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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Satta, before GD came, I planned to build a house but could not be realized the house building due to lock of funding. My entire life had been farming and the products sales of my farm could not build me a house, even getting enough food was a major problem for me and my family. I could not do any thing about it because the funding was here at all. I got enrolled as a recipient on the GD program and started receiving transfers, I believe that my life have changed and will be able to do things that I could not do. With these transfers, I can now start to build a house and comfortably buy enough food for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Firstly, I want to take this time to say a very big thanks to Give Directly for services rendered us during the entire enrollment process. In my opinion, you was very transparent. You did a great and excellent job for us..
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was able to buy three (3) bundles of zinc, wire Niles, zinc Niles, paid people to cut the Sticks and saw some planks to start building my house. I was also able to comfortably buy enough food for my family. Thanks to the entire Give Directly family for the level of support to us that can now enable us to improve our lives from mat to matress.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
42500 LRD ($275 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to build my new house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly is good at reaching out to the poor and transferring cash directly to impart their lives. At the moment I can not tell what Givedirectly is not doing well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my money on buying building materials to start my house project; particularly zince and nail.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
40375 LRD ($264 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While in route to my farm that cold morning my phone rang with a message, I quickly checked and discovered it was money sent to me from Givedirectly. I immediately returned to the town and saw everyone celebrating. There was total celebration in the town. In fact many people including me did not go to farm that day. It was a day of celebration. We were so happy and celebrated that day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
In time past, my husband lost one of his fingers while doing farm work. It was a terrible moment for us as a family. There was no help for my family. My children droped from school and things went very bad. We had to move in to we live with my husband little brother. This is something so embarrassing for us and three children. We all sleep in one room.
The major change came with Givedirectly first transfer. My children school fees was paid and they are now in school. Moreover; I am about to start my own house project. Despite my husband loosing one of his fingers, he much happy with the help from Givedirectly. My family hope for a better life has been restore. I am so happy for Givedirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was able to purchased my children uniform for school, and bought three buldle of zinc to build my own house.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
"While I'm supporting my children's education, I would also love to have a house built for my family because my family and myself are currently staying with my in-law.
As I'm speaking with you right now, I'm planning on establishing a small business with GiveDirectly's Cash Transfer.
I believe that setting up a business would be of great help to us in that; when we're in need or low on household items, it will serve as a backup for us!"
What is the happiest part of your day?
"I'm happy because my husband has begun to have feelings and movements in his hands.
He himself told me that he's able to use his hands for petty labor that will not over strain his muscles!
There's another joy I feel everyday for the fact that three of my children who are staying in Pleebo school fees are being paid for and I'm not even worried about them like before because their basic needs are met on that side.
In as much as we're being challenged with so many things, our neighbors have really been receptive towards us!
Therefore, I'm happy and grateful that we're back home and with time I believe we'll grow to somewhere that we all would be proud of as a family!"
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
"Four years ago my husband had an accident with a gun that led to paralysis in his hands.
By then, we were living in this same town but we had to relocate in order to meet up with his medical appointments in the city.
This was one of the toughest times of our lives!
It's just last year December that we were able to settle back home.
Now, it's even tougher because we're like starting our lives again!
The challenges have increased with food and other petty needs that family shouldn't even be struggling with!
We've reached to the point where my children have become the "bread winners" for us!
In order for us to have a day's meal, we usually go from house to house in search of petty things to do around our neighbors yards or some basic house chores to have a little cash for the day."
