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?
Part of my plan right now is to make sure that I get a new house for the family. My wife passed on some time ago and I remarried a new spouse, but the traditions dictate that I cannot live with my new spouse in the same house I used to live in with my previous house. I was then forced to let my new wife sleep in the kitchen room as I struggle to get resources in order to construct a new house. I want to make sure that I gather enough resources in the forthcoming months so that I can build her a new house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The main difference I have seen in my daily life is that I have been able to take care of the family's daily financial needs which includes paying debts to my creditors. Before I started getting the transfers, I was never a free man in the village because I feared meeting some of my creditors who thought I had refused to pay them back their money. However, when I started getting the money, I made sure I cleared all my debts and became a free man in society.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I know that my life will change because I will have constructed a new house for my family so we will no longer have to squeeze in this small structure which can barely accommodate us. My kids will also have a spacious room of their own. Currently, my kids are forced to sleep in my mothers' house reason being that the house we have cannot accommodate us.
14th 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?
The biggest difference in my life in the last four since Give Directly came into my life is that I have been able to get improved production from my farm compared to the previous seasons. This is because I was able to use the required farm inputs and equipment through the transfers I got from Give Directly. I really thank them because my life has improved and I can sustain my self through farming even after they have finished their projects in this village
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I just remarried recently after my spouse passed on a few years ago. I love her and would wish to formalize the marriage its only that I didn't have the resources to make that happen. She had at some point felt I wasn't serious with the relationship. In the next four months, I have the plans of saving the transfers that I'll be receiving and add to my savings that I already have then use it to pay for her dowry.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I'm a farmer and I used to face challenges in raising money to purchase the required farming inputs such as fertilizers and other equipment. I could at times not afford to hire labor. This forced me to use whatever was available but this resulted in both low-quality and quantity production. I'm happy this is not the case anymore because through the transfers I get from GiveDirectly, I was able to meet all these requirements. My farm production has increased because I had the necessary inputs.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
For the next six months, I expect to have raised enough money to pay for my wife's dowry. I have always wished to take her officially and when I found the opportunity to do that, I didn't hesitate. I thank GiveDirectly for helping me do this. I will forever remember them because was it not for them probably my wife would have left.
11th 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 is currently different from the way it was four months in that I haven't been facing a lot of financial challenges as compared to the previous months before I started receiving money from GiveDirectly. In addition to that, I have been able to get a good harvest from my farm because the transfers have enabled me to buy the needed farm inputs on time.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have a cow and I consider it an investment because after it has given birth I'll able to get an extra cow. So for the next four months of my life, I'm planning to save some money and use it to purchase a cow.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Previously, I used to face a lot of financial challenges that forced me to borrow money from friends in order to meet most of the family needs. This is not the case anymore and I'm happy I do not anyone because I have been using the money I have been receiving to meet most the needs. I feel proud and at peace, because currently, I do not owe anyone money.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My farm has picked up so well and I have been able to earn a good income from it thus I can save some money out of it. So in the next six months, I expect to have saved some money which I can use in cases of emergency.
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?
My life is currently different from how it was four months in that I am in a position of helping people because right now, I can use the money that I get from selling the farm produce but use the monthly pay to take care of the extra budget which includes giving a helping hand to my friends and close relatives.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to save for my childrens education.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Taking care of my daily needs was not easy because farming is what I have been depending on which could not sustain all my needs. I had to struggle working on the farm most of the time and worst of all purchasing farm inputs so as to increase my yields sometimes could be a nightmare and this forced me to buy the inputs in a specific agrovate so that, whenever I had no money, he can lend me the inputs and repay later. This has changed and I can see a big difference because I am able to buy the farm inputs easily without lending and other daily needs are also catered for in time because the profits that I get from the farm can be channelled elsewhere.
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 saved some amount of money which I will be able to use in handling emergencies which might arise.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
4560 KES ($45 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that at least I have something to depend on. I do not solely depend on my horticulture to mature and sell to enable my family eat.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months,I expect my harvest to be more. I shall have bought a water pump for irrigation and this means that my savings shall have increased.
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 had I never received the transfer in that I have somewhere to depend on. I can take care of my emergencies. I am now stress free. I do not think so much where to get money as I wait for my crops to mature for the markets.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I have three goals,one is to ensure my son joins secondary school. I also want to expand horticultural farming to increase my income and also increase my savings.
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 my life is how to take care of my children. As a widower I have to play both the roles of a father and mother.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when offering counseling services to my friends.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I plan to spend my transfer on buying cement and sand for improving the condition of my house.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is that I own a home.