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?
In the upcoming year, my main goal is to complete college, which I have been working hard to achieve. This is the foundation for my future. Once I have my diploma in hand, I plan to seek employment in my field of study. Getting a job will be my first step toward financial independence, allowing me to support myself and start giving back to my family. After that, I will evaluate my options and decide what’s next for me. Whether it’s furthering my education, advancing in my career, or exploring new opportunities, I know that finishing college will open doors to a brighter future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a college student who also runs a small chicken vending business to support myself while studying. Since my sponsor takes care of most of the tuition fees, I have been paying for my examination fees. With the recent three transfers, I prioritized my education by using $60 to pay for my examination fees. This allows me to continue my studies without any interruptions, as my education is very important for my future. I want to complete my course and secure a better job, so paying these fees was a top priority. In addition to that, I spent $10 on medication. Staying healthy is essential, especially when balancing school and business, so I needed to take care of my well-being. Finally, I used the remaining $32 to buy food, ensuring I had enough to keep myself nourished and focused. These transfers have helped me manage my responsibilities smoothly, allowing me to concentrate on both my studies and my small business.
26th 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?
In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to continue my studies and pursue a career as a journalist, advocating for the voiceless in society. I strongly believe in doing things correctly and in the equality of all individuals. Injustice deeply troubles me, and I am committed to promoting peace. As a future journalist, I aspire to enlighten people's minds through education. I plan to study diligently and save enough to make my dream come true.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had a school fees balance of $100. Upon receiving my most recent transfer, I allocated $68 to pay part of my fees, ensuring I have ample time to focus on studying. I spent $14 on food to avoid hunger, and the remaining $20 went towards paying my house rent. This financial support has greatly eased my stay in school, and I deeply appreciate it.
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 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?
I have a sponsor who supported me, enabling me to enroll in college in January. My goal is to study diligently and pursue a career as a journalist, advocating for the voiceless in society. I strongly believe in doing things correctly, and I firmly believe in the equality of all individuals. I am deeply troubled by injustice and strive to promote peace. As a future journalist, I aspire to enlighten people's minds through education. I plan to study hard and save enough to make my dream come true.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After completing my Form Four, I initially faced challenges in joining school. However, thanks to God, I managed to secure a sponsor who enabled me to enroll. I chose Pwana Technical to further my studies in Mass Communication. Upon receiving the transfer, I felt grateful and allocated $20 to cover my tuition balance that I had not paid. I am deeply thankful to GiveDirectly for their support and for making my academic life become easier. Additionally, I spent $9 on purchasing food for myself, ensuring I can focus on my studies without any disruptions. With the remaining $5, I was able to settle my debt, bringing me immense happiness.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am grateful that the cash transfers enabled me to secure a motorbike on credit, which I now use for my taxi business. This opportunity has allowed me to support my family, a task that was challenging before the cash transfers. My goal is to fully pay for the motorcycle by May next year. Beyond that, I plan to replace my current mud-walled structure with a brick house. Brick walls are stronger and not susceptible to destruction by rain, providing a more secure and durable home for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My life has significantly transformed since I started receiving the cash transfers. Initially lacking a stable income, I utilized the initial cash transfers to acquire a motorbike on credit, enabling me to start a taxi business. Now, I've become a primary provider for my family unlike before. In the recent three cash transfers, I invested in a goat worth $34, expanding my herd to 10 goats. Owning these goats has proven beneficial, as I occasionally sell some to cover essential needs like food. There was a time when I faced chest complications, and I spent $20 on medication. Am glad to be recovering well right now. Another $25 went into plowing our farm and buying maize seeds for planting, as the short rains season had just begun. The remaining amount from the transfers was used to purchase food and ensure our family never missed a meal.
14th 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 biggest ambition is to return to school. I finished high school in 2009 but was unable to enroll in college. I'm looking forward to starting college in September to pursue a course in information technology, which I believe will broaden my skill set and allow me to get a better career to assist my parents and siblings. Because my poultry business is performing well, I aim to use the proceeds to pay for my education.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I'm happy to report that this project has considerably improved my life since its inception. As a motorcycle rider, I barely generate enough money to support my parents and myself each day. I started a chicken coop, and my flock grew from two to an astounding 56 chickens in a matter of months. I sell them in batches to boost my earnings. I can now support my family since I have a second source of income. I spent $30 on chicken feed and an additional $20 on personal expenses. I then spent $30 cultivating land where I planted maize, but it took some time for it to mature, so I had to buy food costing $30.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 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?
I completed my high school education some years back, but I had never gotten a chance to join college due to the lack of money., therefore my main goal is to see myself back to school in the near future. I had been saving part of my transfers and I would still continue saving so that by the end end of this year, I would have enough money that would help me to pay for my school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My house was in a dilapidated state and one side of the building was almost falling down, but I had no money that could help me put it in a better shape, but luckily I received the transfers from GiveDirectly that was of help in terms of buying roofing sheets worth KES. 2000 to fix on the areas that were greatly affected. I also bought food for my family worth KES.470 and saved the remaining amount of KES. 1000 for my future needs.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I love the unconditional transfers from Give Directly are helping uplift lives of the poor in our village. However, I would like to urge the organization to increase the monthly allocation so that we can beat the high prices of food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I completed my secondary education ten years ago but did not proceed to college due to a lack of school fees. I ventured into doing casual jobs such as building houses, fetching water and working as motorcycle rider “Boda Boda”. Recently, fuel prices hiked up and this lead to lack of business. Customers are opting to use other cheaper modes of transport, leaving me with no income at all. I have struggled to buy food for my family and even incurred some debts. I bought food worth KES 1400 when I received my transfer. We lacked food for two days and buying the food was a relief for the family. I paid off a debt of KES 600 to my friend who helped me when I was going through a rough time. Finally, I bought a new phone for my grandmother after I accidentally lost hers at work. Buying the phone will enable her to communicate with her relatives and receive money with ease.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As soon as I learned that I had received my transfer, I felt so good and grateful to GiveDirectly. This was the least expected experience because at first, I was doubting how practical it would be to give such a huge number of people such a large sum of financial support. Indeed on that day, I was so glad and super excited to have received the transfer. It was at around 9 am and I had gone to Mariakani to fix a technical problem my motorcycle had the. I am so happy I am among the lucky community members.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Living in a house for nearly two months without a door had a worry and a major concern for me. I had never imagined that I could be in such a situation whereby fixing just the door of my house would be a struggle. Nonetheless, I am so glad that courtesy of the transfer, I was able to fix the problem. I count on this as the biggest difference I have witnessed in my life since I began receiving my transfer. Thanks to GiveDirectly for considering me for such major support in my lifetime.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I sat for my O level two years ago and because I could not join college, I opted to ride a motorcycle to earn a living. I am living with my mother who is a widow following the demise of my dad. Life has not been very easy for us although I have been able to struggle to offer as much support as I can to my mother. Immediately after I began building a house, the motorcycle taxi business went down as a result of the hike in fuel prices. Therefore I could not even fix the door for two months, however, when I received the transfer, I used KES 500 to fix the door. I am glad that currently, it is lockable. The rest of the transfer helped us to obtain food. I am glad that as a family, we were able to buy additional food.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My dream is to be a journalist, an investigative reporter, and if possible an activist likes Martin Luther King. My first step is to enroll in a course in Journalism.
I cleared my high school a few years back but was never able to enroll in any course. I am glad I can now accomplish this goal. It has been a tough journey since I completed school. Having to find different types of hustle just to make ends meet.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am grateful to be alive during these tough times, the cost of living has gone high but through it all, I have learned to be grateful. Waking up every morning is a gift.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been a boda boda operator for several years. I make a profit of 200 KES a day which is not enough for my needs. This industry has its challenges, but the ones I face are the number of operators increasing and the fuel prices have also gone high, and the prices we charge our customers are the same.
I look back and I realize I have not made any progress in life. I feel stuck. I am not able to marry too because I feel I can not handle the responsibility that comes with having a wife.