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 biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning the livestock which includes a heifer and five goats to me is the biggest difference in my daily life. I could not have acquired them at my own cost due to scarce resources. Livestock to me is a long term living asset that I can lean on when I face any financial challenge. Besides, they will reproduce and increase in number. I will be benefiting from the milk that the heifer will be producing thus I will no longer be buying elsewhere.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message notification on my phone and on checking to confirm who the sender was, I was filled with happiness that I had received a good sum of money on my phone. I was so grateful and thanked GiveDirectly for such handy financial support in my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of my first transfer on buying a heifer and five goats. This to me is a fulfilment of my dream of owning livestock, and I am grateful to GiveDirectly because these to me are long term assets which I can lean on in any time I am faced with a financial challenge. In addition to the livestock, I also bought a new mattress and a bed to replace the old beddings that I have been using for a long time, they are old and worn out. I also bought some building materials which include blocks, sand and cement for the renovation of my house to make it permanent. I spent the remaining amount to cater for my household basic needs such as food and other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Living as a widow is something that has made me to be a desperate individual in our village. This is because, considering my sons' sources of income which I depend on most are unreliable, something that has forced me to make cattle ropes that I sell during market days in order to supplement the little income from my sons' jobs. Receiving this money means changing my lifestyle. I will be able to repair my house to make it permanent and buy beddings for myself, because the ones I currently sleep on are unworthy to use. I also plan to use the better part of my transfers in buying livestock, which I can sell whenever a need arise. This will change my livelihood and hence, it is this transition that receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My morning and afternoon hours are usually hard for me. This is because, considering my age and the income status I have, I am still forced to provide my breakfast and the lunch meals for myself. In the evening my daughter in-laws share with me what they have prepared for dinner. It is at this time when I feel so happy because of their campany. Therefore, I consider evening as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Since I am a widow with no reliable source of income, I majorly depend on my sons' support, but because their earnings are unreliable, I am forced to make cattle ropes that I usually sell during market days in order to earn me income that can sustain my daily breakfast and lunch meals.This makes my life so difficult and therefore, I consider lack of reliable source of income as my biggest hardship.
