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 different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, without a steady income, I have one crucial goal in mind: to complete the construction of my rental house. This project faced delays due to a lack of funds, but the monthly transfers have given me hope that this dream will soon be realized. Once the house is finished, it will significantly ease the burden of providing for my family, as I will be receiving monthly rent from tenants. I am confident that this will alleviate much of the stress I’ve been experiencing and allow me to focus less on meeting basic needs. I am hopeful that by the end of this year, the project will be completed, bringing a positive change to our lives and freeing us from the hardships we’ve endured.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am currently working on an unfinished project to build a rental house in a neighboring region a few kilometers from where I live. Before GiveDirectly came into my life, I had already started this project but got stuck due to being jobless. I relied on support from my son and the sale of some of my cows to fund the construction, but it wasn't enough to complete the house. With GiveDirectly's help, I have been using $30 every month from the monthly support to buy bags of cement. My goal is to complete this house by the end of the year, and I am confident it will soon be achievable. Once the building is finished, I will earn monthly rent from tenants, providing me with a stable source of income and easing the burden of supporting my family. Additionally, I used $12 to buy food for my family, which has sustained us for a while now. I am grateful to have something to put in our stomachs, as it has relieved a significant amount of stress.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 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?
My aim for the upcoming year and beyond is straightforward: I want to gather more funds to complete the construction of my ten-room rental house, located in the nearby village. Once finished, this project will provide me with a valuable asset from which I can generate a steady income through rental fees every month. This additional income stream will significantly ease the financial burden on me and allow me to take better care of my loved ones without constantly feeling strained. The completion of this house represents not just a personal achievement but also a means to ensure stability and security for my family's future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a project that has been a constant endeavour: building a rental house in the nearby village. Each month, I allocate a portion of my funds towards purchasing building materials, slowly but steadily inching closer to completion. With $50 from GiveDirectly, I was able to acquire crucial materials, keeping the project alive. While the finish line is not yet in sight due to financial constraints, I am immensely grateful for the consistent support, knowing that every bit contributes to its eventual success. Once the rental house is complete, I anticipate a steady stream of income from tenants, a testament to the impact of this program on my life. In the meantime, with no other source of income beyond livestock raising and farming, I prioritized ensuring my family's well-being. The purchase of enough food brought relief, alleviating the worry of scarcity during lean times. Additionally, I invested in a goat, not just as a practical asset but also for an upcoming memorial event in August. It's a tradition close to my heart, honouring those we've lost, and this gesture symbolizes both remembrance and hope for a brighter future.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
A few years ago, I acquired a piece of land, but financial constraints prevented me from developing it at the time. I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly for providing me with the opportunity to initiate construction on this parcel of land. Looking ahead to the coming year, my objective is to purchase iron roofing sheets to finalize the construction. The expanded space comprises of four rooms and two shop spaces, which I plan to rent out to generate additional income. This signifies a significant enhancement in our financial stability, with an extra income stream for my family. I will be using funds from my coming transfers as well as financial support from my children to achieve this goal. I am glad to be part of this positive change facilitated by GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Life hasn't always been smooth for my family of five, as I used to make a living by selling flour and tending to others' livestock in our village. Unfortunately, the business faced challenges and I had to close it down due to its poor performance. However, a positive turn came with the arrival of GiveDirectly in our village. Thanks to this support, I've been able to achieve a significant milestone, acquiring ten cows and 15 goats that I now keep and rear. This accomplishment brings me immense happiness. Utilizing the received transfers, I wisely invested $34 in acquiring an additional goat, a strategic move that promises future profit upon its sale. Furthermore, $68 was allocated to purchasing cement and other building materials for the essential renovation of my house, which suffered damage from recent heavy rainfall. I appreciate the opportunity that GiveDirectly has provided, and I am genuinely grateful for the progress I've achieved so far.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am intending to complete the construction of a four-room house for rental purposes in our trading center. This rental house has been under construction for the past three years, but progress has been slow due to a lack of sufficient financial resources. To fund the project, I resorted to selling some of my goats and milk from my cows, saving up to $50 each month. With the additional support I receive through the transfers, I have been adding to my savings and purchasing building materials like cement and river sand, which have helped propel the project forward. My intention is to dedicate my financial resources to this project because, once the house is completed and tenants move in, it will generate a steady income. As an elderly individual who spends most of his time at home without engaging in any income-generating activities, the home rental income will significantly contribute to fulfilling my needs and expenses. This project promises to secure a stable financial future for me and ensure a comfortable livelihood during my later years.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been working hard for the past three years to build a four-room rental house in our nearby trading center. My primary occupation as an elderly person is raising livestock, which includes 18 goats and three dairy cows. Throughout this endeavor, I have managed to fund the construction by selling milk, and during times of financial urgency, I resorted to selling some goats. The monthly transfers I receive have proven to be a significant help in progressing the house's construction. Given my age, I am aware that my ability to care for livestock will likely deteriorate in the near future. As a result, my ultimate goal is to establish a stable and reliable income stream that can adequately meet my financial needs in my old age. This project's progress has been slowed at times due to financial constraints in obtaining the necessary materials. However, consistent monthly cash transfers have helped me overcome these obstacles by allowing me to purchase cement and sand each month. My aspiration is to accumulate sufficient funds to acquire the remaining materials and finally complete the construction. Once the house is ready, I am confident that I will attract tenants and generate a consistent rental income every month. This additional income will significantly ease the burden of fulfilling my household's basic needs, providing a sense of financial security for my later years.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am an animal farmer and I have not been making much but I struggled to take my children through school, now I have three grow adults who are trying to make ends meet. I had taken them through school hoping they would one day return the favour and take care of me in my old age it things have gotten so tough that I cannot depend on them for everything. I had bought a plot of land and had really wanted to develop it but I did nit have enough finances so when I got GD transfers I decided I would use it for this development since my children take care of helping me get food. I know that once this structure is completed which is my goal for the year using GD transfers, I will be able to rent the shops out at $30 which will give me some income. I will also be able to take one of the four rooms and use the money I get after to put up a business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought a plot in the ton centre which I have been meaning to develop but due to lack of capital I had not developed it. I am now building 4 rooms on this piece of land courtesy of GD transfers. Since I started receiving the GD transfers I use the $30 to but bags of cement that go for $6.5 and I use the $4 of each of the monthly transfer in buying sugar that I use for tea that I take in the morning before I go herding.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The hotline number is a help to us. Whenever I call they respond with calmness and kindness.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am fifty-five years old, I retired five years ago and I now stay at home raising livestock. I have nine cows, five goats, and twenty-three ducks. Animals have been a source of my livelihood since I was a young man. They give us meat, and milk and sell them whenever I need money. I used the recent transfer to buy two ducks for $15 and bought food for my family for $15.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10.00 a.m. as I was tending to my cattle in the field when I heard a message alert. I checked the notification immediately and realized I had received a similar amount as my wife's and knew it was from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy receiving the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Sleeping hungry had become a new normal to us due to lack of money but I thank God this is not the case anymore because of the GiveDirectly transfers. I used the transfer to buy enough flour that lasted for five days making us forget about hunger for a while. Enjoying nutritious meals helped improve our health and peace of mind.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a father of three working as a subsistence farmer for livelihood. I also tend to my cattle while my wife is a small-scale business owner. I live with my four school-going grandkids whom I pay their school fees because my son’s income is not sustainable. Affording food has been a great challenge for us due to the increased cost of living, and hence could sometimes go to bed without a meal leading to stress and lack of peace of mind. GiveDirectly transfer came in handy since it helped us buy flour worth KES 2040 that cushioned us against hunger. In addition, I used a portion of the transfer to buy two ducks for KES 1000 for investment and a source of funds in case of a financial emergency.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As I run my small retail shop, my thoughts every day linger around my grandchildren and their education. When my three children were growing up, I did not have enough money to educate them. Only the last born completed her secondary school education. If I expand this business, the money we get can be used to educate my grandchildren because their parents do not have jobs. I know the importance of education and would like to see them study.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My life is one sad rollercoaster. Watching my children toil in vain is beyond heartbreaking. They have never known stability not rest. At my age, I am forced to take up their responsibilities because I can attest that they are not lazy, it's just luck that has eluded them when it comes to getting jobs. I am not happy at all.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We do not have enough food. My children and grandchildren run to me for help. I do not have much and sometimes we all just go to bed hungry. My heart sinks every time this happens but all I can do is watch and almost pretend all is well.