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 recall being preoccupied with farm work at the time I received my transfer. When I was startled by a message ringtone, I came to a halt to see what the message was about. When I confirmed, I discovered that I had received funds from GiveDirectly. I was ecstatic and overjoyed because I knew I would be able to accomplish a lot with the funds. I returned home and informed my husband, who was overjoyed and grateful to hear the news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The most significant difference is that I was able to accomplish a lot in a short period. I am glad my dreams were easily realized thanks to the unconditional transfer I received. More so, I was able to stock the house with food and upgrade my seat. I am grateful for the help that has significantly raised my living standards and brought so much happiness and fulfilment into our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I knew I had to prioritize paying my children's school fees. This is because it was the most pressing need we had at the time, so I spent $100 on school fees. I am married and have three children. My husband is a mason, and I rely on farming for a living. Second, I upgraded my seat by purchasing a sofa set for $90 and later purchasing clothes and food with the remaining funds. All of this was previously impossible due to a lack of funds. I am extremely grateful for the assistance that has significantly improved my standard of living.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I would like to spend $700 of these transfers to buy two quality-grade cows for milk production. I understand that to maintain milk production in cows, they need to have a constant source of feed. I will therefore spend $300 on planting fodder crops on the 1-acre piece of land that I currently have. This investment would be a lifetime one because apart from the milk that I will be selling there will also be manure from my cowshed and this will be earning me at least $50 quarterly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have unmatched energy when am carrying out my duties and this is what gives me joy and happiness always.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a mason by profession though my passion all along has been farming. Due to the rising cost of living, I have however been engaging in the two ventures to keep afloat my income and provide for the needs of the family. We are a family of 4 and over the past few months, the cost of meeting our daily needs has sharply risen from $1 a day at the beginning of 2022 to $2 a day as of now. This made me decide to juggle the two income streams but it is so straining. I have to work for at least 16 hours a day and the amount of income I get at the end of the day is not encouraging at all. I would like to settle on farming full time for I believe that if I concentrate my efforts on livestock rearing it will earn me at least $120 monthly as opposed to the $60 am getting now.
