GDLive Newsfeed
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.
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Newsfeed > Patuma's Profile
Patuma's family
Patuma
landscapeCountry:
malawi
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
73
workCampaign
Malawi Large Transfers
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
attach_money
 
Follow to be updated on Patuma's next check-in.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The money will help me to buy clothes and beddings. I lost my husband in 1999, who left me with only one child, a daughter. Ever since he passed away, I have never thought of remarrying because I wanted to give my daughter all the necessary materials that she might need in life. Later my daughter got married and she gave birth to a son. After two years she was found with cancer which claimed her life in 2006. I was left with my grandson whom I have rised single handed and now he is married with children. Before my husband passed away, we had everything that we wanted and he build a house with iron sheets. But things changed as his relatives came and took over all his businesses. In total they took away almost everything costing about K500000.00 ($479). Some of the properties, I sold them as I was seeking medical help for my daughter. I sale everything including my bedings which made me left with only one blanket, 4 dresses and 2 Zitenje. Since I have nothing that generates money now, I most of the times slept on an empty stomach. With my age, I can not work, it's my grandson who helps me everything. Since we are only two in the family, I have been asked to be at the village to look after the family land whilst my grandson lives along lake banks, (he is a fisherman) with his family. Furthermore, I can not stay with my in-law as people thinks I am switch and I kill my great grand children. Therefore, the money will help me to buy clothes, beddings and shoes. I wish to buy food, not maize but something different like rice and chicken as it has been long since I once eat that kind of food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a happiest person when my grandson visits but otherwise I am not happy. Most days I spend it on my own. I cook and eat on my own. I am so lonely.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship that o have faced so far is the loss of my sister, husband and my only child. We were born two sisters in our family, myself and my younger sister. I lost my sister when we were young. She did not had a chance to give birth. I can't really remember which year she passed on but it's almost 40 years ago. Then I lost my husband after saying 10years in marriage in 1999. It was heart broken and it was the most hardest thing I have ever faced. Due to his death, it was the beginning of the my poverty. Later in 2006, I lost the only child I had, living me with a son to rise. Her husband disappeared few years after her death and I was told he also passed away. My daughter's sickness, made me to sale everything that I had to save her life but she ended up dead. Those are the biggest hardships of my life.