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 have seen the hustle and bustle that comes with educating children. It is not a walk in the park. I want to be ready to get my children educated without so much of a strain. My main plan is cattle. Buying goats and chicken builds towards owning cows. I now have cow and 5 goats. I want the number of the goats to increase so I can sell those goats and buy more cows and in turn achieve my long dream of educating all my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a young mother of two. Most of my finances go into saving up and investing in the education of my children. I have been able to buy animals that I plan to breed so they can multiply. I bought a goat worth $34 from my transfers. I was also able to buy cement and poles for building at $30. I saved $10 to my village savings group where I plan to save until my youngest starts school. I was also able to pay school fees for my oldest at $10 and buy food at $18.
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Over the next year and beyond, my primary objective is to establish a livestock rearing project; my long-held ambition. My previous transfers have significantly contributed to starting this venture and I currently have 4 goats. I plan to continue allocating part of my monthly transfers to purchase one goat each month, at a cost of around $30, with the understanding that this investment will be beneficial in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received the transfers at a critical time when I was struggling to make ends meet. My child had outstanding school fees that I needed to settle, which was causing me a lot of sleepless nights as I didn't have the means to pay it. Thankfully, the transfers came through at the right time and I was able to clear the entire $10 balance. Earlier this year, I also joined a savings group where we contribute $10 monthly, and with the payment deadline approaching I was worried as well, but upon receiving the transfers, I managed to make my contribution, which was a huge relief. With the remaining amount, I decided to set aside $10 to purchase 2 bags of cement for my house construction and used $4.70 to buy food for my family of four as we were left with nothing. I am immensely grateful to GiveDirectly for their support during this challenging time.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Looking ahead, my primary focus in the upcoming months is to expand my investment in acquiring livestock. As the herd expands, it will generate income through future sales. Concurrently, I aim to finalize the construction of my house, having completed the walls and now progressing to the remaining task of roofing. Subsequently, I intend to utilize my forthcoming transfers to procure the necessary iron sheets and complete the construction. I am grateful for the support provided by the transfers, which not only facilitated the purchase of food during the drought but also has enabled us to prepare our land as we embrace the arrival of rainfall.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I allocated $20 to settle a $10 school fee arrear for my daughter and covered the $10 fee payment for the current term, ensuring her uninterrupted education. Furthermore, I invested $44 in purchasing a goat and two hens, foreseeing future profits from their offspring, which will serve as a sustainable income source for my family. During the festive period, I bought a $4 dress for my daughter, bringing her joy and radiance. Additionally, I utilized a tractor to plough my 1-acre land, securing an abundant food supply for the upcoming days. Concluding my expenses, I allocated $5 to purchase food for my family. The financial support I've received has been instrumental in enabling my family and me to pursue a better quality of life.
13th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 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 started with basic farming, and now I am aiming to do even better by raising cattle. Using the idea that worked when I bought a goat, I'm getting ready to invest in cows. Cows are really helpful in farming and also they provide milk that can be used at home. I'm showing how determined and smart I am by taking this step forward and I believe it will not only benefit me but also my family as a whole. Thank you so much GiveDirectly, for your support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Embracing the roles of both mother and financial strategist, I have orchestrated a prudent plan to fortify my family's future. With one child diligently in school and the other a toddler, I seized an opportunity upon receiving my transfers to secure my children's future. Allocating $33, I ventured into acquiring a goat, a shrewd investment primed for growth. I currently have two goats and I am anticipating the goats offspring; I'm poised to translate this endeavor into a sustainable source of income, nurturing financial stability. The remaining amount of $1, was thoughtfully dedicated to securing sustenance for the day. This orchestration of funds exemplifies my unwavering dedication to steering my family toward prosperity through innovative and strategic means.
10th 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?
My goal is to become an animal farmer and I also wish to get a new house. My house has over time fallen apart and this has been quite a stressing thing. One of the wall came apart and this has exposed the house to leaking and entry of insects such as mosquitoes, especially during the rain, and wind in the night. I would like for my family to have better living quarters. My husband and I are both receiving Givedirectly transfers we plan to pull the money together once we harvest so we can save towards building a new house. I am also aiming to buy a number of additional animals to increase my flock.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been a housewife for the most part of my life because of the drought and I have only recently ventured into farming. I depend on my husband who does constriction jobs to ensure we have a meal but receiving Givedirectly transfers has alleviated the strain on him. I used a portion of the transfers to buy food, in March I used $25 to buy flour and in may I bought vegetables using $1 of the transfers while in May $24 went into buying a bundle of flour. I also Bought a number of animals, in March I got 3 chicken at $2 each, in April I got a goat at $33. I have also been able to pay school fees for my three children, I paid $3 plus $2 from my husband , and in May I paid $10.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 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?
The beginning of the year was not quite great for me and my family, and this is because, due to the really heavy rainfall one of the walls of my house unfortunately collapsed because the foundation was not that great and also because it's a mud house. My intention with the money that I will receive this year is to ensure that me and my husband can come together to finally feel like we have a better home for ourselves and that we don't have to worry about it collapsing anymore. I will preferably want to buy bricks this time around so that we can have a more permanent home with a better foundation. I also plan on using the money to provide nourishment for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The recent transfers have been of great help to me and my family. I am a stay-at-home parent, relying majorly on my husband who does casual construction jobs. His jobs are not reliable since he can go for days without securing one. This makes it difficult for us to provide adequate food, buy new clothes and also pay school fees for the children. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because the transfers have come in handy and helped to sort out these expenses. I bought enough foodstuffs such as corn and vegetables and also paid for water expenses. I also did shopping for new clothes for the whole family during the festive season. Lastly, I purchased a goat and added it to my existing goat shed as an investment. I expect it will reproduce and increase in number. I will sell the offspring to sort out my future financial needs, like educating my two children who are still young.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly did well in giving cash transfers directly through mobile money to poor individuals in our village. Furthermore, the organization officers were very polite and ready to answer any questions when they visit us during the enrollment. The transfers have reduced the burden of providing for the basic needs of many individuals. I am very grateful for the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to start poultry rearing by purchasing 3 chickens for $10, this is a reliable source of income for myself. Previously, I was a housewife depending on my husband who is a casual laborer doing house construction. Starting poultry rearing has transformed me into being self-reliant, I can now cater for any small financial challenge without depending on my spouse's earnings. I also used $10 to support the education of my firstborn who is in junior school. With the remaining amount, I bought food and water for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
No one has given me such an amount of money in my entire life nor have I engaged in any economic activity. I have always relied on my spouse since we got married. When I received the first transfer I was delighted! I could not believe it! It was around 9 pm when I received the confirmation message and after that, I could not keep calm but kept talking about the money with my spouse and praising GiveDirectly for the support. That was one of the happiest moments of my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having supported my spouse in meeting our household needs is the biggest difference in my daily life. He does construction work, but they are not reliable and there are times he misses getting the jobs for weeks. This translates to money for our needs. We have two children, and they were all unwell at the time when I received the first transfer yet my spouse had not been lucky to get the construction work for two weeks. I am glad the money came in handy and our children got medication. I feel proud of having made an impact in our household.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Two of my children were down with flu so when I received the first transfer I took them to the hospital where I spent KES 1000 on both doctor's consultation and their medication. Since we did not have enough corn flour, I bought 16 kilograms worth of KES 1500 and spent the remaining KES 500 on five chicks to rear for business. I am glad the money was of great help as we did not have the means to meet all these needs. I do not have any source of income and my spouse is the sole breadwinner and did not have money at that time. The construction work that he does is not reliable and the much he makes from it can not sustain our needs. Besides, he had missed work for two weeks before we received our first transfer and thus had no money for family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Whenever my husband makes a call telling me he is coming home, migrane follows figuring out where my daughter could be hosted throughout his stay. It has been the case for the last two years. We live in a 3m by 4m house with only one bed which cannot accommodate my two children, my husband and I. For privacy reasons the firstborn is forced to relocate whenever his father is around. We saved towards expansion of the house and the little we gathered was able to bring 2000 blocks and a 10tonnes of gravel. The GiveDirectly transfers will help in buying cement and also pay labour. My plan is to save 2000KES for five months in table banking after which I can be granted a loan of double the amount which will be enough to erect the walls of the house. I will use the same plan for the second phase which will be towards roofing. It is my wish to have the house done within the first two years of the transfers.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It was a blessing and so joyful to welcome my second born in the eve of the last day of the year 2021. As others were celebrating the new year, I had a double share of joy, my beautiful girl was turning one day old. What increased my joy was the fact that the baby was born without much complications as compared to the first.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is a casual labourer in town getting a daily wage of 400KES. He rarely comes home since most of the cash he gets is drained by paying rent and cater for his needs as another portion is sent home leaving him with no coin to ferry him home. We have two children and the first was enrolled in school one year ago. Due to lack of enough money, the girl is in and out of school because of school fees. We are challenged by spacious accommodation for the family yet we have not been able to expand the house. We cook, eat, store everything and sleep in one confined room which makes it dangerous for the health of the children yet we cannot help ourself out.
