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?
It was around 8 a.m. when I heard the news that my neighbors had received their first transfer from GiveDirectly. Since I am illiterate, I asked my spouse to check for me. When he confirmed that $550 had been deposited into our account, my heart filled with joy and gratitude. This was a significant amount of money for us, and it meant that we could finally address some of the pressing needs we had struggled with due to financial constraints. I couldn't contain my excitement; I jumped up and down, thanking GiveDirectly for this incredible opportunity that was going to change our lives for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Life was incredibly tough for me. I used to make a living by burning charcoal and selling it just to survive. It was back-breaking work, and I could barely make ends meet. But everything changed when I became a recipient of GiveDirectly's cash transfer. With that money, I was able to start a small cafeteria business. It was a dream come true. Now, I can provide for my family with dignity and hope for a brighter future. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I've turned my life around, and I'm filled with gratitude for the opportunity they gave me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the cash transfer I received wisely. First, I decided to improve my family's living conditions. I bought 20 pieces of iron sheets for $200 and some roofing timbers for $40. With the help of local builders, we constructed a sturdy business structure. This was going to be the heart of my new venture; a cafeteria. The labor cost me $70, but it was worth it.
Thereafter, I invested $200 in stocking up the cafeteria with all the essentials. I wanted to make sure we had a great start. Now, I'm overjoyed because the cafeteria is up and running. It not only provides for my family but also gives us a reliable source of income. It's such a relief compared to relying on charcoal burning, which was so unpredictable. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our lives have taken a turn for the better, all because of that initial support that helped me build a brighter future for my family through this cafeteria.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of six members with four being children. My husband and I do casual jobs earning approximately $70 per month which caters for food and school fees. Three of my children school at MakonjeMare primary and they have a collective fees statement of $54 per term. Most of our income goes to school fees. The family has gone without food for sometimes. I have a business idea to start a food kiosk at the road but lacks money. The Market is good since people travel long distance to get food services. I will use $500 to build a house at along the road for business. I will also use $300 to buy furniture and other requirements to start the food business. I intend to make approximately $20 per day. My desire is to uplift my family from poverty .
What is the happiest part of your day?
The family has been good without food for sometimes due to lack of job. On April the community received rain and I did farming on my two acre piece of land and now the harvest is ready. I intend to harvest 8 bags of maize each 90kg which will sustain me for almost a year. The harvest brings happiness to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing. Indo casual jobs earning approximately $30 per month . Some other months I go without getting any job. My husband also does casual jobs and he makes approximately $50 per month. The money we get caters most for school fees and the rest goes to food. Most of the time the family goes without food for sometimes. There is a time my children missed school due to hunger.
