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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Most days, we lacked food in the house because my mother is the only breadwinner. She does manual jobs like washing clothes for people to raise income to support us with basic needs, such as paying our fees and providing food. Due to limited resources, we often went without.
When I received my most recent transfer, I spent $60 to give my mother for buying food so we wouldn't go hungry. I also used $5 to pay my remedial fee and $6.50 to buy a textbook required at school. Additionally, I saved $2.50 for future emergencies, like buying books when needed, and I saved $20 in my account because I want to buy a bed since I currently sleep on the floor.
I also bought a t-shirt for myself with $4 and saved $15 in our chama. This savings will help me start a business after I finish school while I wait to join college.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With the cash transfers I'm receiving, my main goal is to save a portion of this money and start poultry farming to generate income. Poultry are in high demand and can be easily sold, either in the market or within our village. This venture aims to secure a sustainable source of income for the future. Additionally, I'm determined to use the transfers to ensure I complete my high school education without financial constraints. Moreover, this project will enable me to support my mother in providing necessary basic needs for my younger siblings. I truly appreciate the financial support as it has been immensely helpful to me.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With the cash transfers I'm receiving, My main goal is to save a portion of this money and embark on poultry farming as a means of generating income. Poultry have a high demand and can be easily sold, either in the market or within our village. By investing in this venture, I aim to secure a sustainable source of income for the future. Additionally, I'm determined to utilize the transfers to ensure I complete my high school education without financial constraints. I'm grateful for the GiveDirectly transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As the eldest among three siblings, juggling school and family responsibilities is a constant balancing act. With my father's irregular income as a casual laborer and my mother unemployed, every penny counts. Immediately I received the GiveDirectly cash transfer, I gave my mother $3.75 to ensure our household had enough food and other necessities, as I knew where it was needed most.
Recently, I injured my toe that required surgery. Thankfully, I had the funds from GiveDirectly to cover the $15 treatment cost. Following that, I purchased a mandatory school book and some personal items spending $29.5. Additionally, I contributed $20 to a merry-go-round group, which will eventually fund a poultry project. Before receiving the GiveDirectly transfers, having a meal and meeting school requirements was a struggle. But now, with this assistance, there's great improvement in our lives, and I'm filled with hope for the future.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been saving $20 monthly through a savings group since January to start a livestock and poultry trading business. I believe this business will be more beneficial than other options. By the end of the year, I plan to use my accumulated savings to launch the business. The remaining $14 from the cash transfers usually goes towards household expenses like, supporting our family of five, primarily taken care of by my grandmother. She makes and sells charcoal to meet our needs which can be very challenging given the strenuous nature of the activity. I am grateful that ever since the cash transfers began, I have been able to actively contribute toward some of their needs and ease her burden.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main goal is to establish a business focused on buying and selling chickens or other livestock like goats. Being at a young age, I aim to create a source of self-reliance beyond the cash transfer period. I believe this business will generate income to support my family's needs and alleviate the pressure on my grandmother, our main provider. I've been saving $20 monthly from the cash transfers, and I plan to continue saving, aiming to accumulate a lump sum next year to kick-start the venture.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
GiveDirectly has been instrumental in supporting my long-term project aspirations. As a student, I have been diligently saving the money I receive from GiveDirectly with the aim of generating income in the future. From the recent transfers, I set aside $20, used $5 to support my mother with her medical expenses, as she was unwell. The remaining $9.70 was utilized to purchase food for my family, ensuring their well-being. GiveDirectly's assistance has been invaluable, providing me with the means to address immediate needs while also contributing towards my future goals. I am immensely grateful for their support.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My primary goal is to own a house. Currently, I do not possess a house of my own, and I rely on staying at my grandmother's place. To work towards achieving this goal, I have been diligently saving a portion of my income and will continue saving at least $20 monthly and with my savings steadily growing, I am determined to initiate the construction of my house by the end of this year.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I am still a student in secondary school, I have a vision of constructing a house since I still live with my parents under the same roof. At the beginning of the year, I made a commitment of saving $22 in every monthly transfer with an aim of the house construction by the end of this year. When I received the recent transfer, I did as per my commitment. I saved $22 and gave out the remaining $12 to my father as support to add to whatever he gets as well from GiveDirectly to buy some food for the family.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main aim is to ensure that I succeed in building a house by the end of the year. Sleeping under the same roof as my parents make me inferior since I lack freedom and confidence in the house. Traditionally, a grown-up boy is regarded as grown-up if he owns a house instead of being accommodated by their parents. Through the savings I committed to making monthly, I will be having no less than $200 by the end of the year. This amount will enable me to construct a small decent house.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time almost 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used all of the funds from my second transfer to purchase a goat. I attend the Free Town Secondary School in Mombasa as a form 1 student. I completely rely on my parents to take care of all of my immediate requirements, including paying for my school expenses. My parents struggle mightily to pay for my education because they work as casual laborers selling charcoal. They barely make enough money from the charcoal business to buy food and partially cover my tuition. For my future ambitions, I decided to spend money on a goat. I have hope that the goat will proliferate during the coming year. If my parents are unable to raise the necessary funds for my school fees, I will sell a few of my goats and utilize the proceeds to cover those costs. I'm happy that the money will enable me to realize my aspirations of doing well in school and working toward my future goal of being a doctor.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I applaud the organization for its kind action in assisting those in need. The money is crucial for guaranteeing that we realize our goals. Personally, the money will assist me in completing my secondary education by covering my educational expenses. I will eventually be able to continue on to college and start my ideal job. I implore the organization to keep up the fantastic work of assisting the aspirations of the underprivileged.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES
access_time almost 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am happy to say that GiveDirectly's transfer changed my life. When I received my recent transfer of $ 30, I spent $ 7 on buying 2 revision textbooks to help in my studies. I am currently a form 1 student at Mnazimwenga secondary school. Buying these two revision textbooks was my number one priority. On many occasions, I would be sent home to collect the textbooks during class hours. I tried pestering my parents to buy me even second-hand ones in vain due to financial constraints since the textbooks were costly. Being the third born in a family of 6, I could feel the pain my parents went through to educate my other 5 siblings and provide food with their daily pay of $ 5. My mother does a casual laundry job while my father is a matatu conductor, what they earn from daily hustle ain't enough to support the entire family's basic demands such as food, water, and fees. Furthermore, I spent the remaining $ 6 to buy a school sweater, I have been going to school feeling very cold and as a result, I was frequently caught by the common cold. The situation is now better since I have got a school sweater. I was so elated to be enrolled in GiveDirectly program as it marked a new beginning in my life. This is because my performance has improved from grade C to grade C+ unlike before when I would be home due to either sickness or to collect revision textbooks from my parents which wasted a lot of my time studying.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I was able to buy the required revision textbooks as requested by my class teacher. My performance has improved from grade C to grade c+ as I am able to do adequate revision. This helped reduce the cost my parent would have incurred to buy the textbooks that were quite expensive. I also bought a school sweater due to the cold during the morning hours while going to school. I no longer caught a common cold which has reduced the cost associated with treatment whenever I would be sick. The amount can now be used to provide food for my other 5 siblings.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the evening around 5 pm when I heard a phone vibration on the table. I was just at home completing my homework. I checked the message notification and confirmed to have received $ 12 from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed and I couldn't keep the little secret anymore from my family members. I ran helter-skelter toward my mother to show her the message. She never believed the news until I withdraw the amount the following day from Mpesa. It was a new dawn in my life to receive the transfer as I was able to buy two revision textbooks and a school sweater. This at least helped reduce the burden on my parents and proving for my other 5 siblings. I also plan to use my subsequent transfers in starting a goat-rearing project to assist with my fees and also support my parents in providing food. Goats can easily multiply within a very short time hence more profits. Hopefully, from the project, I would be able to provide my family with water which has been the greatest challenge for the whole village due to the prolonged drought. It has been so traumatizing to go to school for a number of days without taking a bath due to a lack of enough water.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The thought of possibly skipping secondary school is giving me sleepless nights. I want to be a person of substance in future, therefore, I must work hard in school and get a career that will propel me to greater heights.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The only thing that keeps me going is the gift of life. I am hopeful that one day I will get the resources I need to be successful.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Recently, I finished my primary level examinations. Looking at the financial situation at home, my parents will not be in a position to pay for my next level of education. I am determined to study and get a good job in future. These funds will help me attain this. I also intend to visit the County Offices and hope to secure a bursary that will help me pay part of the school fees.