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?
The greatest difference I have witnessed so far in my life over the past four months is the growth of my business. I have been boosting the business each month with these transfers by buying more stock and new products in order to increase my profits. The business has been doing so well and I do not feel worried about the stop of the transfers as I will still have somewhere to tap from thereafter.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Now that I am aware that the project is soon coming to an end, I will spare some of my transfers to and buy a goat that will be a souvenir and will be with me for many years to come after the project.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Due to my old age, I am no longer able to farm as much I did before which has forced me to buy cereals especially maize which is our staple food. Life was a bit tough sometime back because the commodity had risen in price and I could not afford to buy it in bulk and would only buy in bits. When the prices came down I spent the transfers on a good amount that I know would last me several months and since then, I have never been stressed and I get to eat well.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I have lots of needs such as household and personal ones which I struggle to meet whenever I receive my transfers. Right now, I have a new goal of buying at least two goats before the end of the transfers which I hope I will achieve. This will be a big change in my life because I do not have any livestock at the moment.
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?
Currently, my life is different from how it was in that I do not have stress over how I would cater for some of my expenses because I have my monthly payment which boosts the little profit I get from my business. I started this business four months ago using money which I been receiving from GiveDirectly. So far it is generating money which was not there before. This has changed my life because I have been able to settle and made progress. For a long time, I have not been looking for casual jobs because I have a stable business. I feel at peace because I can be able to take care of my needs easily unlike before.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goals is to start poultry farming and animal rearing. In case I have visitors, I will nor incur the cost of buying sacks of maize or meat. Instead, I will take a few hens or even eggs from my farm and use the money to take care of the various needs. Poultry farming has a good market and I believe within a short period of time I will be able to buy a dairy cow using the proceeds from the poultry farm. Through selling milk I will be able to comfortably take care of my needs and this is why I want to concentrate and ensure these projects are accomplished in the next four months.
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 was able to start a business. I have been depending on farming and casual jobs which is usually not reliable. The weather patterns have changed hence depending on farming is difficult that is why with my old age I could be forced to still do casuals jobs in order to put food on the table. I feel at peace running my business and the fact that I am able to buy whatever I need without asking money from anyone make me a happy person. Taking care of my emergencies easily is the best feeling ever and I thank Give Directly for empowering me to do that.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect my life to change in that I will have started rearing animals and do poultry farming at the same time. This projects will be beneficial to me because they are both in high demand and they can all survive in this village without any special care. I will feel secure because whenever I will have an urgent need for money, I will sell some to take care of the emergencies that will arise.
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 than it was fours months ago because I am able to feed well. I no longer get worried because I am always certain to receive my transfers every month which I mainly use to buy foodstuffs. As a result, I have become stronger and rarely do I fall sick. Before I was always going to bed hungry and this could always stress me up leading to deterioration in my health condition.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The additional goal for my life in the next four months is to buy some bags of cement and a tonne of sand which I will use to renovate my house. Its earthed floor is currently in a bad condition. I believe that once I cement it, it will look better and nice. I will no longer have to spray water on my house's floor to reduce dust hence it will be more habitable.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
For the last four months preceding my current transfer, the biggest difference in my life is starting up and running a fishmongering business. From this business, I have been able to earn some extra income which I have been using to buy food as well as other basic needs for my household members. I always have cash thus I do not get stressed up, unlike before when buying even a quarter sugar was a big struggle to me.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect my life to change for better in that I will be able to get a good harvest from my farm. I am planning to use the transfers that I will receive next month to buy fertilizers and drought-resistant seeds which I will plant in the next long rainy season. I will also use the subsequent transfers to expand my business, from which I will get more income to support my family.
8th 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 how it was four months go because l am eating well because l harvested produce.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planing to boost my business of selling domestic goods that l have been doing to get more profit.
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, l no longer use my own hand to work on my farm any more, since l am spending the money l getting from GD to hire people to work on my farm, l am also eating comfortably because l got enough harvest in last harvesting season where l use give directly's transfer to cultivate.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months l expect to have boost my business and getting a good profit for my use.
2nd 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 repair the almost collapsing walls of my house by plastering and making them durable.I could never have dreamed about this before since I lived a hopeless life.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently differently in that I am a happier person and I feel very light. Life is looking up too.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my my life to change in that I will also buy small livestock and grow my small business.I will be feeding well too.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I used to struggle to prepare only 0.5 acre piece of land which took very many days since I used a jembe, which was made worse by my advanced age.However,this time round GD's financial support enabled me to hire an ox- plough and prepared 1 acre piece of land within one short day. I have already planted maize and millet, and expect to get a good yield if the rains favour us.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship was dealing with constant medication, since it requires much capital and i have no stable income
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening while spending time with my family
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
Am planning to buy bulls and ox-plough to improve my farming to enable me earn extra income
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My biggest achievement was last year when i had bumper harvest which i used part of it to pay school fees for my grandson in college