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 currently do not have any new goals as an individual but I want to focus on my livestock and farming to ensure I get the best out of them.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
My biggest difference in the couple of months that have passed is awesomely breathtaking. I did manage to increase the number of my livestock and also improved my farming by use of modern farming tools that make work more efficient as well as the use of hybrid seed and fertilizer. I am almost sure that I will have a bumper harvest which will translate to increased revenue after I have sold the produce.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I am looking at an old wealthy man having invested heavily in my farming. This will be the best harvest season ever. Moving forward, I am seeing the living standards of my family improving for the better.
18th 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?
There is a difference that I have noticed for the last four months because most of the money we have been getting was used for the construction and repairs of the house which looked a bit old and dilapidated. Ever since we made the repairs and renovations, the house looks quite neat and presentable.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal currently is to ensure that we invest in a shop business which will then generate more cash for the family in the future. The advantage we will have by then is that we will have an additional source of income which will supplement the little that we will still be earning from the organization.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have been using the money to buy a lot of domestic animals which I have always wanted to purchase for a long period but due to lack of finances, it remained a long shot.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will change because once we launch the shop business then the flow of income we will be much better and as a result of that, it will not be hard to meet our daily expenses within the household.
16th 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?
At the beginning of this year, my family members who receive GD transfers came to an agreement to be sharing the household responsibilities by contributing part of the transfers each month for household needs. This agreement has taken a lot of burden off our shoulders as the parents as we have been able to take care of the basic household needs with much more ease than before. I have had a break from heavy duties such as farm work because we can now afford to hire labourers to work on our farm which is much appreciated act for my old heart.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My wife and I have plans of starting a grocery business to supplement the current one she has. She makes a living out of making reed mats which nowadays don't sell well as they have been out fashioned with time. She puts a lot of effort into making the mats but earns very little income out of it. The grocery business will be a good way to make more money which might eventually relieve her from mat making.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I am old therefore unable to work for my own income which makes it hard for me to cater for my personal and family needs. I usually depend on my wife who earns little money from mat making to provide for me which is quite a hefty burden on her side. The past four months were very tough because it was a time when there was drought and famine witnessed across the country which saw most food items and staple food such as maize double in prices. As much as it was tough on most families to cater for their daily needs,I had it a bit easy because the transfers always enabled us to buy the most required items in the family. It was much easier as there are five of us receiving the transfers in my family so we could easily contribute and buy whatever we needed.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
With my wife's business that we are planning to start, I hope that she will have a better income in the coming months so that we can be able to take care of our household needs without having to mostly depend on our children as we do now.
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 my wife and I have bought some additional sheep and goats. Fortunately, some of them have given birth and we currently have three lambs and two kids. Undoubtedly, my wealth has increased and this is a positive change in my life.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Since I have adequate food for my household, my goal in the next four months is to prioritize paying school fees for my children promptly. This will enable them to concentrate on their academics thus their performance will greatly improve. As their parents, we will feel proud of them when they register good improvement in their performance.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
In the last four months preceding the current transfers, I was able to get plenty of harvests and my family can now feed well with less struggle. This was as a result of using right farm inputs which I acquired with the transfers I received from GiveDirectly. Although during short rainy seasons I rarely harvest even a bag of maize, I thank God that the transfers from GiveDirectly helped me to acquire drought-resistant seeds which did pretty well during the last season.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to buy a cow with the money I will get from selling part of the farm produce I shall have obtained in the next season. I have only been owning four bulls, however, I believe having a cow will be more beneficial to my household. I will be able to obtain milk from it hence there will be no need to spend any money on buying milk for my household. The cow I expect to buy will be in remembrance of the charitable works of GiveDirectly to my household.
5th 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 different because I get money and sort my financial problems with utmost ease as compared with how I used to strain in the past.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goals includes starting a small business that will be able to sustain the family going into the future.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I am now able to have financial plans without fear of the unknown into the future. I am also able to pay school fees for my child without so much struggles.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
The next six months will be change because all that I wish for will most definitely come to pass, and definitely and that will constitute a change into my life.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 7 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal that I did not have before receiving the transfer is to purchasing a ploughing machine which will make work easier in the farm.
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, right now I have hope that I will still continue educating my daughter who is currently in high school.
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 paid school fees with ease for my daughter in high school.
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 the payment from GiveDirectly is that, I managed to purchase a goat hence I feel this is a step in life.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is how to get school fees for the children and my grandchildren since my sons do not work. This forces me to sell my goats to get school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is when I am in my home I see my children and my family. And when I receive guests anytime of the day.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
When I receive this transfer, I am planning to take my grandchild to school and buy a plough then I can also improve my house.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is that I now have my home and I am managing my family without depending on my parents.