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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was just seated at home, relaxing because I'm too old to work, when my daughter came rushing to me with my phone in hand. It was around 4 PM, and she excitedly told me that a money message had popped up. At that moment, I was filled with happiness, knowing that I finally had a starting point to build my house. You see, I used to sleep in the kitchen because my house was in such a bad state. The first thing I thought of was how my life was about to change for the better, and I couldn't help but feel incredibly grateful and hopeful for the future.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since receiving payments from GiveDirectly, my life has transformed in ways I never thought possible. I used to sleep in the kitchen, constantly inhaling smoke with no hope of escape. But now, with the financial help, I have begun constructing a new house. Each day, as I see the walls rise, I feel a surge of hope and excitement knowing that soon I'll have a safe, smoke-free shelter to call my own. This support has given me the chance to dream again and look forward to a healthier, more comfortable life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My life used to be very hard, as I had no proper house and was sleeping in the kitchen. The smoke from the cooking would disturb me at night, making it difficult to rest. When I received my first cash transfer of $550 from GiveDirectly, I decided to build a house. I spent $173 on 15 pieces of iron sheet and $11 on three ridges. For the structure, I bought poles, rafters, and roofing timbers for $125, and I paid $100 for the labor charges to the contractor, who is still working on the construction.
With the remaining amount, I have saved it to ensure I can complete the house. Soon, I will have a proper place to sleep, free from the smoke that used to bother me every night. I am very happy and eagerly looking forward to enjoying a comfortable, smoke-free home. Once the house is finished, I plan to use my remaining savings to make further improvements in my life.
Enrolled
access_time 6 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of two members and both of us are aged. We cannot engage in any hard activities. I do subsistence farming though on a small scale. During drought then I depend on neighbors for help. I will use $200 to buy five goats as an investment and also as a source of income in the future. I will also use $400 to add one room to my house and buy beddings. I currently live in a one room house without any door and bedding. My husband and I sleep on the floor and we always complain of pains on our bodies.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The village has been under famine for the past four years . However last year in October we received rain and I planted maize on my two acre piece of land and harvested six bags of maize each 90 kg. The food will sustain the family for the next six months. The harvest brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband and I are aged and we cannot work anymore. I do subsistence farming though on a small scale. Most of the time I depend on neighbors for food whenever we fail to harvest. Lack of reliable sources of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life.
