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?
My goal in the coming months is to purchase new iron sheets and construct the roof of my house. Once the roof is ready, I will move forward with covering the walls with mud and fixing a door. This will ensure that I can safely move into the house, providing a secure place to live and peace of mind. I will no longer have to worry about the house collapsing on me during the heavy rains at the end of the year. I am very appreciative of the financial support, which is helping me achieve this goal of building a new and safe house for my family and me to stay in.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Old age is slowly catching up with me, and I am no longer able to work and put meals on the table for myself. I fully depend on my wife, who is a subsistence farmer. Unfortunately, her earnings are very little and only enough to buy food for our survival. To sustain ourselves, I spent $10 to purchase food for my family, ensuring we had enough to eat and never missed a meal. I also spent $35 to pay school fees for my son, who is currently in his final year of secondary school. I am very happy that he is able to continue his studies without any interruptions. With the remaining $57, I purchased building poles. My house is in a dilapidated condition and is almost collapsing, so I decided to start the construction of a new house before the heavy rains begin. I am pleased with the progress I have made on the house so far. Despite my age and lack of a steady income, I am very happy with the financial support, which is helping me achieve my goals.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming months, my main focus is on getting more treatment for my eyes. Right now, even after going to the hospital, my vision isn't clear. It's been a struggle to see properly, and it's holding me back from fully engaging in various activities. But I'm hopeful that with the right treatment and care, I can regain my eyesight. Once my eyesight improves, I look forward to engaging in a range of activities that I've been unable to enjoy fully. Having a clear vision again will open up new opportunities for me and allow me to fully immerse myself in the world around me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Despite being elderly and grappling with health issues, I refused to succumb to despair. With the $34 I received from GiveDirectly, I prioritized my health by seeking medical attention for my deteriorating eyesight. Though my vision hasn't fully recovered, I'm grateful for the clarity it has provided, both figuratively and literally. Next, I ensured my son's education remained uninterrupted by allocating $25 towards his school fees, knowing that knowledge is the greatest inheritance I can bestow upon him. Simultaneously, I embarked on the arduous task of renovating my dilapidated house, investing in its stability and safety. The impending sense of security fills me with hope, a sentiment magnified by GiveDirectly's timely assistance. With the remaining funds, I secured sustenance for my family, alleviating the burden of food insecurity in our twilight years. Despite the challenges that come with age and illness, the support from GiveDirectly has been a beacon of light, illuminating a path towards dignity and resilience.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year, my primary goal is to pursue further treatment for my impaired vision. Struggling with this challenge for many years, I believe it is now crucial to seek a second opinion and explore avenues for improvement. Enhancing my eyesight holds the promise of elevating my overall well-being and bringing immense joy into my life. I am looking forward to utilizing my upcoming transfers to achieve this goal and am genuinely pleased with the positive changes I have experienced in my life this far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As an elderly man grappling with health challenges and impaired vision, my ability to engage in the laborious work I used to do, such as rearing livestock and selling charcoal, has significantly diminished. Despite the meager earnings from these endeavors in the past, the current transfers have brought a sense of contentment to my life. I am particularly grateful for the assistance as it has enabled me to support my child's education. Primarily, the transfers have played a crucial role in securing food for my family, filling my heart with gratitude. Allocating funds wisely, I utilized $34 to acquire a goat, with plans to sell it in the future. Another $34 was dedicated to purchasing essential food items, while an additional $34 contributed to covering my child's school fees. These transfers have proven invaluable in alleviating the challenges associated with my age and health, offering much-needed support.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 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?
In the coming year and the years to follow, my aspiration centers around the transformation of my current house. The state of my house is deplorable, characterized by its small size and imminent risk of collapse. With the assurance of receiving consistent monthly transfers, I am determined to embark on the process of renovating it. To commence this endeavour, I am committed to setting aside a portion of the transfer in order to procure essential building materials such as iron sheets and building poles. Renovating it will provide a sense of security, shielding us from the ravages of rain and other adversities.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My recent financial disbursements were directed towards covering the educational expenses of my high school-aged son. Meeting these fees has been a challenging endeavor, yet the timely receipt of these transfers has been instrumental in ensuring his continued attendance in school. With no other dependable support to rely upon, these transfers have proven to be a vital lifeline. This assistance has played a crucial role in preventing my son from facing frequent disruptions to his education, as he might have otherwise been compelled to leave school due to financial strain. Alongside addressing the educational expenses, I also spent a portion of the transfer on purchasing essential food supplies. Maize flour and various cereals were among the items I bought, ensuring a consistent and adequate food supply within my household. The resulting abundance of food has effectively eliminated any concerns about scarcity, providing my family with the assurance of consistent sustenance. I am relieved that my family was able to eat three meals a day without difficulty.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 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?
Due to the harsh weather conditions, the farm that has been my primary source of income is no longer productive. As a result, I am seeking a new and stable source of income. I am considering venturing into the livestock rearing and selling business as an alternative source of income. This would involve buying young goats at a lower price and selling them for a higher price in the market. I am optimistic that the monthly transfers I receive can be used wisely to invest in this new venture. With careful planning and smart investments, I believe I can successfully build a profitable business. Ultimately, this new income stream will provide a greater level of financial stability for myself and my family
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Over the past year, my health has been deteriorating, making it challenging for me to provide for my family through my work. I suffer from teary, swollen eyes, which causes a great deal of discomfort and has affected my daily routine. As a casual laborer who sells charcoal to earn a living, I struggle to earn enough money to meet the growing needs of my family. In some cases, my family goes to bed hungry because we don't have enough money to buy food. When I received my February transfers, I was able to purchase five packets of 2kg maize flour, a kg of beans, and green grams, spending a total of $18 on food. I also bought water for personal use because water has become scarce and expensive due to the harsh weather conditions. Additionally, I was able to pay $12 towards my son's secondary school fees, which helped to reduce his outstanding balance. It always worries me when he is sent home because of the huge fees owed. Lastly, I bought a new pair of clothes to replace my two old, worn-out ones. The new clothes make me look presentable, and for a moment, no one can tell that I am facing difficult economic times.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I commend GiveDirectly for employing a smooth and easy process in enrolling recipients. The trainned staff were very kind and asked questions in a kind manner. I urge the orfanisation to continue using the same process which worked well for us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am very old and fully depend on my two sons to support me financially. My eyes are teary and pain alot hence I cannot work. I have visited alot of hospitals but the situation with my eyes continues to worsen. When I received my transfer, i paid school fees arrears for my youngest son in secondary school. Paying $5 fee arrears ensured that he remained in school and continue his learning without any interruptions. In addittion, Ispent the remaining $25 on buying food. I purchased seven packets of maize flour, a kilogram of sugar, beans and some vegetables. I am very happy that I never starved of hunger because I had plenty to eat.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw an mpesa message on my phone. Since I was not expecting money that day, I was curious to know who could have sent me the money. When I read the contents, I realized the money was from GiveDirectly. I was delighted and thanked them for the financial support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being able to take three meals a day is the biggest difference in my daily life. I am a subsistence farmer and providing food for my family was not a challenge untill drought struck. I have to buy food daily which is really costly since I do not have a source of income to rely on. When I received the transfer, I purchased enough maize flour which ensured that food is available for my family.I am at peace because I am assured that before a month ends, GiveDirectly sends the money despite the financial hardships that I am facing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the whole of my recent transfer on doing l a shopping on foodstuffs which include a bale of maize flour. Providing adequately for my family is now the biggest hardship. I was relying on maize farming which could ensure that there was food security in my household. However, we have not been able to do farming due to a prolonged drought. I am now forced to buy foodstuffs which is costly. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because through the transfer, I was able to buy enough maize flour and daily vegetables. My family was now enjoying three meals a day unlike when I had not receive the money.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The drought we have been experiencing for over 2 years in this area has seriously undermined food security. I depend on subsistence farming to provide food for my household. For over two years now, this region has not received any reliable rainfall. Whenever I try to plant maize, all the crops dry up in no time. I have been struggling in terms of getting food for consumption. The saddest part is that the situation is worsening. The remaining alternative is to buy foodstuffs from shops. This choice is very expensive because food prices are skyrocketing. After doing a little research, I found out that livestock production can save me from this trouble. Because goats can survive in dry areas, I will buy 5 of them at a total cost of 15,000 KES. With time, the animals will increase in number and I will be selling them for food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Good health gives one hope that life will be better amid life's challenges. I am cheerfully thankful to be alive and full of health.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the current challenge I am facing. This is attributed to the drought we have been facing in this region. Being a huge dependant on subsistence farming, the dry spell has negatively affected me. No kind of crops can survive in this climate. Were it not for my sons who sometimes buy me food, the situation could be unbearable.