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.
The biggest difference in my daily life that has been brought about by GiveDirectly's transfers is the heifers that I bought with the money. With these heifers, I know that I am more equipped to handle any financial emergencies should they arise. Previously, I had only goats to rear but GiveDirectly transfers enabled me to buy two heifers to add to my livestock. I am looking forward to owning more livestock and having enough milk from them that can sustain the family as well as sell the surplus to meet other basic household needs.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message notification early in the morning that day, when I checked its contents, it was informing me that I had finally received the money I had been anxiously waiting for from GiveDirectly. I could not contain the joy that filled my heart. I was thankful to GiveDirectly for the financial support as we celebrated with my children for the money we received as we looked forward to accomplishing what we had planned.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of my first transfer to buy two heifers to keep in my homestead. Previously I had goats only but through this financial support, I was able to add the two heifers. It is my expectation that these two heifers will reproduce and therefore increase in number. I also expect to reap benefits from the milk they will be producing by selling the milk to meet other family expenses. In addition to this, I also purchased building materials such as iron sheets and building poles to construct a new house for my children. The house that we were staying in initially was too small and my children could go to a neighbors house just to sleep over. I am glad that this embarrassing act shall not happen anymore considering that my new house is now functional. I spent the amount that remained to cater to my household basic needs such as foodstuffs and other expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My two bedroom house is not enough to accommodate our family of eight. This forces some of my children to sleep in the kitchen. My desire is to give them a decent shelter and I will therefore construct a better house for them. I will also renovate my current house to make the walls permanent because I have to repair them every three months and it is quite expensive. Besides, I will purchase oxen to scale up farming and also hire them to generate income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Herding goats is very tiresome because they are extremely stubborn. This means i have to spend a better part of the day looking after them to ensure they are satisfied. I therefore hardly rest and it is only in the evening when I get some relief. It also at this time when I settle with my family to take supper and their presence makes me very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Insufficient income to support my six children is my biggest hardship. Being a housewife, I depend on my husband for everything and this makes it difficult to sustain the family. Raising school fees is a big challenge and most of the time my children are sent back home. It is also not surprising for us to go without food for a number of days.
