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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am eager to enroll in a driving school as soon as I save enough and get the required amount which is $200 to get me started. To ensure I reach this goal promptly, I have committed to saving $20 each month. Currently, I have set aside $60 and I believe I will save enough in a few months to get me started. As a father of three children, it's essential to me that my children receive a quality education. Therefore, I have allocated $15 towards school fees for my two school-going children, ensuring they aren't sent home and their learning remains uninterrupted. The remaining $27 is dedicated to purchasing food for my family, ensuring they never go hungry for the month.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In life, possessing essential skills is vital for survival. Presently, I am diligently saving to enroll in a driving school, aiming to acquire the necessary expertise to operate a large truck. As a current motorcycle rider and livestock keeper, I tend to five chickens and four goats. My strategy involves allowing these animals to multiply, eventually selling them to fund the acquisition of bulls and dairy cows. Bulls will assist me in land preparation, while dairy cows will provide milk for sale and personal use, such as in tea-making. The income generated will significantly improve my family's living standards.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 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?
My immediate goal is to enroll in a driving school, which I see as a step towards securing better employment opportunities. With increased income, my next aim is to upgrade to a bigger house to accommodate my growing family's needs, providing them with a more comfortable living space. Once this is done, I will venture into livestock keeping, as I see it as a sustainable source of income. Thanks to GiveDirectly for giving me a chance to build a better life for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I'm always excited whenever I receive the GiveDirectly transfers. As a motorbike rider, barely making ends meet with an earning of $5 a day, these transfers have given me hope. Through the GiveDirectly transfers, I've been able to set aside $20 each month, saving up to enroll in a driving school. My goal is to upgrade my skills from a motorbike rider to a motor vehicle driver, opening up new opportunities for better income.With the remaining funds, I spent $15 on food and household items for my family, ensuring there was always food on the table. Additionally, I paid $27 for my two children's school fees, providing them with the education they deserve. My wife currently runs a grocery and pastry business, contributing to our household income. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our lives have transformed, and my children no longer stay home due to lack of school fees.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before Givedirectly's cash transfer program came into my life, I was struggling to make ends meet. My little income as a motorcycle driver, earning $6 a day, couldn't cover the school fees and requirements for my three children. I worried every day that my kids would be sent back home from school. My wife was doing her best with her small pastry business, but it also didn't bring in much income.With the unconditional monthly cash transfer, I finally had some breathing room. I recently used $39 to clear my children's school fees arrears and bought their school supplies. This gave me immense relief, knowing my kids wouldn't face the risk of being sent back home from school. Additionally, I also invested in purchasing two goats for $70. These will be a source of income for my family. If the need arises, I'll have something to sell and generate some cash. It all fells like a new beginning, Givedirectly has given us hope for a better life.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With the help of the monthly transfers, I've started saving $10 each month. My goal for the upcoming year is to enroll in a driving school and become a truck driver. I've seen my uncle make a decent living in this profession, and I believe it can provide a stable income for my family. Additionally, I'm determined to build a new house for my family. Our current home is too small. I want to provide them with a more comfortable and spacious house. The cash transfers have given me the hope and I'm excited to see where the next year takes me.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
GiveDirectly has made a significant impact on my life by providing me with financial assistance. With the money I received, I was able to invest in livestock, a long-held ambition of mine. I purchased a goat valued at $25, which I believe will generate income for me in the future. Additionally, I used $5 to settle my child's school fees, ensuring they could continue their education without interruption. With the remaining $4.70, I was able to purchase essential food items, alleviating some financial strain. The assistance from GiveDirectly has brought immense relief and gratitude into my life, and I will forever be thankful for their support.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to join a driving school. Despite completing my primary education, I faced financial constraints that prevented me from pursuing further studies. However, I am determined to overcome this obstacle by diligently saving a portion of my income. By August of this year, I aim to have accumulated enough funds to enroll in the driving school which requires approximately $180 for the course fees and I am confident that I will achieve this goal and acquire the necessary skills to enhance my future prospects.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received my December transfers when my father had just fallen ill, I spent $24 to take him to hospital to try get treatment but we lost him on the 22nd of December. The $10 I had from the $34 before this I had spent on clothes and shoes for my children. In January my transfer went into paying school fees for my two children one who was joining school for the first time I paid $3 while the one who was moving to class one I paid $6. I decided to buy myself clothes at $15 as I have not had good clothes in quite a while and also bought food for my home $10. In February I saved $30 and used $4 for food.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My uncle is a trailer driver, he has promised me if I am able to get a driving license he will teach me how the trailer transport business works for a year and then help me secure a job with his employers. I saved $30 from February transfers and I hope to get to $180 which will be sufficient for this training. I want to be able to get this opportunity because I now do Motorcycle taxi business and I am not making much and I would like to change this. I also live in a one room house with my family, I want to expand to at least a three roomed house. My hope is I will have enough money to put up this new structure for my family.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had been engaged in a motorcycle taxi driving for a living. However, it recently developed a mechanical problem. So I had to depend on casual jobs for the past two months. My first-grade daughter had $9 in fee arrears by the time I received my transfer. Because she was just at home, I was distressed because I had no money to pay off her fees. I am glad I settled her fee arrears with the transfer, and she finally had a minimal disruption in school. I also purchased two hens for $10, and the remainder of the transfer, $11 enabled us to obtain food. I am indebted to GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The way GiveDirectly operates is good by all standards. It does so well in ensuring transparency and upholding high ethical values while interacting with us in the community. Giving unconditional cash transfers sets us free to prioritize our areas of great need. This has had a more positive impact on our lives. For instance, I received my transfer when my daughter was in the house due to a lack of fee, and with the transfer, I paid her arrears, and she continued to learn comfortably. In contrast, I have not yet observed what GiveDirectly does not do well.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the money I decided that it was proper if I should invest more in growing my farm buying a couple of animals especially considering that the cost of living was high and I barely made enough money to support my family. So I decided to buy a goat worth 2,000 because eventually I was hoping it would breed and perhaps when I needed the money I could always put it up for sale. I remained with KES 1,000 and I ended up using the KES 800 on nourishment by purchasing four packets of maize flour because there was barely any food in the house and we needed to eat to survive, and the rest of the money which was 200 I decided to settle a debt with a store owner since I had required some items on loan prior.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I was very happy for the fact that through the funds, I finally have managed to begin investing in growing my farm and this is buying the goat. This act alone is going to be a constant reminder of the generosity I received from the Organization and also I am hopeful for my future.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was actually on my way to the farm at the time the money came in and being honest it was quite a huge relief I felt immediately I saw that the transfers had finally been sent, out especially because I completely did not expect it and at the time I really needed the money.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The lack of any technical skills has rendered me uncompetitive in my search for employment. I am a primary school leaver. I never advanced because my parents were unable to support me. After a long struggle, I decided to join the motorcycle business because I have a family of 3 to sustain. A motorcycle taxi earns me only 200 KES a day. Children being so expensive to maintain, this income is very little. By all means, I have to make sure there is food in the house because children cannot stay for long without eating.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have never stopped experiencing happiness since my wife gave birth to a baby boy in February this year. I am a father of 3 but the first 2 are girls. Martin gives me so much pride, he is my heir.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
receiving this money means employment for me. I dropped out of school after my parents were no longer able to pay the tuition fees. I have 4 other siblings and my parents were even struggling to provide us with food. I had to search for employment to salvage the situation at home. Equipped with no skills, finding employment slots was very difficult. I resorted to motorcycle taxi business. After two years, I got married and I am now a father of 3. Making a 1,000 KES a week from my occupation, sustaining my family is very difficult. The needs are overwhelming the income. I plan to join a technical college. 30,000 KES will be enough for me to enroll in a masonry course. The stonework knowledge will make me a more valuable candidate for employers. Hopefully, I will be employed in a construction company. I will then be able to take care of my family and even offer assistance to my siblings and parents.