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?
The difference in my life in the last four months is that I have never lacked food in my house. I have been using the transfer to budget well for the family. I always ensure anytime I get the money, I do buy food in bulk which takes for a month. This has been helpful in feeding my family. I no longer strain to get food for my family as it was the case before the transfers. I thank God for GD.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I wish to start a retail shop business to boost my income. This is because of my income from a bicycle repair business which is very little and cannot support me in meeting all my family. I would want a stable source of income from the business.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Before the transfer, I used to light using a kerosene lamp for lighting at night. This was very expensive because I had to buy kerosene every day and my income from the bicycle business could not meet our daily needs well. In most cases, I would have to take credits in the village which was making life difficult for me. When I started receiving these transfers. I used it to buy a solar system on hire purchase. I have been using my monthly transfers to pay for the solar system. I am glad I have fully paid for the solar system and I don't strain to provide for the family as before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My plan in the next six months is to save. I would want to use the savings to start a retail shop business which will be my main source of income. I would not want to struggle after this life-changing opportunity.
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
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?
GD transfers have enabled me to start a poultry business which has been my dream. I was not able to start the business due to my low income from ploughing other people's farm. The little I have always raised hardly feed my family. I have been able to save part of my transfers which I used to buy chicken and I know the profit from the business will help me sustain and improve my family life.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I would really wish to buy new seats for my house. I have been living in a house with one seat and anytime I have visitors, I have always had to beg which I no longer want anymore. This is why I plan to buy new seats.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life is the new clothes I have now. I used to beg and borrow clothes from my friends whenever I had a journey. This caused me shame and most of my friends started separating from me. I am glad I have been able to save the transfers to buy my own clothes and I don't beg anymore. These days, some of them come begging from me which has earned me some respect from them.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would want to improve my poultry business by adding more chicken. This is because I will be able to enhance the profits to help me meet my family demands.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from how it was because l do not work too much as compared to before when l was not receiving money from GD.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to start cattle farming.
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 l have now started my project of keeping poultry and right now l can also buy anything l want comfortably without depending on my tiresome business of burning and selling charcoal.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months l expect to have started cattle farming.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am now able to get food easily without having to work so hard like I used to do before. The food I buy is able to sustain us for a very long period unlike before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will change because I will have made strides when it comes to having enough cash to pay in the hospitals whenever we fall sick. Additionally we will have enough cash to buy food that is enough for the whole family.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different because I am now able to have enough food on the table and also have a budget for buying a goat in the near future.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My goal includes starting a small scale business that will sustain the family for a long period.
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?
My new goals are; purchasing decent seats in my house and a mattress since I have an old one.
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 never received the transfer in that, I nolonger think of struggling to get food because previously even when I was sick like the situation right now, I would force my self to work so as to get money for food.
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 bought goats and sheep that I would even sell later on to take care of my needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that, I feel happy because I am sure of three meals a day unlike before where sometimes I could get fewer meals or skip one.
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am facing currently is lack of money to purchase basic needs like food since the little money I get from charcoal business is hardly enough.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when am done with my duties and hustle because I can get time to rest.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend this transfer on starting a new business to support my family.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement am proudest of is having purchased some items like Radio and gumboots that I use in farming.