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?
The constant temporary renovations of our house are quite an expensive and unsustainable way of living and I am now tire of this process. My goal is to build a new house which takes away that strain. I have already started purchasing materials and hope to buy some more material within the next few months so as to allow for construction to start. My hope is that by July next year we will be moving into the new house with my family. I know it will give each of us some dignity to have our own spaces and cut away the crazy repair expenditure.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been working towards getting a new house. I live with my family of five, my wife, 3 kids and myself in a one roomed mud house which has had to be repaired continuously as the harsh weather conditions have a great effect on it. I want to build a stone walled house with more room to house my big family as the small one room house is also not sufficient. I have spent $63 on buying cement for the new construction as well as other building material such as poles at $15. My children were also able to access food at $24 from my transfers.
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Over the past few months, the monthly transfers I've been receiving have given me a clear goal: building a new house. The current one has been nothing but a temporary fix, constantly demanding renovations that strain both my finances and patience. It's time for a permanent solution. With the new house, I won't have to worry about frequent repairs and expenses anymore. I'm determined to make this happen, as long as the transfers keep coming in. It's a step towards stability and a brighter future, one that I've been eagerly working towards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My unwavering dedication to my children's education led me to prioritize their schooling with the recent cash transfer. I directed nearly $30 to clear their arrears, ensuring they could focus on learning without the constant threat of being sent home. Witnessing their renewed enthusiasm for education fills me with hope, knowing that their academic success will shape their future. Alongside this investment in their future, I turned my attention to securing our own. Investing $42 in building materials for a permanent house marked a significant step towards stability. Tired of the endless cycle of renovating my temporary dwelling, I seized the opportunity to create a lasting home for my family. With iron sheets, sand, bricks, and part of the cement already secured, the vision of a safe and secure house is within reach, thanks to the support provided by the cash transfers. With the remaining $30, I prioritized the immediate needs of my family, ensuring we had an ample supply of food. In the unpredictability of my job, where days without work are not uncommon, having enough food brings a sense of security and comfort to us all, ensuring that our health and vitality are never compromised. This journey of transformation, fueled by the support of the cash transfers, has brought stability and optimism to our lives, laying the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My primary goal is to complete the construction of our house before the year comes to a close. It's been a dream long overdue, and these funds provide the much-needed boost to turn it into a reality. Equally important is ensuring my children are always in school. The focus, however, remains on building this new home, We are grateful for the opportunities Givedirectly transfers have given us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
One of the first things I did was invest $86 in buying bricks and iron sheets to construct a new house. Our current dwelling is cramped, and with my sporadic job as a casual laborer, earning only $15 a day, it was nearly impossible to save for any improvements. My wife, who primarily focuses on farming for our household needs, was unable to find steady employment. The GiveDirectly transfers have allowed us to take a significant step towards providing a more comfortable living space for our family.
Moreover, these transfers have greatly eased the financial strain on our children's education. I directed $1.58 towards paying school fees for my two children, a burden that was a constant source of stress before the assistance arrived. The monthly cash transfers have transformed our lives from a constant struggle for basic necessities to a more stable and secure existence. We no longer face the daily worry of lacking food at home, and meeting the essential household needs has become more manageable. I am immensely grateful for the positive impact these transfers have had on the well-being of my family.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My foremost aspiration is to attain a presentable and spacious home for my family. Our current dwelling is a modest mud-walled house, which is increasingly inadequate for our family of five. Recognizing the need for more space and better living conditions, I am determined to construct a four-room permanent house by May next year. To accomplish this objective, I am committed to diligently allocating a portion of my monthly transfers towards purchasing the necessary construction materials, gradually accumulating them to ensure the timely completion of our new home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had always dreamed of embarking on a long-term project that would secure a better future for my children, but limited financial resources had always been a hindrance. However, when GiveDirectly came into my life, it brought me closer to realizing my dreams. The monthly transfers I received were a tremendous help, enabling me to slowly build up a flock of 8 livestock, including the most recent addition valued at $30. With the recent transfers, I can hardly believe that I am on the path to becoming a recognized livestock keeper in my community. Additionally, the remaining amount of $4.70 played a vital role in ensuring that my family of 5 had enough food on the table. GiveDirectly's support has been a game-changer, providing not only immediate relief but also the means to achieve long-term goals for my family's well-being.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 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 have a strong aspiration to build a new house for my family, as our current one is much too small to accommodate all of us comfortably. I am actively pursuing this plan in order to provide a more spacious and comfortable living environment for my loved ones.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The money I received from GiveDirectly allowed me to make some important purchases. First, I bought two iron sheets, each costing $8.50. I did this because I am planning to build a new house for my family. The current one we live in is too small to accommodate all nine of us. Additionally, I used part of the money to cover some fees for my children, which amounted to $10. Lastly, with the remaining amount, I purchased food for my children.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 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?
As I continue to receive my transfer, my primary goal is to buy more iron sheets for building a new house. The current one is too small to accommodate all my household members comfortably. Since I can make bricks by myself, I have set a goal of building a permanent house that will serve me for a long period. I currently reside in a small mud-walled house. Extreme weather has weakened its walls, making it incapable of standing the test of time. Along with building a new home, I also want to provide my son, who is currently in first grade, with ongoing educational support. I want him to be successful in life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My house is small, and I feel squeezed to live in it with my entire family. Therefore, with the most recent transfer, I spent $17 on two iron sheets since I aim to build a spacious house soon. I had opted to buy the iron sheets in bits because I cannot raise cash for building a house at once. I also prioritized spending a portion on obtaining food for the family. I am jobless, and we have been having a severe famine. The cost of food is very high, yet we did not have any harvest in the previous season. Lastly, I spent the rest of the transfers on clearing fee arrears for my son Shukran. I am glad that he is progressing well in his academics pursuit.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Sincerely, besides the unconditional transfers, one aspect of GiveDirectly that I appreciate is the way they recruit participants into their projects. I've had the opportunity to gain from well-wishers for the first time in my life. This has been successful as a result of the organization's unbiased strategy. No matter what their circumstances, everyone is treated equally. I implore the organization to keep up the good work so that many people can take benefit of their programs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I provide all of my family's financial support (wife and three children). I earn a living by building houses. Just picture this! You leave the house in search of work every day, but you never return with anything to give your family to eat. I am going through exactly this right now. Because it's so hard to find construction jobs right now, I have to resort to borrowing money from my kind friends or buying food on credit in order to provide for my family. So, when I got my transfer, I mainly utilized the initial $13 to buy food for my family. Knowing that my family would not go hungry and would have enough to eat made me feel much more at ease. In addition to food, I spent $17 on two pieces of iron sheeting. I have a one-room home with mud walls and a rusted iron sheet roof. We can't all fit in the house together with our possessions because it is so small. I intend to purchase 35 pieces of iron sheeting, erect poles, and construct a two-room house large enough to house all of us.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very excited when I first received the transfer, as it brought hope of clearing my son's tuition fee so that he could go back to school. I was in the house at 8 pm when I received the message. Since our area mobile money operator had not closed the shop, I immediately went to the shopping center, a few meters from home, and withdrew the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the joy and pride of having cleared the tuition fees for my son. He recently joined the school and needs keen attention. I was worried about days he stayed at home because I had no means of raising his tuition fees. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We are six in our family, I am the breadwinner but the construction work that I do is not reliable. There are times I go for weeks without any work, especially with the current election period. At the time when I received the first transfer, my son had been sent back home for a tuition fee. I, therefore, used 1531 KES of the first transfer to clear the arrears. He is in pre-primary which needs keen attention. This got me worried when he missed school. I am glad I managed to clear his tuition fee for the whole term. The remaining 1469 KES I spent on foodstuffs for family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My family is growing big and I would not want my children to reach adulthood while I am still living in a one-bedroom house. I desire to expand the current structure to build two more rooms for them. Since I will be receiving 3000 KES every month which is not enough to put up a structure once, I plan to first buy building materials monthly as I save 1000 KES for labor and then kick off the project afterward. Receiving these transfers will therefore enable me to have a bigger structure that can accommodate my family even in the future when they are grown-up and needs privacy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
December is the month to make merry but I was afraid that this will not be the case for my family because I did not see myself getting a job. Luckily one of my friends called me for a job all of a sudden, I was happy at the end of it when I got paid 3000 KES. This money helped me sort out food problems in the house which made my family very cheerful.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a man, it is my responsibility to take care of my family. I construct houses for a living which is not well paying in the villages. These kinds of jobs are also rare to come by nowadays due to the economic situation in the country. I am forced most of the time when I do not get a job to borrow from the shopkeepers so that I can feed my family. This has made me accumulate many debts which I do not know how I will repay. My current challenge is lack of a consistent job that pays well.