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 has been different from how it was four months ago. This is because I have been able to afford a full day's balanced meal thus I have been more healthy. This wasn't the case before when I could barely afford a meal in a day. In addition to that, I was able to afford the family's needs without having to borrow money from neighbors.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Currently, I only have four goats which I feel are not enough considering how valuable goats are currently. I, therefore have an additional goal of saving some money so that I can purchase more goats for rearing. With the goats, I'm hopeful that I can sell some of them in case of an emergency in the future.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The last four months have been easy months in terms of meeting financial needs. This has enabled me to be at peace because I never borrowed from anyone as it as the case before. This is because through the GD transfers I have been able to comfortably meet the family's needs without borrowing.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I have plans for saving some money so that I can purchase more goats for rearing. Since goats are cheap and easy to maintain, I prefer them. In addition to that, they give birth twice a year thus by the end of the year I'll have additional goats.
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?
Comfort comes with the ability to afford a regular balanced diet and I would say that I have been comfortable and all the worries I had are all gone. I look healthier because am more peaceful and happy because I meet most of my family's basic needs. Thanks to GiveDirectly because if it wasn't for them I would have not been able to afford a regular balanced diet. So far this is the biggest difference I have ever since Give Directly came into my life.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
We are currently in planting season and being a farmer I have a big farm that has not been prepared. The land is bushy and I'm afraid I might not be able to clear it on time considering my old age. For the next four months from now, I have an additional goal of raising some amount of money and employ people to help clear the farm. I am certain I will be able to raise this amount because I normally get transfers every month. Were it not for them I don't think I would be able to prepare this land and probably I would end up cultivating a small area of land and harvesting a few sacks that would have not lasted for long.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Raising enough money to meet my family's basic needs has been a challenge for a long period of time because I only relied on farming as a major source of income. I used to be a small scale farmer, therefore, I never used to get much that could sustain me for a long time. Currently, I'm not worried anymore because I am now getting monthly transfers from Give Directly. This money has boosted me in several ways, I have been able to lease land and harvested more produce as a result. Nowadays I can make plans and ensure I achieve them because the transfers usually come on time and its something one is sure they will get at the beginning of every month.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months of my life, I expect to have bought extra bedding so that whenever I have visitors I won't let them sleep on a papyrus mat as the situation is currently. It is usually very embarrassing but since that is the only option I have, I am normally forced to give them the mats rather than asking neighbors to host them. The problem with this is that neighbors will still gossip and make fun of me. I am glad this will not be the case anymore
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?
My life is currently different in that I am able to feed my family with ease as compared to how I used to struggle. Previously, if I do not sell my farm produce, my family could go hungry. When my farm does not produce enough, My family become helpless and hopeless in finding what to feed on. GiveDirectly acts as my back up now, sleeping hungry is a thing of the past in my household currently.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My main focus is still to see my grandchild be educated. I have no additional goals but just to ensure this happens. I am the only surviving guardian and I have to ensure this goal is achieved, I will be proud.
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 seeing my grandchildren in school. I only used to take credit from relatives and this was hectic as most of the people were not willing to assist knowing that I do not have any source of income to refund. The farm produce was not enough either to help me sustain the basic household needs at the same time pay school fees. As we speak, I have the confidence to ask the school administration not to send them home knowing that GiveDirectly will send me money and I will be able to pay their fees, even if it is not on time, but at least settle the amount needed. This has enabled them to spend most of their time in school and not home for lack of school fees like back then.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect my life to change. I will have peace of mind as my grandchildren's school fees shall have reduced with a significant amount. They will be able to spend more time at school studying and not home idling. This is the best thing that should happen to me, I am praying to God and asking GiveDirectly not to stop the support they are giving me and my family. They are my hope now.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
4560 KES ($45 USD)
access_time over 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 is that I am able to get money to buy basic needs that my family needs. Previously I could go for a day without being able to afford what my family needs without having to sell my farm produce.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months I expect my life to change for the better. When I continue receiving this money,I will have a peace knowing that I have a source. A reliable source and I will not have to worry where to get the next meal.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Were it not for GiveDirectly,my grand children would be staying out of school for not clearing their fees.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
Currently,I do not have any new goal. I plan with the money when I receive it and not before and that is why I do not have any new goal.
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I face right now is lack of a sustainable source of income. I am a peasant farmer and the proceeds from the sale of my crops is not always able to cater for my families needs, this often means that at times we often lack basic necessities like nutritious meals.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening after having my supper. I usually get to sleep on a full stomach and this makes me very happy.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to buy a goat which I will rear for it's milk, I will then buy a bigger bed and a mattress because the ones I currently own are very old.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is having worked tireless in my farm last year and managing to get a bumper harvest. The proceeds from the sale of my crops enabled me to buy an ox which assists me whenever I need to plough my farm.