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?
I bought a sheep and a few chicken months ago which am quite pleased about. I have also bought water storage materials to replace those that were stolen from our compound months ago. Considering how much the transfer is, it is usually very tough to save up for such stuff because the basic needs such as foodstuff and health issues are mostly so hard to ignore. I am however happy that I have managed to buy something to show for the money I have been receiving.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I wish to pay for my wife's dowry which has been our wish for the longest time now. This has however been delayed by lack of proper income making it hard to plan because the ceremony is usually very costly. We have agreed to save up as a family so that when the December holidays come, I can finally fulfil the requirement.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
There was a serious case of theft within our village in the past few months which affected my family as well. Almost all my water storage vessels were stolen leaving my family with a lot of problems as we could not harvest any rainwater. Considering how tough it is to get water around here being that we live very far away from any water body,this was a big blow. Because of this, we had to but water from the local vendors daily which was very costly and inconveniencing. In the past two months, we decided to save our transfers which we then used to purchase new water storage drums which has saved us a lot of money as we can now harvest and store rainwater so we don't have to spend on water as we did before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I have a lot of pressure coming from my wife to pay her dowry before the year ends which is giving me sleepless nights. I am hoping that I will have saved up enough money to pay the dowry within the next few months so that I can some peace of mind and even the freedom to invest on other projects as well.
14th 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?
I managed to buy building materials like cement, sand and iron sheets to build a new roof and plaster it. Previously, I had built a new house but could not afford to buy iron sheets to build its roof or buy cement to plaster the wall and floor due to my low income. I also bought clothes for my family. I also ventured into both poultry farming and large scale maize farming to help boost my income hence change in standards of living. I can eat nutritious food and even sell the surplus.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I would like to save to buy barbed wire to fence my homestead to enhance the security of my home. I would also like to buy more livestock for rearing to sell later for financial security.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life is that I have developed so much using the transfers. I have managed to save in a merry-go-round and buy building materials like iron sheets, nails and poles to build a new roof, cement and sand to use in plastering my house.I now have a stunningly beautiful house that is the envy of every villager.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to save towards buying barbed wire to use in fencing my homestead. This will help in enhancing my home security and also help protect my livestock from straying or from stray animals. I also wish to save some more and buy livestock to add to my flock. This will see my wealth multiplying.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Apart from having a new house, I have been able to buy household items using GD transfers. I have always felt bad at night when we are having family time and my children tell me about the neighbour's house, how they have television, good sound system and good seats. This really caused a lot of jealousy in me. I have always envied them and I felt bad anytime I came home and find my children are away watching television in my neighbour's house. I have always prayed that God will one day bless me and I will also be able to buy my own. Right now, I have my own television, sub-woofer and sofa set which really makes me happy. I always find my children very happy watching and even if I have my own programme to watch, I always let them continue watching. They are my joy whenever they are happy.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to buy a goat. I know this will change my life positively. When it reproduces, I will have a good number which is an investment for my family. In the next years to come, when I have financial difficulties which I cannot handle with my little income, I would be able to sell some of them to handle such issues without having to beg or borrow money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving these transfers is that I have a new iron-roofed house. I have always lived in a grass thatched house which has been too small for my family. We have always had to move seats at night so as to create sleeping space for my children and in most cases, if I had visitors, I would have to take some of my household properties outside at night. This has not been giving me peace because I have always tried to avoid any chance of someone visiting me. When I first received the transfer, I used part of it and saved to help in buying building materials. Right now, I have a house which I built as a result of my savings from GD transfers. I feel at peace anytime my children sleep because we have enough space in the house.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would like to build a new kitchen. In as much as I have a spacious house, I have always wanted to have a separate kitchen where the cooking is done. The same kitchen will also act as a sleeping place for my children when they come of age. I would not want to share the same house with them always and that is why I planning to build a kitchen where they can also have a private place as they do their own things.
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I am now able to buy enough food for my family, and the money normally comes at a time when I am so broke and have no cash to sort out my financial needs at that time.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal includes fencing my compound
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference is that I recently erected a new roof, something that took me so long to achieve.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will change because I will be able to save enough cash that will help me start a small business for my wife. The business will generate an income for the family in the long run.
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?
My new goal is to change my roof. The current one is leaking and when GiveDirectly phased in to our community,I had to make a new goal of replacing it.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My current life is different in from how it would never been were it not for the transfer is that my family at least now have enough to feed on after I spent some on food for them.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the six months,I expect to staying in a leak free house. It will be a clean house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest different in my daily life is since I started receiving this transfer is that at least I have new goals. Something I never thought of doing for lack of money.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is not being able to take my children to good school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening when i accomplished my days work.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
In the first year of receiving the money i wan to save it and fence my compound and in the second year i will be using the money to farm. I will be buying farm tools and fertilizer every month. However i will use part of the money in feeding the family.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is being able to own a home. Most people are not able to built their own homes.