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 have peace, I'm contented with my life and my health is good too. It's through the support that I have been receiving from GD that has enabled me to achieve all these. This is because I have managed to purchase four sheep for rearing in the last four months. In addition to that, my family has been able to get a whole day's meal through the money I have been receiving from GD. This is unlike the case before when I could strain in order to purchase two meals a day.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Currently, I rely on both farming and casual work which are not reliable and I do not earn much from them. I, therefore, have an additional goal to save the coming transfers so that I can start up a small business. This will enable me to comfortably meet the family's needs from the additional source of income without challenges.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Having peace of mind is the biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer. This is because I have been able to achieve so much that I didn't know I would ever achieve in my entire life. Some of my achievements that have improved my life is having been able to purchase four sheep. I have always considered sheep an investment and I believe I'll have more sheep by the end of the year after they have given birth.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I have a goal of saving the coming transfers so that I can use them to start up a business in the next four months. Therefore, in the next six months, I believe I'll have started the business and use the coming transfers to expand the business.
11th 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?
My life is currently different from the way it would have been had I not received the transfer in that I have been at peace and this has resulted in good health. The quarrels we had because of the little income we had are no more. I have been eating well since we have always had food on the table. This has impacted on my health positively hence I feel healthy and at peace. The most achievement is constructing a better house. I no longer live in grass thatched house which was a shame for me since my neighbors have iron-roofed houses. I do not feel poor anymore.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
For the next four months of my life, I have an additional goal of purchasing more sheep to add to the ones I bought with the previous transfer. Since sheep are affordable, I'm planning to purchase more so that in the future, after they have reproduced, I'll sell the young ones in order to raise money for buying a cow. With the cow, I'll be able to get enough milk so I won't budget for milk anymore and sell the excess to earn an income to handle other family needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
After a long period of time struggling to make ends meet financially, I can now meet my needs without any worries and with ease. This is because I am able to raise money to meet my family demands after my major burden, which was school fees arrears was taken away by the transfers I received from Give Directly. Thanks to GD for financial support. This is the biggest difference in my daily life preceding the current transfer.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months of my life, I believe I'll have bought enough sheep which I'll sell to raise money for purchasing a cow. This is an investment whose value increases on a daily basis. If all goes well, I will raise herds of cattle which has always been my dream. I no longer want to herd other people's cows anymore. I can later sell part of the herd to raise money for other family emergencies.
8th 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?
Right now I have a lot of peace of mind because I know that at the end of the month I will get some little money from GD. I used to be so troubled before especially before GD came to our village because getting money has always been a challenge.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have a planning of buying a sheep that I will rear within my compound because I think that it is easy to keep without so much hustle.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I now have reduced the amount of time I take on carrying out my casual jobs that I used to do before. I have always engaged in a job that is exhausting and time consuming but right now I can take a rest of maybe two days without having to touch on the tiresome job, something that I could not do in the past.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will be different from how it was because I will have bought the sheep that I plan to keep within my compound and probably make some profit from them in the future when they will have given birth.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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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 money from GiveDirectly is that I feel so much at peace, I feel happy and I can a fford a peaceful sleep because I'm able to meet my needs that I couldn't meet before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have fully renovated my house.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from the way it would have been had I not received the money from GiveDirectly in that if it was not for GD I wouldn't be at peace instead I would always be full of worries on how to raise money for meeting my various needs.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
At the moment I do not have a new goal insted I want to concentrate on fully renovating my house thereafter I'll think of something else to work on.
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 would be acute illness. I lately suffered from severe illness that I almost became lunatic. I spent most of my time in the hospital under severe pain. It was really hard for the six months I was at the hospital.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am done with day's activities. At that time I meet with my family members on the table for supper, pray, sing and share our day's experiences.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I plan to spend my transfer on building a new house. I will save my monthly income and buy building materials. Currently I stay in a small house built using second hand sheets. The roof leaks and walls are weaker, likely to fall at any time. Having a new house will improve my security and decent living.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is educating my two daughters. I became a widow while still young and meeting family needs was a tough struggle. From peasant faming and sisal weaving, I managed to pay their school fees. They are currently employed and earn a living from their educational struggle. I am very proud of that.