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.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I still plan to use my monthly transfers to pay my house rent. My parents have been taking care of my fees and I would not want to burden them with rent issues too.
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 never lacked money to pay for my house rent. I am currently in university and I did not manage to get space in school hostels since I reported late. By the time I was reporting back, the hostels were full so I had to stay outside the school compound. This means I have to pay rent on a monthly basis. Since I do not have any source of income, I have been using my monthly transfers to pay for my rent. I have never been locked out of the house and I have a good relationship with my landlord because I have never faulted in paying rent.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will be better in the next six months through the transfers in that I will always have money to pay for my house rent. We agreed with my father that he will always cater for my fees and food and I will always use my transfers to pay my house rent. For me to have an easy time in school and also not overburden my parents, I would want to keep my word and use my transfers to pay for my house rent.
19th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, I can easily buy my own clothes, and school stationeries without bothering my parents for the last four months. GiveDirectly's transfers have built the virtue of being responsible through budgeting with the money I have for the whole month without putting unnecessary demands to my parents bearing in mind the financial obligations they have on my younger sibling too.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My goal is to continue paying rent on time which will help me stay in peace with my landlord hence having ample time to focus on my education. My plan is to ensure I finish college with good grades without letting my parents down. All these plans are falling into place because of the help we are getting from Give Directly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life for the last four months is that I have paid rent on time by not stressing my parents so much like I used to do before. I can now study peacefully because my house is rarely locked due to not paying rent on time at the same time I am because my parents have taken a break to focus on my other siblings' career betterment buy using the money they would have sent me to achieve other family goals.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My expectation for the next six months is to use the money in acquiton of the necessary requirements in school which will give me an ample time to concentrate and study hard in college and later secure a good job after completing my course with good grades. As a result, I shall become a responsible and supportive individual to my family.
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from how it was in that, I do not stress my parent so much like I used to do before. I remember I would at times lie to be in need of something in order to get money to buy personal items. I used to feel bad but it was the only way to get what I wanted at that time. I feel relieved because I don't have to make them hustle anymore. I feel that I am no longer a bother to them. I can now study peacefully because my house is rarely locked due to not paying rent on time. My performance has also improved because I have ample time to study.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have any new goal at the moment. I still want to focus on paying rent. I do not want to default to pay the money because it might interfere with my studies. I also feel good because my parents have now taken a break and can focus on my other siblings. They can now use the money they would have sent me to achieve other family goals and make our lives better. I also want to work hard and ensure I finish school without letting my parents down. All these plans are falling into place because of the help we are getting from Give Directly.
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 is that I have been able to pay rent without fail. The pocket money that I get from my parents is channeled towards other needs such as buying food and once in a while buy clothes. I feel responsible because I no longer bother my parents so much like before. I am happy that GiveDirectly considered students like me because most of the times we are forgotten since people feel we don't need the help as much as our parents do.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I am planning to save in the next six months. The savings will help me in the next semester after my attachment. This will give my parents a break since attachments usually need a lot of money. I, therefore, have to save since I will have drained their pockets. I will also not feel the pinch if I start the semester on the right foot. I will be able to settle and study well.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, my life is currently different than it was four months ago in that I can easily buy my own clothes, shoes, and school stationeries without bothering my parents. I feel a sense of maturity whenever I manage to acquire what I need without putting unnecessary demand to my parents since they have a lot of financial obligations.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, my additional dream is to continue with my studies. I shall continue to use the transfers that I always receive from GiveDirectly to acquire some stationaries. The rest will help me meet part of my rent since I stay in a rental house outside the college.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life in the past four months is that currently I am enrolled for an electrical installation course in a Technical College. For several years, I had desired to advance my study although this could not be realized since my parents are low-income earners. Besides, they have a huge responsibility of ensuring that my siblings attain at least secondary education. However, from the transfers, I have finally managed to join college and I am ambitious that l shall study hard and later secure a good job. As a result, I shall become a responsible and supportive man in my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to begin saving and wisely investing my transfers on business that requires less capital within the college. This will make me an independent person thus I shall no longer rely on my parents any form of support but instead support them in paying school fees for my siblings. I will, therefore, not be of a burden to them.
7th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from the way it was four months ago in that I can afford transport to the college thus I do not get late for classes. I have been able to get the college requirement too without any challenges.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have a new goal for the next four months but all I want is to work hard at my studies and have a better future.
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 transfers is that I no longer get late for classes because of walking for a long distance to school. This is because I can now afford to pay for transport to the college.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to pay full attention to my studies and excel in it.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
455 KES ($4 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
attach_money
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I joined a table banking to be able to save in order to pay school fees.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I was able to repair my bicycle which makes attending my classes easier.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next 6 months as i would have saved and joined college.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since i started receiving the payments is repairing my bicycle which enabled me to attend my Computer packages classes regularly.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life, was walking long distance to a day school, a situation that generally affected my KCSE performance because I was always late to class.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon, when I meet friends and reflect on our life experiences as we discuss ways to overcome life challenges.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer to enroll for an electrical installation course which will help me to get a job.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of in my life, was being the first person in my family to complete secondary education since most of my siblings dropped out of school at primary level due to lack of school fees and early pregnancy.