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 biggest difference in your daily life.
It was such a shame when the only sewing machine which was the only source of income was auctioned leaving us with no source of income, yet we had a family to take care of. I'm happy, proud and so peaceful because I managed to buy another sewing machine, and we are back on our feet. This is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was out in the field grazing goats when a message streamed in my phone and on reading the message I was amazed that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I immediately left for home so that I could share the news with my spouse. She was happy too and that was the time we believed that GD meant their words when they promised us money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
We rely on oxen for plowing in our area but I didn't have any so during the farming season I was forced to plow other people's farm so that they could lend me their oxen for plowing my farm. This inconvenienced me because I was always the last person to plow and at the same time I couldn't plow a large area which led to low and poor productivity. The moment when I received the transfer I bought two oxen and an ox-plow. In addition to that, my spouse has skills in sewing but the only sewing machine we had was auctioned by the women group microfinance because I owed them. She was therefore forced to stay back at home leaving me as the only breadwinner but since I relied on casual work which was not reliable too, it was so hectic meeting the family needs. I, therefore, bought a sewing machine which she uses currently and I'm happy we now have an additional source of income.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Having my own oxen and ox plough and buying a sewing machine for my wife are two things I have always dreamt of.
This ambition will come to pass because of the money I will receive from Givedirectly.
With the two in place,I will be a successful farmer able to provide adequate food for my family while my wife's earnings from tailoring will be complimentary in paying school fees.
Before this money came,my first born who is in pre-school would stay home for a week due to lack of school fees prompting me to take some of the chicken kept for food to school so as to clear fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a farmer,I spend most of my time in the farm from dawn up until midday. I then break for lunch and return to the farm at 3:00pm.During this time I beam with hope that the work of my hands will bear fruits.I derive happiness in the evening in the sense that I have done my part in the farm and can only wait for the rewards.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest worry is always about being unable to cater for my children's education.I struggle so much in life because I didn't get proper education and wouldn't want my children to go through the same.It worries me so much that even at the formative stage of their education, I can not give them the best due to lack of stable source of income.
