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?
I used the money from my transfers to finance my hairdressing education, and I’m thrilled that it enabled me to complete my course. Now that my business is thriving, I’m able to support my children’s education and work towards building a secure future for all of us. Currently, I’m running a salon business from home. In the coming year and beyond, I aim to build our own house on the land we own. To achieve this, I save part of my monthly transfer through a savings group to enable me achieve this. For now, I’m staying with my parents.
With my most recent transfer, I allocated a significant portion towards this project to give it a strong boost. I’ve also started goat rearing and have managed to buy two goats. I chose this investment because goats multiply quickly, increasing their financial value. Once they’ve multiplied, I plan to sell some to support other projects, such as the building project I hope to begin soon
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had been wanting to buy a bed for a long time, and with my most recent transfer, I finally decided to allocate $54 to purchase one. I’m happy to now own a bed. Poverty makes life incredibly difficult, as it prevents you from obtaining even basic things, so I’m truly grateful to GiveDirectly for their financial support. I had been sleeping on the floor for a long time, which is not safe, as insects could get in and bite me.
I also spent $15 on food for my family, as we are facing drought, and even getting water is a challenge, so we have to buy it. Additionally, I saved $10 in our merry-go-round group for future financial investment when it’s my turn to receive the savings. Finally, I used $19 to pay school fees for my two children, dividing the amount between them.
25th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I used the money from my transfers to finance my education, and I'm thrilled that it allowed me to successfully complete my course. Now that my business is thriving, I can support my children's education and build a secure future for all of us. At the moment, I'm running a salon business from home. In the upcoming year and beyond, I hope to build my own house on the land that we own. To save money for building materials, I joined a savings group. As we save up for our own space, I'm currently living with my mother. When I received my most recent transfer, I allocated a significant portion to this project to give it a strong push forward
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I got my latest transfer, it was a pleasant surprise that it was double the amount of my previous one. I decided to fulfill my dream of getting a new bedding by purchasing a $45 mattress because my old one was worn out. I also bought $35 worth of food to ensure my family had enough to eat. Additionally, I spent $37 to buy a goat, adding $3 from my savings to reach the required amount. Finally, I paid the school fees for my two children to support their education.
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am currently a student at a hairdressing college in Kajiado, pursuing further education to enhance my skills in hairstyling. I chose to enroll in college because I wanted to expand my knowledge and perfect my craft. While I already had some experience in making and styling hair, I felt that formal education would provide me with the opportunity to learn more and refine my techniques. I used my transfers to fund my education, and the decision brought me immense happiness. To manage the financial aspect, I discussed a payment plan with my school director and agreed to pay $10 each month. This arrangement allows me to pursue my studies without financial strain. Upon completing my course, my plan is to open my own salon. I am confident that this venture will not only allow me to further my skills but also provide me with a stable source of income. With my business up and running, I will be able to easily support my children's education and secure a bright future for us all.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am currently enrolled in a hairdressing college, where I am studying the art of hairstyling. With my recent transfer, I allocated $20 to cover the cost of my studies. Hairdressing is my passion, and I am excited about the prospect of opening my own salon once I complete my training. As a mother of two children; one currently in school, ensuring his education remains uninterrupted is my top priority. I spent $16 of my transfer to pay for my child's school fees, preventing any possibility of him being sent home from school. Additionally, I set aside $34 to purchase clothes for my children and myself, allowing us to look our best. With the remaining transfer, I allocated $32 to purchase food for my family. This not only provided nourishment but also lifted a burden off my shoulders.
17th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have over the previous months months bough some animals, I now have 2 goats and 3 chicken. This are my productive assets as animals multiply. I believe this animals with reproduce and I will have enough to spare. I plan now to build my skills as an asset to help me set up a hairdressing business so I can make money to educate my children. My plan is to first clear my hairdressing training and then set up a business after from which I will be able to provide for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother of two. I still live at my mother's place. I take care of my children on my own. I never had a trade before Givedirectly but now thanks to Givedirectly I am learning how to make hair. I use $10 of my monthly transfers to pay my trainer. I also joined a savings group when I started to receive transfers where I save $10 monthly. In September I directed the $14 that usually remains after taking care of my education and savings to pay for my child's school. In October and August I spent it on food.
13th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 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?
I got to buy a goat with my initial transfers and even chicken. My plan is to start animal farming as a source of income. I do not have a source of income currently and there are so many needs in the home I believe I should be able to help my parents in one way or another and hence my decision to venture into animal farming. At the moment I have 3 goats and 2 chicken which are a good start but I would like to grow in number and hence my investment on this will increase as the year progresses and as I continue to receive transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfers we have been receiving have really helped to alleviate the financial stress of my siblings attending school. I have six siblings in school and they all have requirements to ensure they are in school. I have been using my transfers to help sort some of the needs that arise. In the month of April I spent $6 to buy uniform for one of them whose uniform was worn out, In may I paid school fees amounting to $18 for them. I have also been ensuring they go to school well fed, I bought food worth $16 in April, I spent $24 to buy a dozen bags of maize flour. I also got some clothes in May for them at $5 and I bought toiletries and hygiene products they could use at $16 in April and $5 in May. I took care of myself by having my hair plaited in May and June for $6.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 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?
My goal is to start a livestock rearing project. I would want to buy goats and chicken for rearing so that whenever I would be faced with any financial challenges in the future, I would sell them and get the money. To achieve this, I always save part of my monthly transfers so that after a certain period of time, I would have the project in place.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the transfers, two of my children were not feeling well and I had to take them to the hospital for treatment. I pent KES. 2000 of the transfers on paying for their hospital bills and the remaining amount of KES. 1470 on food since I also did not have the money to buy for them the required healthy food that they were required to take. I was very grateful for the support at that time of need and I am noe happy that my children a re noe fully recovered.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
This year I have the intention of investing on my farm, especially since after I got enrolled in the program I have so far acquired two goats and two hens. Therefore, I would love to acquire more animals and poultry as well. I also intend on using the amount I receive to continue paying for my child's tuition fee, because that is important to me as well. Last but not least, I hope to open a business before the end of the year, preferably a grocery store, in order to better sustain myself with the profits I make.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother of two children, who rely on me for everything. I separated with my husband and I was left to fend for the family on my own. I started a business of selling local brew which has not been doing well. This has made it difficult for me to effectively meet my family's basic needs like food. Aside from this, my children had to stay at home on several occasions since I wasn't able to raise their school fees. When I began to receive the transfers, I decided to save for the fees every month, which enabled me to pay the arrears on time. My children also enjoy three meals a day, unlike before when we could stay without food for some days. In addition to this, I am also proud to own three goats which I acquired through the transfers. Owning the goats for me is a saving, especially for the future of my children's education. I am keeping them and my expectation is to let them reproduce and increase in number as I can readily rely on them to meet my future financial needs.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I applaud Give Directly for helping to alleviate the hardships caused by drought and poverty in my area. People have used the transfers to purchase food, livestock, clothing, and start businesses, thereby improving their living standards. The transfers also allow us to contribute to our children's education. Nothing is wrong with the way Give Directly operates.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I sell palm wine for a living to help support our family of twelve. Due to the heavy responsibility burden, earning around KES 800 every three days makes it difficult to budget the money to meet all household needs such as food and school fees. In fact, my family had slept hungry for two days prior to the transfer. So, I put KES 1,000 towards the purchase of food that lasted us until today. I saved the remaining KES 2,000 through a self-help group. I intend to withdraw around KES 8,000 in October to buy a goat and start a business of selling women's clothing to supplement my income.
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 had been looking forward to the transfers in order to help relieve my family's hunger. We had run out of food for the previous two days, and I had been unsuccessful in finding money to buy food until that morning. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders when I confirmed the receipt of my transfer. I was confident that the family would finally have food.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
It has always been my desire to own livestock like chicken and goats but my income sources and financial obligations weighed me down. Having an opportunity to actualize this goal through the first transfer is the greatest accomplishment ever. I now own a hen that will continue to multiply and grow the flock. In future, I intend to trade some of the chickens for a goat. This bird will be my personal investment that will help generate funds in times of need.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I rely on selling palm wine to generate income and feed my two children (3-year and 6-month old). The business makes a profit of no more than KES 1,500, which is insufficient to meet all of the needs, given the rising commodity prices. As a result, our household frequently runs out of food, leaving us hungry throughout the day. That is why I used KES 700 from the transfer to buy food that would last at least a week. I used the remaining funds to purchase hen. This has been my goal for the past year, but I was yet to achieve it due to a lack of funds. I intend to let the chicken reproduce and earn money when I sell them to help support my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My parents forced me to separate with my husband after he failed to pay my dowry. No sooner had I returned home than my dad ( who was the only breadwinner) passed away. I could not depend on my elderly mother for provision, so had to look for a job and I found one (selling palm wine). Three months ago I disagreed with my supplier and he stopped bringing wine. I have been jobless since then but with the transfers, I have found a job. I will spend 10 000KES to buy a bale of feminine second- hand clothes. The profit obtained will support my children's basic needs and in paying school uniform.
What is the happiest part of your day?
While selling palm wine I used to save 100 KES each week in table banking up to December when I was able to receive 6000KES. Joy was all over my house when I brought new clothes for the children. I had not forgotten the day for my last born refused to unwear his shoes for bed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband has not given the children and I any support after separating with him. I am currently jobless after losing my job as a palm wine seller. The only choice remaining is to burn charcoal yet I am challenged by my children who are still small to be left alone. I wish to start a small business (selling second- hand clothes) within the village but I lack the initial capital.