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.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In four months’ time, my new goal for my life is to ensure that I start keeping poultry farming which has been my wish for so long. The proceeds in terms of eggs and chicken will also supplement the family daily needs for me in that order. I also feel that this is on project that can easily be managed and returns from it are just good.
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 is that I did not lease out my land for money. It has been a series of the year in and year out giving out my land which, I would have otherwise cultivated, to someone else just for money. The money I would then use in providing for my family’s upkeep. I also boast of the very vast land which I cultivated and will give me returns to help me take care of my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In six months’ time, I expect to have settled down and married. I feel that the transfers from GiveDirectly have given me the empowerment to be able to provide and take care of someone. I also feel now that I no longer give out land just for money, I will instead continue cultivating even on a large scale. The harvests would be enough for me to provide for the family that I hope I will have started by that time.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
4560 KES ($44 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_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 am now able to fully utilize my farm throughout the year. This is because I am planning to plant the potato seeds which I just bought and due to this, I am optimistic of a good harvest this year. After harvesting, I will sell them and use the money to start other income-generating projects.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to build a spacious house since the one I am living in is small. Building a bigger house is now my priority since I am planning to marry and start a family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have been living a life full of worries on how to get money to use in meeting my basic needs. This is because getting some casual work to do is difficult and the milk I have been getting from my cow was not enough for my own consumption after selling some of it. When I received my transfers in the month of June, I was able to deworm my livestock and this has led to an increase in milk production. Because of this, I have been able to earn an income through the sale of milk which I now use to meet my basic needs. Being able to cater for my daily needs without having to go around looking for some work to do is the biggest difference in my daily life.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will no longer be the same again in the next six months since I will have built a spacious for myself in readiness for starting a family. I am hopeful that I will have harvested the potatoes on my farm and supply them to different hotels in our town.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
attach_money
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different because I have established a poultry system. My brood of chicken has really become very large and is laying eggs. From this, I get a daily income. Before receiving these transfers, I used to rely on daily wages from hard labor. I could go for days without making any money because work is sometimes not available. This would be a very long day for me. Desperation for food would get me easily tempted to steal in order to find something to eat. When I received this money, this agony stopped as I am assured of an income from the eggs in my poultry project.I can now work on my own farm projects and make money instead of working for othe rpeople. under very low wages.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I plan on fencing around my poultry house. I will buy a wire mesh and use it to stop my chicken from straying to eat peoples crops.
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 having enough food. Before this transfers, I could go for days without making any money from the menial Jobs I used to rely on. This meant that I could not afford food. I began to have enough food on a daily basis when I started to receive. It changed my life my health and well being for good. I feel so well and even look better.I am so happy as \this transfers have become a burden reliever.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I will have expanded my poultry project and will have bought a cow. I will, therefore, be employed in my own farm tending the cow. I will have stopped looking for casual hard labor jobs. This will allow me to rest as I earn a decent income.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2735 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
attach_money
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to improve house and improve poultry rearing
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different since I have increased the number of chicken in my farm.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have build a house in the next six months
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 can now afford daily household items since I set up poultry farming.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is separating with my wife. Its almost ten years now but I have moved on since then.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is during the evening hours when I finished my day's duties and am ready to sleep. That makes me feel happy.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on cultivating my 0.6acre farm. After which I will plant maize and beans.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My greatest achievement is settling down and starting my own life with my family. Though we separated some few years back but it still gives me a sense of pride settling in my own house.