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 is different in that I no longer overwork myself in order to meet my daily expenses. The fact that I wholly depended on casual jobs to meet my day to day needs means I really had to do more in order to have enough for my children. I still do the casual jobs though but not as much as I used to do because I now have my own farm to attend to the transfers too help meet some of the necessities. I am glad that through these transfers, I was able to save and buy a dairy cow for rearing. I am a happy woman because of these developments!
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Yes, I do! I am planning to lease a bigger piece of land to improve the scale of my farming. I want to plant more beans to add to the little that I currently plant.
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 that I am happy that I am able to plant my farm on time with the help of these transfer. Initially, I used to depend on menial and casual jobs to earn in order to buy the seeds and fertilizer for planting. Most times, these jobs were not forthcoming hence forcing me to plant late. Am glad that is no longer the case because with the use of the transfers that I receive, I am able to plant what I need on time without any worry and hopefully I will have a better harvest.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My expectation in the near future is to buy my own piece of land. I am a single mum and I still stay with my parents but I have been thinking and planning on getting my own place. I pray that the crops that I planted gives me a good harvest. Hopefully from this, I would get some good proceeds that would enable me buy a piece of land where I would build my house and make it my home.
16th 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 currently is different from how it was four months ago in that no longer struggle so much to put food on the table. After I invested the money I got life got better. I also bought a heifer which gives me hope that in the near future I will be no longer buying milk. I have also developed a saving culture because of the money I received from Give Directly. The saving can help me achieve my goals if I venture into good businesses
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new additional goal for the next four months is to buy a goat and also to rent a piece of land and start practicing horticultural farming. I choose to do these keep goats because they require no attention and their food is locally available. They are also in high demand. Horticultural farming is also a lucrative source of income that requires good farming skills and enough capital. I feel I am equipped with all these, and therefore fit to start practicing it
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer is that I have been able to save a lot of money in a merry go round group that we started recently. This saving group has enabled me to buy a heifer. I don't think I would have been possible to buy one considering the small income I get from the casual jobs. I have hope that in the near future the heifer will grow and reproduce. This means I will have enough milk and the number of my cattle will also increase. It will also allow saving the money I would have used to buy milk. I will be able to buy other household needs that my family needs.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months in that I would have saved enough money in the merry go round that we recently started. After buying a goat and also being able to rent a piece of land for farming, I know I will go far. I will no longer depend on casual jobs in order to meet the needs of my family. Finally, there is hope at the end of the tunnel.
12th 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 in two ways. The first one is that I provide milk for the family because I bought a cow. I sell some of the milk and get money for meeting other daily needs. Secondly, Is having a business to do. I started a grocery business that has been a life-changing initiative. I work in the business every day earning me at least KES 200. These two sources of income have completely changed y life. I am able to meet my needs and those of my family.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I will lease a piece of land and plant beans and potatoes. Venturing into this short season crops will help me get more returns from the farm. This will help me earn quickly as it takes only three months to maturity.
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 that I now have a business. I started a business to trade in grocery using the money I received. I earn a daily income from this ever expanding business. GiveDirectly has given me an income earning activity. I wake up everyday having plans on what to do the wholw day unlike before when I used to count on luck to get menial jobs. am a very happy person
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will be having more assets. I will be having a cow and a farm to till. This piece of land will have produced a crop and will be in use to produce more. I will be in the second season of producing beans and potatoes. This will be a good source of income that will help me to meet my needs.
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I changed my mind of going to look for a job to work as a house help once I received my transfer I am now looking forward to earning an income from farming and other alternative means.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am happier and less stressed about providing for my family. The transfer gives me hope, At least every month I have money to sustain my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my living standard will have improved in the next six months. I will lease more land for planting cereals. I will the be more stable in terms of income generation.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I believe the transfer has transformed my life. I was able to buy uniform for my son who had suffered and also leased a piece of land to farm.
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Dropping out of school at a younger age because of school fee problem is the biggest hardship i have faced in my life. Without education, life has been hard for me and my child.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because it is the time i rest and enjoy with family.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
Am planning spend my transfer on farm work. I will use it to purchase farm tools, seeds and other requirements that i might need.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
Starting up subsistence farming is an achievement am proudest of in life. Right now i am able to provide a meal to my family because of that work.