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?
I have a new goal of saving money which I will use to pay school fees and admission fees for my daughter who will be joining university within the next four to five months. In order to achieve this, I will have to make sure that my financial discipline is very high so as to to see that this goal is realized.
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 get an income despite the fact that I already retired from my official job. I am able to take care of the school expenses of my children which would have been a heavy burden.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to build a new house for myself which is part of our traditions requirement for an old man of my age. This is a tradition that I have to live by like it was designed by our forefathers.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 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 have been saving part of my transfers specifically for school fees, thus it has made my work very easy because I am able to pay school fees for my children constantly without any difficulty, they are no longer sent home fo fee balance unlike before when I had not started saving.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My additional goal in the next four months is to start saving from my transfers and also part of our business profit to enable me to buy a motorbike for transporting goods to the market.
I believe apart from using it as a means of transport I can use for taxi business.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The greatest difference in my daily life is that I boosted our cereal and grocery business though we pulled our transfers together with my wife because this is a family business.
I thank Give Directly for having given us money, since I have varieties of goods in my shop, it has attracted more people to come and buy from our shop. I have experienced an increase in daily sales hence more income.
We are staying a happy family because of financial stability. I also seek frequent medical check-up due to my condition, without straining financially.
I have school-going children and I do pay their fees in time and buy them school items like books and school uniforms with ease. My family is eating well and my children are very neat and smart compared to how they were before had I not started receiving money from Give Directly.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have bought a motorbike to ease transportation of goods to the market to cut transportation cost. I believe I will have an additional source of income because I will also use it for taxi business.
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 children have been going to school without being sent away by the teachers due to p[ending fees arrears. Four months ago, things used to be quite different and stressful for me because getting enough money to pay for the two girls was never an easy thing.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am currently working hard to ensure that we get a good harvest at the end of the season so that my family can have enough food for the following months after the harvesting season. I have to make sure that I do my best right now which may include buying fertilizer and using hybrid seeds which gives a high yield as compared to the local seeds.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference for me I would say is the school fees that I have been paying for my two daughters who are currently pursuing their high school courses. Having two people at such a level is quite cumbersome for a parent like me because a lot of money is required in order to keep them in school. I initially used to struggle so much to the extent of even selling part of my livestock in order to be able to raise the amount of fee required for the two ladies.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to change my life within the next six months because, for one, we shall have harvested whatever we are currently planting in the farm. The stock from the farm will bring a big change in my life because my family members will have enough food to eat for the other following months after we are done with the harvesting session. Beyond that, I also know that I will not get stuck with the fee burden because I will have a chance of selling part of the harvested stock to my clients and get some little cash in return, which I may then use to pay their school fees.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 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 how it was four months ago because l am so stressed as before because too much responsibilities and no income.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to start cattle farming. This will save me in future when it comes to pay fee to my children.
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 l am able to pay school fee to my children comfortably without too much stress.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months l expect to have started cattle farming for my future use.
7th 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?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago in that, I easily pay school for my three children.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is organise for a funeral memorial of my son.
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 easily take care of my needs like paying school fees, buying food and even boosting my business unlike before.
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 will have bought an oxen to help in ploughing my parcel of land.
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 start a business specifically running a shop to earn a living.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it would have been if I never received the transfer in that, I managed to pay school for my daughter since I know that my child's eduaction is very important and this is the best thing that I can give her.
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 will have managed to start a business hence taking care of my daily needs easily.
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 payments is that, I feel relieved since I managed to send my daughter back to school who was sent home for almost a week after paying part of the money needed.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I face right now is ill health. I am currently unemployed and have no medical cover so I fear that I may succumb to this ailment.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is around lunch time, when I am having a meal with both my wives.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to save this money and pay school fees for my daughter who is at the university.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is having built two houses for my wives. This was possible because I saved my salary when I was employed.