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?
Currently, I own a bigger tea farm compared to before. I spent the transfer on renting more pieces of farms for growing tea since this is one of the best economic activity that does very well in our region.
I also feel that I am more productive mentally since I do not have stress coming as a result of financial constraints.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to procure materials that I will use in buiding poultry house since I am planning to raise them. This is because it is one project that is manageable and can give tremendous prodcuts that will benefit the family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest dfference that I now have is the fact that when the transfers began streaming in every month, I felt I got a supporting hand financially. I am a tea grower and therefore I have been able to plant more and grow more tea which I have done without difficulty.
I attest that I have also begun living a healthy life since the finances are enough for me to buy the type of food that my family desires.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have built a house for my poultry and that I will have already started stocking them. I also hope to be earning some income from this project that I really like doing.
16th 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?
Notably, my current life is the opposite of how I was four months ago. When transfers started rolling in on a monthly basis, my mind became more organized since I had reduced more stress and planned on my life ahead. Now I own a cow which I did have before. It will not take long before it calves, providing milk for my family use and also for sale hence earning more income.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In four month's time, I am planning to begin poultry keeping. Since my wife always stays at home, this will be a perfect work she will be looking after as I get out. The work will be rolling when I receive next month's transfers since I will channel this towards purchasing materials for building poultry house before actually buying chicken. So very soon, I will supplement my income from the sale of eggs and chicken. It is also from this project that my family will get eggs for consumption hence improving their health.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Ideally, I have noted a number of positive changes that have happened to me and my family as a whole. The things that I wished for and had remained in dreams for a long time has started unfolding. The biggest of these is buying a motorcycle. Out of the savings I usually make from the job I do, GiveDirectly gave me encouragement by supplementing my meager income until now when I can boast of owning a motorcycle. With this, my daily income is assured and therefore I won't have worries about how I will provide for my family even long after transfers comes to an end.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I just bought a motorcycle which will run in business very soon. So what this means for me is that I will be earning income on a daily basis to help me provide for my family. Poultry project is kicking off in the near future and in six month's time, I will be also earning from it. I thank GiveDirectly for being there to save our lives and that of our families from stress and difficulty in life.
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 in that I'm able to pay for my siblings' school fees. My family solely depends on me since my parents are too old to work now. They had dropped out of school because of lack of school fees.I can now afford to pay for them without any issues because of this transfer.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goals in the next four months are to ensure I plant more fodder for my cows which I recently bought on a loan. This means they will yield more milk enough to sell so that I get more money to pay off the loan and to cater for my family needs as well.
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 has been really good because I've been able to pluck more kilograms in my tea farm because of more effort on input. I'm also able to provide more for my family members better than before. Earlier we never used to have 3 meals in a day but now we can afford even more.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months when the cow I bought gives birth. This means that I can sell the milk to give me more money to support my family and my siblings and to also cater to the basic needs for everyone.
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 currently is different since the dependency level from my sisters and parents have reduced.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The new goal I now have is to take a loan and buy a motorbike.
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 no longer strain too much in getting basic needs for my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in that I will have bought a motorbike.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 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 is to own my own livestock. At the moment I depend on my mother's livestock to feed my family. Once I have my own, I will be able to get milk for consumption and for sale. There is a high demand for milk in cafeterias in the nearby center and those buying milk in bulk; I plan to be supplying them and earn money for my family.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different. Our tea farm is currently well attended to since we afforded the much needed fertilizer that will boost the yield. We have assurance that we will have a good harvest this time. Our economic status will really improve and we are happy about this. Earlier, we could not afford the fertilizer since it is quite expensive; as a result, we would have little yield that would give us little earnings. Things have now changed and we are optimistic.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to be so different in the next six months. I will have executed the plans that I have. I expect to be having an additional consistent source of income from the livestock that I plan to purchase. I will have a well-fed family, less stress and no worries was my job to end. This transfer is like an umbrella against the 'rain' of lack. We feel totally covered and protected.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
This was my first transfer. The biggest difference in my daily life is that it feels like I have a monthly salary. I am happy about it. I am at peace with a sense of freedom to make future plans because of the assurance of a monthly income. So I am happy, peaceful and assured that my plans will eventually come to pass because of the payments that will come.
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 when my family couldn't raise daily meal due to large number of family members hence I was forced to stuggle extra hard to get my daily basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when am relaxed sleeping so that I get to my job in the evening.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer to build a new house and buy a cow.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement am proudest of is my driving job which earned me a salary of fifteen thousand per month.I used my salary to plant tea in my family piece of land where I currently earn my leaving.