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?
One evening, I was sitting outside with my wife and children when I received a message from GiveDirectly notifying me that I had received $180. I was filled with happiness and relief. The first thing I did was turn to one of my sons, who had been staying home for almost a week due to a lack of school fees. I told him, "You’ll be going back to school tomorrow." It was a moment of joy for our family, knowing that the burden of school fees had been lifted.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been in my son’s education. Before the transfer, he had been at home for a week, missing out on his studies because I couldn’t afford his school fees. But after receiving the money, I was able to send him back to school, and since then, he hasn’t missed a single day. This has brought me great relief, and I no longer feel the stress of worrying about his education. I am truly thankful to GiveDirectly for this support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Immediately after receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I used $60 to take my son back to school. He had been home for a week due to a lack of school fees, and it was a stressful time for me because I didn’t want his education to be interrupted. Now he’s back in school, and I’m very grateful for that.
Next, I addressed the food situation at home. The floods had swept away my farm, leaving me with no harvest. I used $34 to buy food for my family, ensuring we had regular meals during that difficult time.
I also used $60 to take my other child, who was sick, to the hospital. The floods brought cold weather, and diseases were common, but thanks to GiveDirectly, my child is now back to good health. Lastly, I spent the remaining money on clothes for my family, and we all appreciated the support. This assistance has made a big difference in our lives.
Enrolled
access_time 4 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Due to unstable source of income, we plan to secure our children's education by spending $400 on them. It will give them stability and study well for a better future. I hope when they grow up to secure good skills for a better living.
I am a semi-skilled nurse, did not complete my education due to financial challenges. Will spend $100 to buy medical supplies to help my community members during emergencies such as floods.
Since my wife's business has been sustaining us for long. We plan to boost her with the remaining transfer. I believe this will secure our future income stream. She sells chicken and vegetables, maybe she can even sell second hand clothes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My wife does vegetables and chicken business. It has been sustaining our family for a long time. This is our source of joy, since we're able to support ourselves with it. It makes me happy seeing her running the business.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Our biggest challenge as a family is raising school fees. We have three children in secondary school, and an areas of $100. It's difficult paying because of the high cost of living. We depend on selling chicken and vegetables business. Due to low purchasing power we've experienced financial challenges affecting our ability to pay school fees.
