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?
It was around 6 AM when I cleaning my compound then I heard my phone ringing, suddenly a message popped. Upon checking, it was from GiveDirectly indicating that they had debited my first transfer into my account as they had promised. My heart was filled with joy I could not explain it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having my own goats in that I am currently rearing in my compound and makes the biggest difference in my life. I am so happy now because in case of any financial crisis I will have the goats to depend on. I have been longing to keep them in my homestead for years but due to the financial difficulties, I could not afford to purchase them. I settled in buying them because I believe they will multiply very soon since they reproduce twice a year and their offsprings mature faster. This assures me that my children will be going to school without any difficulties concerning school fees since I will be selling the offsprings and pay the school fees in advance. In addition to this, I will be able to fulfill my household basic needs without straining since it has been a big challenge to me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on paying school fees for my two children who are in college and secondary school. I then bought some goats as my potential assets that I can depend on in case of any emergency. I bought some new clothes for my family to replace the old ones which were old. We are now like the rest, we could not even afford to visit our friends because of the conditions of the clothes. I bought some iron sheets and building poles to build a small house to keep our chicken. Previously we used to share the same house which was so unhygienic. I am using the remaining amount of money in buying some enough foodstuffs since we have been starving due to the long droughts.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Investing on my children's education is what receiving this money means to me. Currently, I have two children in school one in class seven and other is about to join college for electrical and wiring course. I am planning to spend $ 350 on shopping and paying their school fees. The remaining amount will aid in starting livestock rearing which will be my future investment for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a house wife my mornings and afternoon are the busy part of my day doing my household activities like cooking, fetching water. It only in the evening that I get enough time to relax my body hence I consider it as my happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of adequate financial resources to cater for the educational needs of my children has been my biggest challenge in my life. Staying with my kids at home due to lack of fees has really affected their performance in school. I have always been worried that I may fail to educate them like others kids in the village.
