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.
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 improvement of agricultural production. Currently, I have managed to lease three pieces of land s which are under potatoes plantations. So far it is the largest I have ever put under operation and I am hopeful that the production will increase during harvest time.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have bought a cow since the farms under potatoes plantations then will have earned us some income which we will then add to the savings which we are currently making and buy one productive dairy cow.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Apart from subsistence farming which is currently on, I have an additional goal to purchase another cow to add to my herd. I have been having one cow producing milk in our household which has not been sufficient due to the poor health condition of the cow. Buying another one will really help us a lot since milk production will increase and in turn, also another source of income will be added.
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I will have harvested my farm produce in the next six months hence my family will be having enough food to last us till the next harvesting season. Apart from this, I believe that my cabbage plantation will be doing well on the farm and I will just be waiting for the harvest time so that I can sell them. With all these investments, I am certain that my life and that of my family will no longer remain the same way it is now.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have been buying milk on a daily basis since I sold the cow I once owned in order to clear my children's school fees. Currently, I am a proud owner of a dairy cow which I bought using the savings I was given at our merry go round group. I believe that very soon, apart from saving the money I would otherwise use in buying milk, I will be earning an income through the sale of milk at our nearby shopping centers. Being able to own a dairy cow once more is the biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The additional goal for my life for the next four months is to lease a farm in order to increase the size of land under farming. I am planning to plant cabbages which I will later sell. I am targeting to do this soon so that I can harvest them in January when the demand is usually high thus it will fetch me enough money.
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago in that I no longer overwork myself in order to get enough money to use in meeting my family needs. This is because I have been using part of my transfers to improve my farming practices and to invest in other income-generating activities. Due to this, I no longer rely on one source of income thus I have been able to meet my family needs adequately and on time.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would have harvested the maze which I currently have on my farm. I expect to get a good harvest and would keep some for consumption and the surplus will sell to earn money. I would be financially stable and would decide on another income generating project.
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 we got a good harvest of maize which is as a result of the transfer which I have been receiving from GiveDirectly. I had invested part of my monthly transfers the previous year to buy fertilizers and quality maize seeds. This resulted in harvesting high yield which we had never harvested before as we couldn't afford to buy farm inputs. I am now happy that tI will no longer buy maize for consumption as we now have enough to take us all throughout to the next season.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I would like to save my next transfer so that I can spend to buy a cow. At the moment I have only one cow which is not lactating and I feel it would be good to have more than one so that I can alternate the insemination t ensure that I got to have milk all year round. I now spend a lot buying milk on a daily basis, the money which I would have spent on paying school fees for my children.
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, the little money which I get from the casual jobs I now got to save some after spending on minimal household expenditure. Before I wouldn't be left with any as I would spend much buying maize which at the moment we have. The money which I save will help me to pay for children's school fees.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
attach_money
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have bought my own motorcycle and harvested maize which will a source of food and income.
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 these transfers have enabled me to buy farm inputs.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to buy my own motorcycle taxi which will boost income.
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different because I can afford food and other basic necessities
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
attach_money
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 have faced in my life is inadequacy of farming land. I normally lease small pieces of land, which are uneconomical to farm. Hence I cannot attain my target income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is at the evening when sharing supper and rejoining my family after the day's work.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend the transfer on improving my farming activities. We rely on farming to earn a living.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement that I am proudest of is that I have worked hard to clear university fees for my wife. Academic achievements of my wife means better chances for securing a good job and earning significant salary for our use.