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?
My goal is to make sure that my kids have food, shelter, and clothes on a daily basis as long as I am still breathing.
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 got to be financially independent. This was never the in that I regularly called my husband who works away from home for support whenever we were without food in the house. He sent but not every day. I felt so bad to watch my kids go without food but thanks to GD's support that is no longer the case. With my transfers, I always strive to ensure there is food in the household.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I am hopeful that my tailoring business will have been popular in the village and being popular I am guaranteed more customers which will mean more revenue. With the revenue earned, I can take care of my children.
19th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, I have managed to buy some new clothes over the past four months for my children. I am glad that their self- esteem and dignity have improved when playing with their agemates. This is because they are never looked at as laughing stacks in the village like before when they wore old torn and shuttered clothes. To me changing their living standards is the greatest gift and difference I have gain through GiveDirectly's transfers in the last four months.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
We are currently living in a small grass-thatched house that is squeezed and cannot fit my family so well. We have been planning to construct a new iron-roofed house, therefore, it is our household joint goal to buy the required building materials on a monthly basis for the next four months in order to see this dream come to its actualization.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I mostly depend on my tailoring business as a source of income which does not do so well unless it is during the Christmas Holidays. These transfers have made my daily life in the last four months easier since I can provide for my family pressing needs. As a result, there has been a lot of peace and understanding between my husband and me because I no longer depend on him for provisions as I did before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I hope that we will have bought all the required materials with the transfers we have been saving over the last seven months and built a new decent house. This shall relieve me from the struggles I face on a daily basis like having a leaky and rotten grass thatch roof that makes our current house to be infested with insects.
15th 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?
These transfers have greatly changed my life in terms of general presentation and look. I have managed to buy some new clothes over the past few months which has given a rest to my one and only decent African dress which was known for all important occasions. I am also able to visit the salon at least once a month for a new hairdo which was not possible before. My low income made it impossible for me to spend on such personal items as clothes shoes and hair, but now, it's all possible, thanks to GD transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
We are currently living in a small grass-thatched house which cannot comfortably house my family. My husband and I have been planning to construct a new iron-roofed house which is why I plan to use my next transfers to buy some of the required building materials.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I mostly depend on my tailoring job which does not do so well in this area because it is deep in the village where most people don't make new clothes unless it is during the Christmas Holidays. These transfers have made my daily life quite easier as I can always provide for my family even on the days that I don't make even a cent from my business. There has been a lot of peace and understanding between my husband and me because I no longer depend on him for provisions as I did before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
Over the past few months, we have managed to buy a few building materials which we plan to use in building a new house so that we can move out of the current grass-thatched one that we are currently living in. In the next six months, I hope that we will have bought all the required materials and built the new house which I know will be spacious and much more decent.
12th 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?
I could say my life is different from how it was previously. This is because I have more materials and this allows me to serve more customers. By doing so, I have been able to increase my income which allows me to expand my business as well as meet the needs of my family.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Currently, I am planning to expand my tailoring business by bringing more stock of different designs. This will enable me to serve more customers with different preferences.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference is that I can now restock material for my tailoring business, this allows a smooth flow of business and an increased turnover. Initially, I could not restock because most of the resources I got were consumed by the household expenses.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months with the income from the tailoring business, I am planning to build a better and bigger house for my family. So far I have been able to buy a few materials towards the project. I am doing so to improve our living standards. Currently, we live in not so comfortable house. It leaks when it rains and it is a little bit small for my family of six.
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'm able to easily meet my family needs without any challenges.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
For the next four months, I have a goal of saving some money so that in future I'll use it to construct a house because I have a small house that can't fit my family and I store most of my households in my mother-in-law's house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference n my daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer is that I have easy time meeting my family needs and i can afford a balanced diet without struggling or borrowing from someone.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have expanded my business so that I can get an improved income.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 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 construct a new house since my current house has a leaking roof. Secondly, I want to purchase new furniture and then finally be able to pay school fees for my children.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it used to be initially because I no longer have to rely on my husband for financial assistance.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months because I will have my new house, my children will be able to go to school without having to be sent home because I have not paid the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest in my daily life is that I am now able to buy enough maize flour for my family that keeps the family going. I initially used to struggle so much to get enough flour for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I've faced in life is the careless lifestyle my husband is leading, leaving me with all family responsibility. I have to ensure that my children are fed, medicated and educated but with meager earnings from the small business I run.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when out at my place of business chatting with friends while attending to customers. I also get to learn new ideas as events unfold.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on building a new house being that the one I currently live in is in a bad state, I hope to gain harmony and respect from friends who've been mocking my house.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I'm proudest of is joining community self-help groups which encourage savings and investment, from this commitment I started a small business and farming.