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?
The biggest difference in my life is that I have my own house now. Before the transfers, I did not have a house at home and I could rarely go visiting at home because I knew going home, I would have to search for a place to sleep. With GD transfers, I was able to buy building materials which I have used in building my own house. Right now, I do go home to visit my family at home and I don't have to make prior calls seeking for a place to sleep becvause I have my own house. Anytime I go home, I feel so proud of the step I have made in life.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I plan to use my coming transfers for savings. My ideal goal is to start an electrical shop business. I am an electrician by profession and it will be my pleasure to exercise my knowledge in the right way. I will use the savings to rent a business premise and buy stock for the business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on paying school fees for my child to help clear last year's arrears. She had been been given a warning on the same and I did not want to wait until she is sent home for me to pay. I am glad I was able to pay before she was sent home for the arrears.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($39 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Ever since I started receiving these transfers from GD, I have witnessed a great change in my financial life. I had the business before the transfers though were operating on a very minimal stock. The income was not much hence I could not grow the business because it was also my only income. The little income I used to get was only to cater for my needs which I could not even meet in time. With GD transfers, I have increased my stock which has resulted in a better income. At least now I am able to pay school fees for my children, buy food and meet other needs of the family well without struggling all because of GD transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
As for now, my only goal is to continue growing the business I have now. I know I can not be able to get good employment which can earn me much money like the business. Furthermore, I did not study well to be able to get such kind of well-paying job. My only way is to invest in my business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers on boosting my electronic business by adding more stock to the business. I have always wanted to have a very stable business which I can only get when I have a big stock to operate on. This is why I used the whole of my transfer in boosting the business.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($49 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Electrical jobs are very irregular, and since that is what I mostly depend on financially, life was very tough for my family and I before GD came because sometimes I usually went for a month without making any money. Such times were usually very tough because I was unable to provide for my family's basic needs. GD transfers have made it possible to properly provide for my family even on such days that I have no jobs.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I am currently working as an electrician but I am not employed and mostly depend on contract jobs which are usually not readily available. Sometimes I can even go for a month without coming by any job which normally has a great effect on my family because then, I am not able to provide for the basic needs. During such periods, I am usually idle at home with nothing useful to do therefore, I have decided to save a couple of my next transfers so that I can set up a shoe business near my area of residence. I will be taking care of the business during those periods that I have no electric installation jobs and quit being idle while earning an extra income to support my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I added some of my own saving to the most recent transfer I received from GD and purchased a cow which I added to the farm project that I recently started back at home. I have been investing in livestock in my rural home so that when I eventually decide to permanently relocate back there, I will have some investments of my own.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($50 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My goals are to complete my studies so I can own my own contracting company whereby I can offer wiring and installation services to clients.
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 went back to complete college, after I dropped out years ago due to school fees. I no longer have to sit idle in my neighborhood waiting for casual jobs. I can also support myself now without borrowing debts and loans to survive.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfers to purchase a cow, to purchase household goods and to pay for my college fees. I had begun studying Electrical engineering at Undugu college in Mathare, in the year 2014. I later dropped out because I could no longer raise my school fees. I have been out of school for over 2 years now. I went back to school recently after I begun receiving my transfers. I am now hopeful that I will complete my studies.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I saw the Mpesa early on that morning when I had just woken up. The message must have come in at night while I was still asleep. I was very very happy as I was quite broke at that time. At first, I thought that I had received money in my phone by mistake until I saw the message from Give Directly and that is when I knew that it was the transfers. I withdrew the money after a few days after I took time to think of how I would spend the transfers.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
First, I will continue where I left in my college education. I have been aspiring to learn more because I know the fruits of education, without it opportunities for work are limited. Secondly, I will build my home in upcountry because I have been receiving a lot of pressure from family and friends to build. Lastly, I will buy household items and food that will help sustain my life.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is unemployment because without a job I may not provide basic needs for my family. That is food, shelter, clothing and education. I might end up begging, engaging in criminal activities or end up losing my family.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition is to become a politician because I want to advocate and champion for peoples right. I would want to help build schools, improve infrastructures, help the needy in the society as well as fixing our country's economy.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
In the morning I go to work and come back in the evening. When I am back, I take a shower then relax with my family. I watch news and listen to music sometimes before I go to sleep. When I am not going to work I relax with my family, visit friends, listen to music and sometimes play or watch football.