace the goats. Cows are known for their milk production which is a very essential thing in human life. Once I have enough supply of milk, I will not have to be buying milk from other people in the village like I do right now. Finally,keeping animals such as a goat also comes as a source of pride according to our culture and tradition.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago because l am now able to do some development me without depending on my spouse.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is too plaster my house since it is the easiest way to maintain it and keep it clean.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that l am now able to buy anything a feel like without depending on my spouse.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months l expect to have started saving for my project of plastering my house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
The new goals that i didn't have before receiving the transfer is that I would like to but my cow because i will remember give directly when i see and also it will give me milk.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am happy because i have that money and have a lot of hope in meeting my dream of plastering my house.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have finished plastering my house and have started doing a shop business.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that, I am very happy compared to before because I have started receiving money and I believe I will plaster my house.
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have faced in life is lack of money due to joblessness to buy enough food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the morning when I see my family wake up in good health.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to save the amount in my Mshwari account for some duration.This will enable me get some loan to help in refurbishing my house which is in bad condition especially when it rains.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is when I constructed an iron roofed house. Initially, we used to stay in a leaking grass thatched house which at some point couldn't make my family sleep with comfort.