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 different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year and beyond, my main goal is to invest in goat farming and to complete the construction of my mother's house. It is unfortunate that she was left without shelter after collapsing of her house due to heavy rains. I intend to allocate part of my savings group transfers to help her purchase materials and ensure that the building work is completed. Once we have finished this project, my plan is to focus on acquiring goats. I believe that this project is manageable and profitable since goats multiply quickly. Additionally, it will serve as a financial security measure for my future, providing support in case of any monetary challenges I may face.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My mother's house was made of mud and it got weakened over time hence it collapsed during heavy rains, leaving her homeless. As a result, I have been helping her buy building materials to construct a new, sturdier house. In the meantime, she is staying with my grandmother. With my recent transfer, I allocated $30 to savings, intending to use it later to support my mother in purchasing building materials as we had agreed. After we complete the house project, I will start using my savings to buy goats as a form of future financial security. Additionally, I spent $42 on personal items like soap and body oil. Finally, I sent the remaining $30 to my mother to help her buy food for our family.
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
This year, my aim is to increase my goat herd, as they show promising potential in my village. I plan to achieve this goal by diligently saving from my upcoming transfers, accumulating a substantial number of goats that I can later sell for profit. I am sincerely thankful for the financial assistance I've received, as it has enabled me to support my family. With ongoing support from these transfers, I am hopeful that I will be able to fulfill my aspirations.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I work as a nanny to support my young daughter. Life used to be challenging before, often leaving me hungry because I lacked consistent income. I had to abandon my education due to my parent's inability to afford school fees. I am grateful for this program, as it provides transfers to everyone and has enabled our community to progress. With the assistance of these transfers, I have been able to rebuild our house and also buy food for my family. Out of the funds received, I allocated $30 to savings, to be used in case of a pressing need. I then used $30 to purchase personal items that I needed. The remaining and spent $42 was used to buy food for my family as we had run out. Participating in this program brings me immense happiness as it has brought about significant positive changes in my life.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My greatest aspiration is to become a landowner. I envision building a comfortable home on this land and residing there with my children. Through diligent saving from my subsequent transfers and earnings, I aim to accumulate enough funds to purchase land in the future. I am deeply gratified for the financial assistance I have received thus far, as it has empowered me to provide for my family. I am optimistic that, with continued support from the transfers, I will be able to realize my aspirations.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am employed as a housekeeper to support my two-year-old child and my parents. Recently, I was offered the opportunity to undergo housekeeping training in Nairobi, and I am eagerly awaiting the chance to work abroad. During the training, I used $8 for personal expenses. Additionally, I saved $30 through a local savings group established by my family and close relatives. My plan is to utilize the savings to purchase two goats by the end of the year, with the remaining funds allocated for new clothes and quality food during the holiday season. A significant portion of the money ($64) was spent on necessities such as food and clothing for my young child and my parents. I am immensely grateful for the financial support received through these transfers, as it has significantly bolstered my ability to care for my family and supplement my income from my housekeeping job, enabling me to meet their needs more effectively.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Given my current situation as a young person with a two-year-old toddler and a house help job in town, I am determined to build a strong financial foundation for my family's future. One of my main goals is to progress and increase my wealth. As part of this plan, I have already taken a step towards rearing goats. At the moment, I own three goats, and I understand their potential to multiply and grow my resources significantly. By allowing the goats to reproduce, I am confident that my wealth will steadily increase over time. This growth in resources will not only support my own needs but also enable me to provide for my younger siblings and my toddler.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am very intentional with how I use the cash transfers to support various needs in my life and my family's. Out of the recent transfer, I set aside $10 to save in a group, which I joined in January of this year. I plan to withdraw these savings at the end of the year to buy goats, as they can be a great source of income in the future. Additionally, I want to help my mother build a new house as her current one leaks water whenever it rains. Seeing her happy in a new and better home is something that inspires me. Another $10 from the transfer was used to buy food, which I do every month to support my father. He makes a living by selling water on carts, and I contribute to ensuring there is enough food for the family. I also spent $10 on buying clothes. Recently, I moved to town for a house help job, and I needed more work clothes to perform my duties effectively. At the same time, my brother reached out to me for help, and I sent him $4 to assist him in his time of need. Apart from supporting my family, I also care for my toddler who is two years old. The cash transfers have been a significant blessing in my life, allowing me to contribute to the welfare of my family and address various needs.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I joined a saving scheme with the mindset of savings my monthly transfer till December. Consequently, I developed a goal to spend my savings on initiating poultry and livestock farming. I have chosen to invest in this since it is the only thing I can do, and it will give me a way to raise money for my daughter's school expenses. Despite the fact that I am a single mother, I would like to give her good support. By the time she will be ready to be enrolled in school, I shall have ways of raising school fees for her. I hope that will help in reducing my burden.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My daughter is only one year and four months old. She only had under-sized, worn-out clothing, so I spent $5 to get her some new clothes. She consequently appears rather lovely in her new attire. We are a large family with ten members, so I prioritized giving $19 to buy food for the family because we did not have any. I took this action because my parents have been carrying the entire financial burden, which is unfair to them given that they both have casual jobs to support our family. So, I decided to save $10, which I will use to start a few profitable investments.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I graduated from high school in 2019, which is so long ago. Later, I applied to a tailoring college, but I was unable to continue because I had not paid the tuition. I've tried to find a job, but I've been unsuccessful, so I currently rely on my father for financial support. Given that I have five siblings who are in school and totally rely on him for financial support, the burden on him is enormous. My main objective for this year is to buy some livestock. By the end of the year, the small herd of goats will have multiplied into a sizable flock. My wealth will significantly increase as a result, and I will subsequently achieve financial stability.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am grateful that the cash transfers allow me to support my family and take some of the burdens off my father. As the breadwinner, he makes a living by hawking water on carts in Mombasa. Sometimes I feel like he goes through too much suffering just to put food on the table for the eight of us back in the village (my mother, five siblings, my daughter, and me). Although I operate a home-based business selling dried sardines, the profits are insufficient to fulfill the household's daily necessities. So, when I got the money, I spent $10 on maize flour to supplement the little that was left in stock; at least, there is enough to last a week. I also set aside $5 for purchasing water at home because my family uses at least three 20-liter jerricans of water every day, which must be planned for. In addition, I saved $10 through a self-help group. When the club is dissolved early next year, I hope to receive a $100 lump amount to assist me to purchase two goats and three chickens for raising. I also want to utilize part of the funds to help my mum with her house-building project. Finally, I used the remaining funds to purchase a dress for my one-year-old daughter.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly does an excellent job of providing funds to needy communities. Because of these transfers, a family like mine can afford to eat regularly. Our food consumption rate has increased dramatically, from once to thrice a day. I cannot find any weak points with the Give Directly cash program.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My father is our family's breadwinner. He makes a living by selling water on the streets of Mombasa. Since his income is inconsistent and very low, he can only provide one meal per day, leaving our family of twelve hungry for the majority of the day. That is why, from the transfer, I contributed KES 1,600 to the purchase of food. Since then, we have been taking all three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). I saved the rest of the money through a self-help group. By January of next year, I hope to have saved up around KES 10,000 to buy two goats for rearing.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
After arriving home from fetching water, I heard my phone ringing in my house. I picked it up and, upon checking; I realized I had received my first transfer. As tears of joy flowed down my cheeks, I broke down and cried. I was thrilled and I still could not believe that I had received the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer has made an enormous difference in my life because I used it to seek medical help. My father, whom I depend on, struggled to provide for the family. Receiving the money was a boost for me and helped my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 400 of my transfer to seek medical attention. I gave birth to my daughter two months ago and since then my health has deteriorated. Visiting the hospital often has drained me financially and I have no money left. In my condition, I cannot work because of the serious abdominal pains I have. I currently depend fully on my father, who is a casual laborer vending water in the village. Besides seeking medical attention, I bought food worth KES 800 to add to the little food stock I had. Buying the food helped ease the burden on my father in taking care of my daughter and I.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means food security for my family. My husband whom is expected to be the breadwinner is still in school and unable to earn any cash that can meet our family's needs such as food and cclothing. Sometimes we are forced to go without food for a whole due to the high cost of food products currently experienced in my country. I will use the entire GiveDirectly transfer to buy food for my family. With food available, I believe we will regain our health as a family and live a happy life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
New year celebrations were superb and I really enjoyed meeting new members of our extended family. This moment borough joy and happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Drought experienced in my area is beyond measure. Sometimes I am forced to walk for long distances to fetch water for domestic consumption. Sometimes I am tired but left with no option because I can not afford buying water from the motorcycle guys given that they sell one 20Litre jerrican at KES 100.