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?
Life is currently fair enough since we are able to provide food for my children. On a monthly basis, we procure a stock of foodstuffs that is maize, cooking oil and sugar in plenty so that we may never lack in between the month. This has given us the energy to even struggle more since our concentration is no longer on food.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Since I have completed building my house the next additional goal would be to buy a seat and furnish the house with the furniture cupboard included.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Every time I stay in the house which was just completed, I feel this as the biggest difference in my daily life. The previous one was a grass thatched house which was raining and the walls had begun losing its grip. It was falling down and this posed a great risk to me and my children who used to sleep there. The rains occasionally gave us a lot of discomforts since if it rained at night we would be forced to remain awake till the rains reduce. We are currently privileged since this is now a thing of the past that never bothers me anymore.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
Six months time is coming when I will have bought the necessary furniture for my newly built house. My house will be looking good and I won't feel ashamed to invite visitors.
16th 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?
Currently, I can say that my life is a bit easier and stress-free. I am confident in providing for my children. Whenever they ask for anything, I am no longer ashamed of promising them since I am sure I can deliver. Nowadays, I am able to even take things from shop on credit as the owner is pretty sure that I am earning some money at the end of the month. My respect has been restored and I only give thanks to GiveDirectlly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Four months to come, I am aiming to buy a cow. My children are still young and it is in a custom that they must feed on milk. I am already tired of buying this and owning a cow will be a solution to milk problem.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
In the last four months, my outstanding difference is seeing my children having continuous studies without being interrupted. Previously, they would be sent back home for school fees which became harder for me to raise since I only depended on casual labor which sometimes I could not get. I remember very well that sometimes I would come from manual jobs only to find my children at home after being sent back from school. I would only sacrifice the KES 100 I was paid as food expenses since I did not want my children to die of hunger.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In six months time, my only hope of living in a big good house will have come to reality. I am currently finalizing on some parts. Had it not been for GiveDirectly I am sure I would be still living in my old house. The old house exposed my children to the risk of diseases since it would rain on us. It also posed us to security threats since it was at the verge of collapsing. Very soon I will be a happier mother living in a good sheltered house.
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?
The cost of life hasbreally gone high and to make matters worse, we rarely find casual jobs to do in order to earn money for basic needs. When I started receiving the transfers, I was able to comfortably pay school fees for my children and now they study peacefully without being sent home to collect school fees. I was also able to buy planting materials such as maize seeds and fertilizer unlike before when I could plant very late or not even plant at all for lack of money to buy seeds. I am able to also give a helping hand to my husband who works as a casual laborer in a tea estate by not being too dependent on him on matters funds, I can now take care of the small needs!
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to buy a cow of our own. The cows that we are currently rearing belongs to a neighbor. I want to rear my own cow.
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 the fact that I do not lack food and other basic amenities for us. I am also happy that I was able to plant my maize on time because I had funds to buy maize seeds.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to buy a dairy cow for rearing because we do not have a cow of our own. This will be a source of food for us and I will be able to sell the extra as another source of income for our family. I also want to build a better house for our family because the one we are living in now is an old house. I expect our lifestyle to generally improve from how it is now.
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
attach_money
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently i am able to use the transfer to buy seeds and prepare my farm to plant for my family unlike when i could not get money for seeds even if i could dig it alone.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to buy a cow for my family that will reduce expenses of buying milk.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
My entire life has really changed because i am now able to feed my family without much struggle unlike previously when i could work somebody only to get ksh.50 not able to get enough food for my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I have a temporary house that was not even mine from the start but i am planning to build my own house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 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?
I have an aim of having a goat that will help me in future when my children join secondary school .I will sell to get money to pay the fees.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would be very stressed now that there is scarcity of work to do because of lack of rain but now i am at ease because i am assured of the transfer per month.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I am planning to built a house in the next six months that will make my family more comfortable than now.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer helped me to afford food on a daily basis unlike previous time when we could skip taking food because of lack of money.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship i have faced is being sick. There was a time i was sick for quite a period of time but i thank God i am now fine. Another challenge is getting good for for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the morning. Whenever i see a good day with my health in its best, i always thank God.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
We will use our transfer to pay school fees for our children and maybe buy poultry for rearing. I will also use this money to buy food for my family.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
What i'm most proud of is the fact that i got married and have a family now. Not everyone is lucky enough to find a good and caring husbands who looks after his family. I am happy about it.