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 do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months in that I shall have fixed an iron sheet roof and replace the grassed that one by buying building materials every month with the sent transfer. This is because at the moment the leaky grass-thatched roof of my house is in a deplorable condition which has made it risky for our habitation.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Previously, I have been living in a one-room house that served as a kitchen, living, and bedroom to my family. Today, I have a different story to tell because the biggest difference in my daily life for the last four months is that I have successfully built a kitchen that I have ever dreamt of. This has been enhanced by buying building materials which included iron sheets, nails, timber and paid laborers to build it using the transfers that were sent
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal for the next four months is to aim higher and get to my goal of replacing my grassed thatched roof into an iron sheet one . This means I intend to be discipline with the finances I get from GiveDirectly through buying the required building materials on a monthly basis.
20th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would have gotten married. This means my responsibilities will have increased. My wife and I would be supporting each other in the farm and undertaking other projects that will improve living standards
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life in the last two months is that I have been happy and ambitious. The transfers helped me purchase building materials for constructing a house. I have been spending nights at my neighbours' place and now I look forward to building my home. I can't wait to start living in my own house and stop bothering my neighbours. I miss the privacy and independence that comes with one living in their homes.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My additional plan is to build a kitchen in the next few months. In a few months from now, I am planning to get married and we would need a place to cook our food. I can't wait to build one. This would make it easier for me to settle down faster and focus on other developments in the near future.
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months in that I will have finished building myself a house. Due to this, I will no longer be sleeping at other peoples houses because I have never owned any. Building a house for myself will boost my self-esteem and it will give me the courage to start a family of my own.
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 have made a major step in my life. This is because apart from dressing decently, I have been able to take care of my aging mother well without any difficulty. I no longer have to strain by going for casual work to raise money to feed myself as well as my mother.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have any new goals for my life as I am planning to first finish building my house. I am saving to buy building materials to use in building a decent house for my family.
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life currently is different from how it was four months ago in that I have been able to start buying some building materials to use in building myself a house. I currently sleep at my friend's house and I sometimes feel like am intruding their privacy. This is why I decided to buy building materials such as iron sheet to build myself a house.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change by a great extent in the next six months. By this time, I will have harvested my maize which am expecting a huge harvest ever for us. I also expect to have completed building our new house and settled in it. My egg selling business shall have improved and I will have more income from it. This coupled with other investments shall increase the level of income for my family and raise the living standards for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The last four months has seen me improve my egg selling business. I have been doing this business of collecting eggs from within my village and reselling them at a profit at the nearby market places. When I started receiving GiveDirectly transfers, I increased the number of eggs that I bought from the villagers by a great number. This has seen me get enough money that I have been able to save some while I use the remainder to meet other basic household needs. The proceeds from this business has equally allowed me to buy building materials and in the next few days i will start building a new house.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I want to focus on building a new house for my family. I will save as much as I can from the monthly transfers to enable me do this. I already bought most of the building materials and what remains is the labour cost. Profits made from my egg selling business shall also enable me to accomplish this within the shortest time possible.
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
The last four months has seen me employ modern farming practices in my farm. Initially, I could just do farming of crops like maize where I did not apply any fertilizers on my farm and local seeds were planted. This often gave me very little return that was barely enough to feed the family. With GiveDirectly transfers, I have been able to apply fertilizers on my farm and planted hybrid seeds that are certified as well. I am looking forward to an improved crop production this season. The increase in my farm yield shall enable me meet most of my family's needs and even engage in other development activities for my family.
7th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in that my iron sheet roofed house will almost be into completion.
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 happiness.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The new goal I now have is to buy iron sheets which I will use in roofing my house which I want to start building.
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life currently is different since I have been able to join a merry go round group.
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 goal that came in since I started receiving the transfer is that I want to start farming majorly on short season crops like beans and potatoes.I have also start thinking of having a kiosk business.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it would have been if I had not received the transfer in that I do not get involve in hard and less paying casual job and I am able to get what to contribute for my merry go round and also have something to spend on my daily needs from my improved business this has reduced the debts that could accrue for me.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I am expect my life to be better in the next six months in that I am hopeful that I will be living in a new house, both farming and my business will be earning me better income.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I stared receiving the transfer, the biggest difference in my life is that daily improvement in my business.This has given me happy life in that I have some money to save for my future plan of building a new house and also remain with some to gather for my family household daily needs.
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is iliteracy,I should have been a better person if I had furthered my studies but due to lack of school fees I did not manage
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am relaxing after work
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on business, to open shop and also for farming
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The greatest achievement is farming especially potato farming