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 currently different from how it was in that my family never lacks anything they need. Whenever I ran short of cash, I can easily buy things on credit and repay them when I receive my transfers. Also, my children are always happy since they have had an opportunity to come and live with me unlike before. They used to live with their grandmother since I could not afford to feed them food daily.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My additional goal in life is to build a house for my family. The house my family currently lives in is small and cannot accommodate all of us comfortably. It serves my family as a living room, kitchen and bedroom.
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 been able to practice farming. I recently decided to lease a farm and planted some onions. When they mature, I will sell them and invest the income in other activities. I had not been able to engage myself in farming before since I did not have the capital to use in leasing a farm and in buying the seeds. I settled on crowing onions since it takes a maximum of three months before they are harvested, unlike other crops which take a longer period.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, my life will have changed in that I will have built a house for my family. My wife will be using our current house as a kitchen. Apart from the privacy we will be getting, my status in our community will be elevated since we will not be sleeping with our children in the same room.
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 is different in that I am now able to meet most of the familys needs without having to work for long hours like I used to do before. The transfers has enabled me to get that extra income and reinforce my income and be able to meet the basic needs with a lot of ease. I have also been able to have enough time at home to do or engage in other income generating activities like farming. My current financial status has equally seen me be able to get married since I can provide for the family quite easily.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months I intend to start buying building materials to improve my house. We are living in a mud walled house and this is giving my wife a rough time in terms of maintenance. I plan to buy cement and other building materials to be able to make concrete walls and cement the floor within the next four months.
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 have been able to join a merry go round and been able to make my contribution without fail. Once I get my contribution I will use the money to buy a dairy cow and buy a cart that will see me earn more income and be able to meet most of my family's needs with little ease.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months I expect my life to change in that I shall have started poultry keeping project. This is a project I expect to start once I am done with our home improvement.
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 because I have a poultry project. meeting my family's daily needs is not an impossible task anymore as I have eggs to sell and make money. This has come from getting the transfers and starting poultry keeping. On top of this, I also own a cow that will soon be calving and add to my income sources. I am a better person with these sources of income.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I am planning to start a barbershop I will start by building a small shop and then buy all the necessary equipment for the business.
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 four months is buying a cow. Owning livestock is something that I had desired for a long time but could not afford to buy one because my earnings from my menial jobs could was never enough. I ma so happy to own a cow because I will be getting milk next year.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will have changed in the next six months as I will be economically stronger. I will have a barber business that will be a constant source of income.
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 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 used to have very few clothes and even my children lacked some good clothes. When i started receiving the transfers, i bought my children and myself some new clothes and right now we look alright without the almost tattered clothes that i had. I am glad.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Yes i do, I have thought of starting a small business and i want to start by building a small structure that will house my business.
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 no longer lack food for my family like before where we sometimes could sleep hungry. I buy enough food nowadays to last us for a few days.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, i wish to have built a better house for my family and that i will also be having a dairy cow. This will help me live a better and a more comfortable life.
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 goals, receiving these payment is to buy a bed as am currently sleeping on the floor with a carton. These will make my sleeping more comfortable.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my life is quite differently as I can put on good clothes and a nice shoe which has improve my look. Like never before I receive the transfer I worn be wearing torn clothes which had kept me indoors. Now I can move around and mingle with people freely since i look smart.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months. I expect to buy bed,blanket and mattress which will make me have a good rest and sound sleep. Presently I spent cold night on the floor with a carton and only one blanket.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now put on nice clothes and a good shoe which I had never worn before. I feel comfortable in it and I am proud and thank GD for the payment which has changed my outlook greatly.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Un predictable source of livelihood.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of my day is after lunch when resting
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to build a better. The state of the current house is wanting