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?
The difference in my life in the last four months is that I no longer have to borrow money and take loans as I used to before the transfer. Income from casual work was not enough to meet all my needs and for me to ensure we have the basic needs, I was forced to take loans. I could not be at peace because anytime I had money, I would only use it to pay back loans. In the last four months, I have managed to pay back all the debts I had. Thanks to GD.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I wish to buy building material such as timber, nails and iron sheets which I will use in building a kitchen. I have my grandchildren whom I have been taking care of but when it comes sleeping, I have always failed to provide for their safety. This is because they have to walk at night to find a place to sleep
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have been struggling to raise money to meet school requirements such as school fees, uniform, books, and uniform for my daughter in secondary. This is because I have always depended on income from casual work which is not only inconsistent but also very little. In most cases, I have always failed to meet the needs in time and I would have to sit home with my daughter as I look for the money to pay. Since I started receiving these transfers, I have always met her needs in time because I have good credit records and I get money on a monthly basis. This has helped her improve on her performance because she has more time to study.
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 livestock in my compound. I am planning to use part of my transfers to pay for a sheep or a goat. Livestock is a good investment and I would also want to invest in it. This is because its value increases on a daily basis which is a sign of wealth.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
The other difference in my life is that I have building materials which I will use in building a kitchen. I have always dreamt of having a kitchen since I do not have any now. I always cook outside since the main house does not have enough space to cook inside it. During the rainy season as now, I find it hard to cook since where I cook is rained on daily. I have been using part of the transfer to buy building materials such as iron sheets and timber which I will use in building the kitchen I have been dreaming of. Thanks to Give Directly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I wish to buy a cow as an investment for my family. I know through this, I will be able to sell it to raise money for an emergency without having to beg and borrow from friends and relatives as before. When it reproduces, I will have a herd which is a good investment.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving these transfers is that I no longer struggle to raise school fees for my grandson who have I have been taking care of since the death of his parents. I have been depending on income from casual work and it was very little, not enough to meet all my needs. I would struggle to raise money to even feed my family since casual work was not consistent. Ever since I started receiving these transfers, I have been able to pay his school fees bit by bit until I was able to clear the balance. Right now I now feel at peace since the balance is manageable.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I want to ensure my grandson is always in school studying. I will ensure this happens by paying his school fees in time before he is sent home for the same. I know when he has quality studying time, he will get good grades and get a well-paying job to help him better future.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
attach_money
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Since I do not have a stable source of income and I totally depend on casual work which is not only inconsistent but with very low income. In most cases when one of us is sick, I could not afford quality healthcare services becvause of I did not have th resources to pay for that. With GD ttransfers, I was able to get quality medication together with my children because of GD transfers. I am glad we are healthy and I know my life will be much better thriugh these transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to buy a cow. This is because from it I will reduce my daily expenses on buying milk when it gives birth and be able to sell its offsprings to raise money to pay school fees and solve other family needs.
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 my granddaughter whom I have been taking care of since the death of her parents is rarely sent home for school fees. This has been my biggest worry because it was her desire to get to secondary school and finish her education. I was so worried I would not help her achieve her dreams due to my financial status. I depend on casual work which does not give much and is inconsistent. I am glad because I feel relieved I will help her fulfil her dreams through GD transfers.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I plan to pay school fees for my grandchild. As she requested and has shown commitment towards her education, I would like to give her the best because I know with her determination, she will achieve her dreams. I want the best for her and I will sacrifice my pleasure for her dreams.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
attach_money
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily is that l no longer worry so much a bout what to eat because right now l am very sure of receiving money every month.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months l expect to have build a kitchen.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it was because l longer go without food as compared to before.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to start dairy farming as my future investment.
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of a house for a very long time. This could stress me up and I did not know how to overcome the situation. I had stayed in a grass thatched house ever since.Now I am happy though I have only stayed in this permanent house for two months.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is, in the morning when I go out and do some casual labour in other people's farms since I know I will get money to feed my family.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer to, buy plough and bulls for my farming because now I am old and can not dig using my hands and also use it as a way of income generation when neighbours will be hiring it.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is, that I now have a semi permanent house from a small grass thatched house which used to leak during rainny seasons and we would be rained on with my grandchildren in the house, it was a very hard life to live.