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 relaxing in the afternoon when I decided to check my phone, as it doesn't show message notifications. I had heard my neighbors rejoicing about receiving their transfers from GiveDirectly, so I was curious. When I saw the message, I was so excited that I immediately thought of my father, who doesn't know how to check his messages yet he was also expecting the money. I rushed to him, since the helper that had been assigned to him had travelled. I checked his phone and to our surprise, the money had also been sent to him. I told him about the message and it got him very excited as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
For about two years, my father had been sick, which forced me to leave my business to take care of him. Unfortunately, this resulted in my business closing down. It was a tough period for us, both financially and emotionally. However, when I received the money from GiveDirectly, I was able to restart my business, and it has been a blessing ever since. I am glad that my business is doing well now, as the profits will help boost the construction of our house. Additionally, I am grateful to God for restoring my father's health. His recovery, combined with the success of my business, has brought a sense of hope and purpose to our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $200 to revive my coconut selling business, which had stalled when I had to take time off to care for my ailing father. With the business up and running again, I now have a steady income to support my family. With another $200, I bought 10 iron sheets and some logs to build a two-roomed house. We have been living in a one-room house, which becomes even more challenging whenever my two sons come home. Without enough space, they end up going back to town to find a place to sleep. The new two-room house will provide us with much-needed space and comfort, allowing my sons to stay home and be with the family. I also used $40 to buy food for my family since ensuring that having enough to eat is always a priority, and this money allowed me to stock up the very important household food items. The support from the cash transfer has not only helped me revive my business and improve our living conditions, but it has also brought a sense of stability and hope for a better future.
Enrolled
access_time 8 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I am a single mother of three living at my maternal home after divorcing my husband 20 years ago. I do casual jobs earning little income which caters for food. I live in a one room house which is not spacious though I lack the capacity to build one. I will use $200 to start a food kiosk business at the trading center. The market is good and I intend to make a profit of approximately $20 per day. I will also use $550 to build a two room house with iron sheets roof. The house will accommodate all my family since now my boys seek shelter from neighbors.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My mother has been sick for almost five months now. He has been under medication all through . He has now recovered and fully energized. His health situation now brings happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Accessing reliable job is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I do casual jobs with little income that caters for food only. Sometimes I go without food. My father is aged and sick so I lack the capital to take him to have better medication.
