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.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am currently planning to build a shelter for my livestock. The frequency of the rains and the harsh weather conditions have resulted in the cows becoming unproductive hence I thought a shelter would do them good and even have them become productive again.
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 home improvement. During the recent road works in my village by the county government, the main compound fence was destroyed. This exposed my compound to external intrusion and trespasses including livestock. To protect it, I had to build it using a wire mesh. This was costly but thanks to the transfers, I was finally able to have the fence up again.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have finished building a shelter for the dairy. I have some cows that need to be well taken care of. I will also have to change the breeds of my cow so that I can purchase one that is resistant to diseases and can cope with the climate at home.
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 different from how it was before Give Directly came to this village in that I was able to fence my farm. I used to have problems with my neighbors because they keep chicken that would come and destroy my crops. Since I did not have the resources to fence my farm I couldn't do much. Sometimes one may want to run an errand only to come back and get their crops destroyed by the livestock. I used to feel bad but am happy that will no longer happen. I thank Give Directly for enabling me to accomplish this goal.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I had a poultry farm before Give Directly came into my life. It was doing well though it wasn't generating enough profits considering the small size of the farm. When I saw the potential of this farm I decided to invest more on it. I took the money I got from Give Directly to expand this business by adding more chicken and building a bigger poultry house. I believe with this project I will achieve most of my long term goals and live a better life.
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 I am able to comfortably provide the basic needs for my family without so much worry. I rarely take loans or strain myself by doing several casual jobs in order to meet some of these needs as I used to do before. The transfers boosted my income in a big way and my life has taken a different turn since then.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My expectation in the near future is to buy a dairy cow. Once my poultry farm is well established and generating some good proceeds plan to save the proceeds and buy a dairy cow. I think it is one of the best projects around because of the good profits it generates. I know it won't be easy but I am committed to own one very soon.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I have a small business of buying and selling cows. On top of that, I also sell milk from my cows. My business had be running a little bit slower due to financial difficulties. I also did not make a lot of profits due to little money circulating in my business. My business is now doing generally well as I have always boosted it with my monthly trasnsfers. I got more money circulating in my business and thus making more profits. I have been able to fence my compound and relief myself from stress of always looking after the cows which was boring and time consuming. This has provided me with an opportunity to dwell more on my businesses and yield maximum profit from it.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I am planning to buy one dairy cow in remembrance of GiveDirectly. Am aware that these transfers are not going to last for a longer period of time and will always want to have something to remind me about GiveDirectly. In the next four months, I am going to save part of my monthly transfers and combine it with profits from my milk selling business to buy one dairy cow.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Over the last four months, I have found it much easier for me to work round the clock and get enough money to pay school fees in time. This was quite difficult for me in the past and it sometimes left me stressed and desperate. With GiveDirectly transfers, I have been able to pay school fees without selling some of my valuable assets that I think would have been sold at the event that I did not receive the transfers. I have also been able to fence my compound to give it an appealing look and make it comfortable for my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have more farm produce unlike in the past. This is largely due to improved farming practices that was brought about by GiveDirectly transfers. I have been able to plant hybrid seeds and done so in time. With this, I expect to have reduced the cost of living by a great extent for my family. This will also see me explore other business opportunities as I am relieved of the burden of meeting family's daily needs.
7th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 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 currently is different since I have been able to buy some chicken and a wire which I want to use in fencing my farm.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I new goals I now have is to fence my entire farm.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life is happiness.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in that I will have fenced my farm.
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?
My new goal in life is to buy dairy cattle. I am a farmer and I have the passion of keeping dairy animals. With this, I will be able to sell milk and provide for my family.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life currently is different because I am able to purchase fencing wire which will be used in fencing my compound. This is because I am farmer and I will be able to keep my cattle within the compound as go do other activities.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will be keeping poultry as part of increasing my farming activities. I have been having this goal since and I thank GD because I know I will realize it finally. My family will be able to feed well as we get our daily income.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My biggest difference in my life is having the ability to fence my compound. I have been having the willingness to fence my compound but I have be unable to due to lack of funds. With the amount received, I am planning to use it in purchasing fencing material and hiring labor.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced is lack of enough funds to venture into business projects.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is during afternoon hours. That is the time I can take a shower after casual jobs and meet with friends.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer to improve my farming especially by majoring in dairy farming.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement am proudest of is being able to buy a land since I am just a subsistence farmer.