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?
My life is currently different from the way it was four months ago in that I have been able to purchase most of the building materials. I am planning to use these materials in two month's time to construct a new house. The current house is so small for my family that is why we are working hard to ensure we build another one as soon as possible. I was at some point forced to store some of my household items in my neighbors' house because I did not have enough space in my house. I will soon go for my items once I finish building the new house. In addition to that, I no longer budget for kerosene anymore since I also managed to purchase a solar lantern. This has saved me on the cost of kerosene. Now I can spend that money to start other income-generating activities
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The current house I live in is too small to fit my family. Our kids are growing and it is high time we look for other alternatives to avoid having awkward moments especially now that they are approaching adolescence. Therefore, for the next four months of my life, I have an additional goal to save the coming transfers and use them to purchase more building materials which I'll use to construct a new bigger house that will accommodate us all.
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 past four months preceding the current transfer is the comfort and convenience I have experienced ever since I purchased a solar panel. Previously I had to budget for kerosene daily which was expensive and at the same time, the lantern lump wasn't bright enough. We were also risking contracting respiratory diseases that would come as a result of the smoke emitted from the lantern. I am glad we won't experience any of this because we now have a solar lantern
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
Currently, I'm riding someone's motorcycle to earn income. I love the job but it's only that it doesn't pay well because we have to share the profit with the owner. Whatever I earn can't comfortably meet my family's needs. Therefore, I'm planning to save some of the money I'll be receiving from GiveDirectly and add to my savings then purchase my motorcycle. This will assure me of an improved income because I won't be sharing the profit with anyone thus I'll be able to meet most of my family's needs with ease.es.
15th 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 been able to buy two sheep which I now
Apart from that, I also bought a new solar-powered gadget which I have been using to illuminate my house, especially during the night hours. We now charge our phones very easily as compared to how we used to do it in the past where we used to charge our phones at the market centers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The goal I have right now is to buy more of the iron sheets plus other building materials such as timber, cement, and sand which I will, of course, use to build the new house which I desire to have as soon as possible.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference that the cash has brought in my life includes the number of iron sheets that I have been purchasing for the last three to four months. I have always had this dream of building a new house for my family and move away from the small dilapidated structure but then the finances issues have always been a great challenge. However, this time I believe my dream will eventually come true.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I have been running a restaurant business for quite some time now and so far the business has been generating profits for the time it has been operational. My plan is to invest more in the business and make it more profitable going into the future. I believe that the business will keep me afloat going into the future even past the period when the GD will have stopped sending us the transfers.
12th 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?
As I indicated before, the transfer has enable me to live a life I never expected. I still have young family and my wife and I are the beneficiaries, and this has enabled to have good budget and remain with the little to save for our family.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have a plan of buying a new motor bike. The one I have has become old and could not manage to cover the distance required in a day. This will enable me to cover long distance within a short time. The motorcycle taxi has been flooded since the industry has become source of employment for youths. To catch up with competition, the motor bike must be up to date.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life in the last four months is that, I was desperate on how to build a new house, but I could not. This money has really improved my life in terms of nutrition in the house too, we are now able to have good meals in the family. We have managed to afford decent clothes, the thing which was not possible before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I plan to buy new motorcycle, and the current one will be repaired, this will enable me to create employment for others and will be sure of KES 300 in a day to do other projects. I plan to save the daily income until it will make me qualify for credit service from the bank.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I now have a solar panel that I use to illuminate my house everyday during the dark hours of the night as opposed to how I used to how I used the chocking paraffin lamps in the house.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I plan to build a new house because the one that I have is quite small for my family so I needed another one that can comfortably accommodate my entire family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
So far the money has helped me in getting a new solar panel system that I finally managed to buy recently, a dream that has remained so elusive for a very long time.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I know I will have managed to get the new house that is more spacious and well accommodating for all of us. Having the house is such an important thing because right now we are forced to squeeze in this small house that is limits our freedom, privacy and movement in the house.
2nd 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?
I am planning to save and be able to buy a motor cycle of my own.
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 had I never received the transfer because I am able to have light in my house thanks to the support I received that enabled me to buy a solar panel.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months I expect to have renovated my house given that the current one is leaking.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving payment from give directly is I was able to purchase a solar panel and now my home is well lighted.
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 life is difficultly in providing food to my family particularly during rainy season since the number of passengers are low and we might go without getting some cash by the evening.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when am back from my work having bought some food for my family.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on buying my own motorcycle after doing a monthly savings of 1500 which I'll also top up with my daily earning from the currently motorcycle I have. The rest I'll spend on buy food and cloths to my family.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
Proudest achievement is that I have been able to pay fees for my training as a driver and now I have acquired driving licence and also build a house from my earnings as a motorcycle rider.