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?
My plan for the next few months is to continue saving for my longterm objective. I want to buy another dairy cow for rearing to add to the one I currently have.
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 have enough food to eat from what I buy using GiveDirectly's transfer. Initially, I used to wholly depend on casual jobs to earn and buy food but with old age coming fast, I could not do much anymore. This meant little income for me. I am glad that GiveDirectly did come and help us. Whenever I receive these transfers, I am able to buy food that would last me for a few days. Through these transfer, I have been a consistent saver too. I save some portion of the transfer in a merry go round that we formed. This was not the case before as I could barely make enough money to meet our daily needs leave alone saving. I am grateful for GiveDirectly.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
With age really catching up fast on me, my expectation in the near future to live a more comfortable life and have adequate food. I do not to be in a position where I am forced to work in order to earn. I am also saving to buy another dairy cow for rearing. The proceeds from the sale of milk from these cows will help me meet daily basic needs and necessities.
20th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next few months, I am planning to invest in farming so that I would have more cash to cater to my family needs. I am thinking of planting some cabbages which are doing well in my region and looking to a good harvest which will give me a good harvest.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The greatest difference in our daily lives is that we do not miss food anymore as it was before we started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly. Since I am now old I couldn't do much to provide for the family and I was worried about how I would meet my family's basic needs and educate my children at the same time. These transfers have come through for me. I have been able to buy enough food that would last for a whole month. This gives me ample time to work on my other projects
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I believe in the next six months I would have planted the cabbages and wouldn't be worried about paying school fees for my children.
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Now am happy that my grandchildren are no longer sent home for school fees since I spent a portion of my monthly transfers paying their school fees. This has enabled me to build trust with the school management as they are assured of partial payment of their school fees after receiving the transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My additional goal is to clear school fees for my four grandchildren whom we are staying together. It has been a challenge paying school fees for them and I believe with my next transfer I would have cleared their school fees and that they will not be sent home for it again. I always feel helpless when they are sent home for school fees.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The greatest difference in my daily is that we no longer miss having regular meals. Before I couldn't afford to provide my family due to menial income which I get to earn from casual jobs. With the transfers which I usually receive, I spent it on purchasing foodstuff.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will invest part of the transfers in farming so that I can raise money for paying school fees with less struggle. I would prefer planting some cabbages since this does well in our region and there is a ready market in my locality.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 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 because initially, I lacked school fees for my grandchildren. This used to worry me much seeing them at home while other children are in school. But now I have managed to pay the school fees on time using the transfer thus relieving me from much stress.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Currently, I do not have new goals. I want to continue providing a good education for my grandchild.
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 lack school fees but I have be able to pay. I have my grandchildren whom my daughter left for me to take care of. Payment of their school fees has been a really difficult task for me because I am growing older and I am not able to do a lot of casual jobs. Together we used to pluck tea in order to raise school fees. This was not enough to clear arrears and most of the time they could stay at home. Thanks to GiveDirectly for the financial assistance. I am now able to pay on time without doing a lot of work like before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I want to have a bought a dairy cow. This will assist me to get some income from milk production. I will manage this by saving the transfers and add more from the income I get through casual jobs I do.
7th 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?
My life currently is different since I now days dress and sleep well.
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 a calf.
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 since I do not go for a day without food.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in that I will have bought a calf.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I face in my life is health related. I am ailing, my legs are swollen and painful, they cannot allow me to till my farm comfortable anymore. My wife is ailing as well, this means we spend most of the money we get on medicine.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when my family is happy and well fed. It gives me a sigh of relief.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend part my transfer on buying a cow for my family which will enable me reduce daily spending on milk. I am also planning to use a part of the transfer to expand my farm by clearing and ploughing land that has been idle.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The greatest achievement that I am proud of is the fact that I managed to educate all my children. The fruits of my efforts in farming enabled me to pay school fees for them both in secondary school and college. I am proud because I did not sell land like my neighbours, my hard work in the farm paid.
