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?
Four months ago, paying school fees was a major hustle. I used to struggle with my children school fees from the sale of the farm produces as well as earning from casual labor which was never enough. Thanks to the consistent support from GD, I have managed to settle my children's school fees on time. This makes a proud parent.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I am hoping to purchase a water pump that will facilitate my farming activities. I am a vegetable farmer and this would really make the farming more efficient even in dry seasons.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference is that before the transfers, I used to purchase kerosene to light up my tin lamp at night. This was costly given that the prices of Kerosene and fuel have generally increased in the country. So when I received my transfer, I did not hesitate to purchase a solar panel. As much as I bought it on a hire purchase basis, it is much affordable and lights up better than the tin lamp. My children can now study efficiently with no soot to worry about.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I will have bought a water pump and my farming will have been improved in that even during the drought season I will be able to proceed on with my farming with no worries of lack of water given that I will be able to pump water into my farm. This will translate to consistency in production hence flow of income from the sale of the vegetables. Apart from that, I will have satisfied customers and this will increase my referrals.
15th 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?
My life has really taken a sharp corner in the direction of success. Initially, I could struggle with paying school fees for my children. There are days they could stay back at home because of inadequate resources. But ever since GD's transfers started coming, It has been a bit easier and less stressful.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to save and purchase a water pump to help me with my crops on the farm. This will also enhance their production.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life in the past four months preceding the current transfer is that I am currently capable of paying my children school with ease unlike before it was a struggle to work and earn enough to pay school fees and as well meet the household needs. GD has given me a financial breather.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My plan is that come the next six months, I will have purchased a water pump to help me with my farming and even work towards seieng my production becoming better. This will ensure ease and availability of water for the crops.
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?
The last four months have been a blessing to me because my groundnuts harvest were so good last season. I have since been surviving on the sale of groundnuts, and so far I can say that the business had been doing quite well because it has been keeping my family afloat.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have the desire to buy a water pump which will help me in pumping water from the river to my farm where I have planted a lot of vegetables. Once the vegetables are ready, I sell them within the local markets where I get some little cash to keep my family going.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference for me today is that I have reduced the frequency of engaging in the heavy duty casual jobs which I no longer struggle with so much because I always have the confidence that GD will definitely send me some cash at the end of the month. I have been surviving on the sale of charcoal but I am not happy with the process and energy that it takes to prepare them because it negatively affects my health.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I will buy a water pump and expand the portion of the farm where I will be planting the vegetables and the main reason for doing this is to enable me get more harvest than what I have been getting so far. I want to turn into a large scale farmer and be the main supplier in this locality.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I am now able to provide enough food for my family, that can last them for more than four months, which is a very vital aspect of survival.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I want to get into more farming by clearing my land that is near the river, I believe that the land is more fertile and its proximity to the river makes it a very productive land.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have been using the cash to cultivate my land and buying modern seedlings and fertilizers that eventually translates to more harvest and more food for the family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I want to continue with my agricultural activities and cultivating more land in order to generate more food for the family. The surplus proceeds from the farm I will sell out in exchange for cash which will then be used to sort other household financial needs.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have a helping hand and that gives me a lot of hope in life because my children are now eating well.I have less stress because I can pay school fees for my children with a lot ease.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have expanded my vegetable and tomatoes business that will enable me get sustainable income hence I can support my family financially.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different because I am not stressed up like before because I have monthly income that enables me pay school fees for my children on time.We are also eating well because I am able to buy food for my family.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I do not have any new goal because I have not achieved my previous goal of buying water pump.
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 life is lack of reliable income to provide for my family. Sometimes we are forced go on empty stomach.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when we share a meal together and inspire my children to work hard and do better in academics.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend the transfer in buying money maker water pump. This will enable me irrigate my farm and supply vegetables in all seasons hence boost my income.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement in life is paying fees for my children. Education is the key to better life. I hope this will liberate my family from the bondage of poverty.