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?
I believe that my life has changed to some extent because for one I feel that my house is now more secured because of the steel door which I fixed on my door space in the recent past.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have a goal of ensuring that I save as much as I can so that by the time the transfers will be stopped I will have a significant amount of savings in my account.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference for me is that I have been able to buy a new steel door which I have already fixed in my house. I initially had a wooden house that had been eaten away by termites.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I want to boost my small scale business which I have been running for the past years. I have to make sure that I get more raw materials in order for me to be able to make more profits in the nears future.
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I have had this notion that those who own mattress are rich. Imagine how silly that is. Only because I did not have it and I could not afford either. The look I had passing by a shop selling them always reminded me of my poverty. I longed for one. This is the biggest difference I have now in my daily life. I have a mattress and a bed. Jesus! The sight of these assets in my bedroom warms my heart. My sleep is so comfortable now. Thanks to GiveDirectly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My current house is in a bad state and I am scared it can collapse on us anytime. In the next four months, my goal is to be able to save enough money so that I buy building materials that will help me put up a better house.
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 managed to buy a mattress and a bed. I am now sleeping in a very comfortable place as compared to before when I was sleeping down on a mat. Before buying a mattress and bed I could not allow anybody to enter into my bedroom because I knew I will be the talk of the village. I used to feel so embarrassed when someone enters and later hear my name being the topic of discussion among my fellow women. Walking past the shops in town too, I could admire the mattresses being sold regardless of the thickness. What I longed for was a mattress, and finally, I managed to get one for myself. I can now look forward to going to bed. Thanks to GiveDirectly.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have started buying building materials in preparation for building my new spacious house. I hope I shall have saved enough money.
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?
My life is currently different in that, I used my transfers to purchase household items: a bed, a mattress, utensils, and sofa seats. when I came back home from my trip, I was forced to sleep on the floor and lacked utensils to use because they had been stolen. But now I am better off thanks to GD.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to save money to facilitate my daughter's schooling. I was not able to go to school myself but I want to give my daughter the best that I never had.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I was away from home for about a year before I came back. I had traveled to look for other means of making money. So when I came back home, my house was empty, all my household items were stolen and I was forced to start from scratch. In the past four months, I used my transfers to purchase household items: a bed, a mattress, utensils, and sofa seats. Now my house is better than the way I found it.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will have bought all the necessary household items that I feel important to have. I will also have cleared my daughter's school fees this means she will have a smooth stay in school with minimal disruptions caused by fee breaks.
7th 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 very peaceful because I am not stressed about money issues anymore
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am now planning to cement my new house in the near future in addition to buying new steel doors to prevent further theft into my house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I was able to buy a new bed which I did not have before. I have also been able to pay school fees for my children in good time as opposed top how I used to struggle in the past.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will change because I will have a well cemented house and my kids will be well settled in their school without having to be sent away as a result of not having paid school fees.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
455 KES ($4 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?
The new goals that I have are to start my small fish business that will help me sustain my household needs, I plan to move out of my father's-in-Law compound and have my own home.
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 pay my fees for my children. Secondly, I am now able to start my fish selling business which I could not implement before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I see my life being comfortable. I currently have no bed and a mattress but I see myself buying one in the near future. I also see myself starting a fish selling business that will enable me have a steady income.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my children are able to go to school. This will enable them have good jobs once they are through with their education, this will enable them to sustain their lives.
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,taking my children to school since I don't any income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is, in the afternoon after finishing my work. I meet other family members,we share ideas and I feel relieved.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend a bigger part of my transfer to,revive my fish business which collapsed. I also plan to pay school fees for my children.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is, building a specious semi permanent house where I currently stay after moving from a rental house where we used to stay.