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?
I was just at home relaxing when I heard a message notification from my phone. When my son came home, he checked it for me. There was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such amount of money before. I knew I would be able to purchase building materials and build a better house. I live in a small grass thatched house. My son withdraw the money the following day and we start planning on how to spend it. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Purchasing building materials and timber is the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because I was not able to buy this building materials before. I live in a small grass thatched house that cannot host all the family members comfortably. I depend on my children to support me since I cannot do any activities due to my old age. I spent part of the money on funeral planning for my spouse who passed on few weeks ago. I would have started the construction process. I am so grateful for the support because now I have the building materials. I am waiting for the second transfer to start the construction process. I will be able to live in a better and spacious house. I will no longer shy off like before welcoming visitors to my new house. GiveDirectly has changed my living standard.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent half of the money on purchasing iron sheets and timber ready to build a better house. I live in a small grass thatched house that cannot host all my family members comfortably. I had always wished to build a better house but it was not possible because I did not have a source of income. The remaining amount of money I spent during the funeral preparation. I lost my spouse and we used the rest of the money on food and other basic items that was needed. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will be really a great boost to me and my husband especially at this old age. We are very old and economically inactive. Currently we are living in a leaking grass-thatched round hut. I have been longing for either my sons or any well wisher to realize our problem and help us build a better shelter. I am really grateful for Give Directly's help and hopefully I will soon or later live in an iron sheets roofed house
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the last approximately 10 years we have never harvested any crops in Chepalungu constituency. Crop diseases hit our region heavily. My happiness is attributed to November 2021 where I harvested 40kgs of beans. The harvest helped me a lot in domestic expenses. I was able to atleast feed my household for a while without much dependency on my son.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently we are in a rainy season and my house leaks alot. This is a big challenge to me and my husband. Secondly we entirely depend on my one able son for food catering, clothing and medical expenses. I feel much disappointed for overburdening him since he also pays school fees for his children. I wish I even had a single dairy cow to reduce his heavy burden.
