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 am planning to purchase a sofa set to make my visitors more comfortable. This is geared towards replacing the plastic chairs that I am currently using.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
When I received my transfers, I decided to build a house. For the longest time, I have been staying with parents and I felt like time had come for me to man up and take responsibility for my life. So I did build a house and connected electricity. This is a dream come true for me.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will have bought several electronics like a TV set and a radio. Besides, I will have bought a sofa set too. I am doing this to make my home more hospitable.
20th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My additional goal for the next four months is to continue constructing my permanent house. I have done most of the work I am only left with fixing the ceiling board and fisher board. Once this is done I will be very proud of myself. I am also planning to purchase some furniture for my new house and lease a piece of land to plant some onions since my share of land at home is small
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 last four months is that I finally managed to build myself a house. I used to live in my parents house and since I married, I thought it is a wise decision to become independent and I feel good because I no longer depend on my parents since I now have my home. I have been able to sustain my family needs. We have never lacked food or any other basic needs since then.
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 harvested my onions. I will have gotten enough money from the sale of onions. This will help me start a business hence will no longer strain to provide for my family. My home will be more appealing because I will have done more finishes and bought furniture. I will also stop shying away from inviting visitors because It will be a more decent and comfortable place to relax in after a heavy day's work
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?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago in that,I own a heifer which I did not have before. It has given me hope that I will cut the cost of buying milk which is very expensive in the near future when it shall have matured and ready to be milked.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goals for the next four months is to cement the floor of my new house because is still earthen. I anticipate the presence of dust which might predispose my family members to respiratory attacks mainly in the dry season that I want to mitigate. I'm also intending to purchase sofa set seats.
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 last four months preceding the current transfer is that I have purchased building materials which include iron sheets and other building materials for the construction of a new house with the saving I got from my merry go round group that commenced upon the coming of GiveDirectly. Before, I used to live in a small house which cannot host my family comfortably. I felt embarrassed when we had visitors because they could not get enough space to stay and sometimes they could borrow for them places to be hosted in mostly at my neighbors'. Currently, my house is spacious enough hence I am not afraid to invite my friends and relatives over.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to empower my spouse to buy starting a business for her in the next six months. This business will be generating an income and she will also feel involved in catering for our family's needs unlike now that she is a housewife and doesn't know the goodness of having her own money.
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?
Using the money that I receive from Givedirectly, I have an extra farm on which I have managed to farm. Unlike before receiving the transfers, I was able to buy seeds and fertilizer. All my farms are now under tillage. I also have extra money that I can use to buy personal effects. I have bought clothes and food. Currently, also afford to save some money to use for emergencies as pocket money.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My additional goal is to start saving money for the newborn we are expecting. I know that I will need to spend some money during delivery and the early days afterward. I am so excited and have nothing to worry about because I will be ready to cater for my baby's needs.
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 starting a home. I am now duly married according to our culture. I used some of the transfers to facilitate the process of negotiations, agreements and cementing relations between my family and that of my wife. I am now a complete young man as I have a family. The money I get from the transfers eased the process. This is the best thing that I have ever attained in my life.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have moved out of my fathers home and started my own. I will have to build another room that will be using as our kitchen with the money form the Givedirectly transfers.
6th 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 because these transfers were a source of pocket money in my college and a source of capital for farming of cabbages.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to built my own house using merry go round money come October.
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 these transfers have enabled me to plant cabbages and buy better clothes and shoes.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have started my own family, bought my own dairy cow and become independent.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
455 KES ($4 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is struggling to pay my school fees.I was often sent home due to lack of school fees.This really affected my studies in secondary education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of the day is during the night because I feel relaxed after a long day's work.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on poultry farming.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of in my life is being a farmer.This has hepled me pay school fees for my secondary and college education.