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 woke up early one morning around 6 a.m., reached for my phone, and noticed a new message. Curious, I checked it and saw it was a transfer notification from GiveDirectly. At that moment, a wave of happiness hit me—I couldn’t believe it! I immediately went to tell my wife, and she was just as thrilled as I was. We sat down together and discussed how we’d use the money, agreeing that our first purchases would be a goat and some much-needed food items for the household.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference I’ve seen since I received the cash is that I’ve been able to feed my children properly. Before, it was a struggle just to make sure they had enough to eat. We’d have days where meals had to be skipped because we simply didn’t have enough. Our little farm used to support us, but the floods swept away almost everything we relied on. Right now, we eat every day, and I can see the change in my children—they’re fuller and happier, with brighter faces and more energy. The cash has brought us stability; it means we’re not forced to worry daily about where our next meal will come from. We’re closer as a family, sharing our meals together with more joy. The relief I feel is something I couldn’t have imagined, and it’s changed our lives in a way I’ll always be grateful for.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
First, I bought two goats for $100 to add to the six I already had. Goats are easy to maintain, and they’ll multiply over time, which means more assets for my family. I see this as an investment that will continue to provide for us in the years to come, giving us a reliable source of income and even milk for the children. I then used $60 to buy two bags of maize. Harvest season had come, but I had nothing to show for it since the crops I had planted were swept away by heavy rains. This way, I won’t have to worry about feeding my family, and we can keep going until the next planting season, hopefully with better luck. With the money left, I bought some new clothes for my three children. Their clothes were worn out, and I wanted them to have something decent to wear. It felt good to see them look happy and confident in their new clothes. They deserve to feel good about themselves, just like any other children. Knowing that I used this money to meet both our immediate needs and to plan for the future gives me peace.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have always had the desire of living in a decent house. In 2018, I was displaced by floods and this forced me to seek refuge at relatives place but later bought a piece of land. I have not completed paying for it because I depend on casual jobs and motorcycle business to earn a living. I plan on using the transfers to pay that debt and cement my two roomed house. The rest of the transfers I shall use to pay school fees and purchase goats to add to the few that I have. I am excited because I will be able to execute my plans without much strain.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the past four months, the nearby lake has been overflowing resulting in displacement of several people and loss of farms. I am thankful to God because I was not affected and I am living my life normally. I am hopeful that the rains will not continue as much so that I can harvest the maize plantation near the lake.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest challenge because of unpredictable rain patterns. We hardly harvest anything when we depend on the rain for farming because it is not sustainable at the same time practicing irrigation farming is expensive because the source of water is five kilometers. I currently do a motorbike taxi to ensure my family does not lack anything.
