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?
I am currently building a new house for my family, as the one we live in now is so rundown and unsafe that I feel as if I am practically sleeping outside. It is even on the verge of collapsing. To make this new home a reality, I have been using a portion of my previous transfers to buy building materials. My goal for the coming year and beyond is to keep investing part of my transfers from GiveDirectly toward buying more materials until the house is fully completed. Once we are able to move in, I will feel a huge sense of relief, no longer worrying about the house falling down on us. Afterward, I plan to use another portion of the transfers to buy goats and chicken, hoping they will multiply over time, creating a sustainable resource that I can rely on to support my family in the future. I am incredibly grateful for this support and looking forward to better days ahead.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am currently building a new house for my family, as our current one is so damaged that we have to prop it up with logs just to stay sheltered. Using my previous transfers, I have gradually purchased building materials to make this dream a reality. With my most recent transfers from GiveDirectly, I spent $60 on iron sheets, aiming to complete this house and provide my family with a safe space. I also have three children in school, so I used another $19 of my transfers for their school fees, ensuring they would not be sent home for unpaid fees. I spent the remaining $23 of the transfers toward food for my family, as we are facing hunger and need to keep food on the table. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for helping me build a secure home for my family, as I do not know what I would have done without this support. I am happy and truly thankful for all the assistance that GiveDirectly is giving me and my family.
25th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 5 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, I do not have any other goal but to build a house for my children. Initially, this was not possible simply because I used to rely on casual jobs that are unreliable and low paying as well. Therefore, I want to use my monthly transfer from GiveDirectly to fulfill this dream. Already, I have acquired some iron sheets which I buy every month to support my meet my goal. Once I will build that house, I will be very happy. I do not like where my children are sleeping right now. Since my mother also has a one-roomed house, I did not have any option but to make my four children sleep at my mother's house no matter how her house is small. Therefore, I thank Give Directly because through them I am optimistic that I will meet my goal house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am planning to build a more spacious two-room house for my family of four children and a wife. I decided to allocate a larger portion of my recent transfer, $60, to buy six iron sheets for the house. Currently, my children sleep in their grandmother's one-room house, which is not comfortable for them. I want to ensure that they have their privacy and a more comfortable living space as they are growing up. I also used $30 to pay school fees for my four children to prevent them from being sent home for fee balances and help them concentrate on their studies. The remaining $12 was used to buy food for family consumption since we did not have enough food in the house.
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?
Currently, I don't have a stable job, but I contribute to house construction by mixing cement and sand to make ends meet. My future looks bright because I am planning to build my own house, and later I will invest in chickens and sell them after they hatch. I already have twenty chickens and am confident that by the time I am done with house construction, they will have hatched. Right now, my main focus is constructing my own house. Living with six of us in one room is becoming so uncomfortable. I have purchased twenty iron sheets and believe I will soon be able to buy building sticks and stones to start building. This will fulfill my dream and give us confidence in society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As a father of four, upon receiving my transfers, I made it a priority to pay my first child's school fees. I spent $10 on my child's school fees, who is currently in seventh grade. However, our living situation is far from ideal, with all six of us confined to a single room. To provide my children with some much-needed privacy, I plan to build a house made of stone. With the transfers, I have been buying iron sheets, and now I have about twenty. I purchased two more using the recent transfer, and spent $20 on purchasing it. I allocated the remaining $4 to buy food for my family for the week and ensured we ate a good meal that brought joy to my family.
17th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As I said, my tiny one room house accommodates 6 members of my house. This house is too small for all of use, we have tried to make the space work but as my children grow and having my oldest being 13 years it is now time to separate the children and myself and wife. I am looking forward to building a two roomed house which will accommodate myself, my wife and my two youngest children. I am planning to continue purchasing iron sheets monthly to ensure I reach this goal.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a father of four, I live in a tiny one room house with my wife and four children. I work as a casual construction worker which means work for me is as seasonal as their is availability for work. I also do not make much from this jobs with some days making as little as $3. I have used my transfers to ensure the most urgent needs in the life of my family is sorted out. I used the cash to pay school fees, I paid $10 in August and September. I also got food for the family at $4 in August and July while in September I spent $8. I also bought Irons sheets which I am getting towards the goal of constructing a new house for my family at $20 in July and August and $10 in September.
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 primary objective is to build my own two-room house, transitioning from my current metal roof dwelling to a sturdy and enduring brick structure. This represents a significant step towards achieving long-term stability and security for myself and my family. With unwavering determination, I am working towards creating a permanent sanctuary that will fulfill our needs and provide a foundation for a brighter future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Embarking on the exciting endeavor of building my own house, I am actively acquiring the necessary materials to bring my vision to life. With ten metals sheets already procured, I eagerly await the arrival of the remaining ten to kickstart my project. In a fortunate turn of events, last month’s transfer allowed me to secure two metal roofs at a reasonable price of $20. This stroke of luck serves as a testament to my resourcefulness and determination to create a solid and reliable shelter for my family. With every step taken towards building our dream home, I am fueled by the deep desire to create a haven where my children can flourish and thrive. As a dedicated father, I am acutely aware of the importance of providing a comfortable space for my four children, even if the current house may be small in size. Balancing my priorities, I set aside $10 to support the educational needs of my three school-going children, reaffirming my commitment to their academic growth. Conscious of the importance of nutrition, I wisely used the remaining transfer of $4 to buy food for my whole family. By ensuring their well-being and satiating their hunger, I cultivate an environment of love and care within our home.
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?
My lovely wife and I decided to create our family's dream home after sitting down together and discussing our options. Every month when I get transfers, I make sure to buy metal sheets and so far, I have purchased about 10 sheets and constructing sticks for my upcoming house. I want it to be a three-room home with good ventilation and the privacy our children need. My children are growing up so quickly and I want them to be proud of their lovely and spacious house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I currently live in a single room house together with my four children. Life was really difficult before GiveDirectly came into the bigger picture as I could barely afford money to buy metal sheets and replace the old ones that were leaking when it rained. The moment I received my transfers from GiveDirectly, the first thing that came to my mind was to go buy two metal sheets and replace the old leaking sheets. I spent $20 to go purchase the sheet and at least I felt so happy about it. My children were at home so I decided to spend $4 to buy them food and make them happy. The remaining amount of $10 I went and paid my children's school fees so that they can remain in school and continue with their studies. I am grateful that I got the chance to be one of the people benefiting from the unconditional transfers I monthly receive from GiveDirectly.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the moment, we are living in an old house with a tattered roof. The leaks from the roof are usually unbearable during the rainy seasons since we have to shelter in a safe corner to avoid the rain drops. Improving the roof has been my dream but I have not been able to achieve it because of our low unreliable household income. Thank God, GiveDirectly came to our rescue. I have since then been using the transfers including the last three months' to purchase the required materials for renovating the roof. Shelter is the most basic need and improving the house will make a proud father.
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?
This organisation is doing an amazing job. I work as a Mason and the wages I get have never been enough to fit all my family needs but I made it work either way although it was challenging. But luckily I got introduced to GiveDirectly and financial help has helped me tremendously especially since I can keep my kids in school and even renovate my house which I doubt would have been possible without the funds.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I just recently received the transaction from GiveDirectly and I have not yet got the opportunity to withdraw the money but I definitely have plans for it. When I withdraw the money from my phone I would to buy iron sheets. This is because the roofing in my house was installed over a decade ago and I have not got a chance to renovate but the worst parts the iron sheets are old, worn out and rusty to the point where they have holes. Now the problem comes in during the rainy season because as much it rains outside, the flooding on the house is extreme due to the holes on the roof. My family and I end trying too move furniture all night so that we do not get drenched. That is why I will use KES 1,000 to purchase a pair if iron sheets. As I proceed I will also use KES 1,000 to pay for school fees for my four children since they have a pending balance of KES 6,000 in tuition fee. Lastly I will use the remaining KES 1,000 to cater for nutrition by purchase around six packets of maize flour and sugar.
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?
By the time the transfer message came in, I was already asleep and as it's always my norm to check my messages once I wake up, this was the first message that I encountered. I was so happy to start my new journey towards re-roofing my house as I rushed to the market to buy iron sheet.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I wouldn't say I have seen any difference for now buy I'm happy that I bought an iron sheet. I'm hoping to see a great difference as time goes by.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being rained on every rainy season has become unbearable for me and my family(wife and six children). The sound produced by the rotten iron sheets at night everytime the wind blows has also been giving us sleepless nights. My wish was re- roof my house and create a comfortable environment for my family but this has not been possible due to financial constraints. Being a mason in a rural set up surrounded by people of the same economic class has made it difficult for me to get a job. Most are times when I get one job a month and spend two months without. Given that majority of people build muddy houses, the income that I earn is very low averaging KES 3000 per month and this cannot meet my family needs. When I was enrolled in the program, my goal was to buy one iron sheets per month until I gather enough sheets to roof my house. I spend the all amount of KES 1200 to buy iron sheet and I'm looking forward to add more as the year progress.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I had to relocate my three children to their grandmother's house after the loose rusted iron sheets were lifted by strong winds in one of the night. Though I tied and supported them with some logs, the iron sheets still rattle at night making it difficult to sleep. It is even worse during rain season for the whole roof leaks. With 40 000 KES of my transfers, I will be able to bring my house back to shape. This will be realized through saving 2000 KES a month.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was woken up by a knock at the door. Surprisingly, it was my dad who had visited me early in the morning. Little did I know, he had brought me cash worth 5000 KES. My father had received 20 000KES as an accrued cash from the national elderly aid fund. I used the cash in buying a sack of maize. For a whole month now, my family has not ran without food. My children , wife and I are happy for that.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Working as a casual labour in house construction has been my job since I married over 15years ago earning a daily wage of 350 KES. With the increased cost of living, I have desired to start a kiosk as an alternative source of income without success for all the money received have been channelled towards food and school fees. My children often go without taking anything for their stomach. My house is in bad condition (the roof is almost falling) making our lives unsafe.