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 is that the transfer has enabled me to buy new clothes for my family and school uniforms for my children. Buying new clothes to me was just a dream that I never imagined it would come true. We are now happy with enough clothing which it was only through the support from GiveDirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the message early in the morning when I was going through them on my phone's inbox, I could not believe it at first that I had such a large sum of money on my phone. I was greatly overwhelmed with joy for I never expected in my life that I would one day get such fortune in my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I was really struggling to even meet the basic needs like clothing for my children, and even as parents. I cannot even remember the last time I managed to buy new clothes for myself. I had no source of income that would effectively cater to the needs of my whole family. I mainly depended on the little money I was getting from burning and selling charcoal. It's only through the transfer that we managed to buy new clothes for the whole family and threw away the rags that to us were the daily clothes. I also bought new school uniforms for my children. I also bought an ox so as to help us with our farming. a neighbour offered us another ox as we wait for the second transfer to buy another of our own. This effectively helps us to do our farming and get better yields to feed our family. I did shopping on food for my family and paid and also paid school fees for my children so that they can comfortably continue with their studies without being sent home for fees.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a food secure home for me and my family. I will buy oxen and an ox plough which will assist me plough a larger parcel of land thus increasing my yield. It also means I will be able to provide other basic needs such as education for my children because I will buy goats which I can sell later at a higher price and use the proceeds for school fees, uniform and books.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After my children have left for school, I also go out to search for casual jobs to supplement my family's income. Walking and working in the hot sun all day in an empty stomach really drains me a lot. This is why I love evenings because I get to rest, eat and enjoy a goodnight sleep and I wake up the next morning feeling rejuvenated.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial crisis remains to be a big hurdle in my family. My husband's salary as a security guard at a local primary school cannot meet all our food, education, medication and other basic needs of our family. I also do odd jobs at times such as ploghing for my neighbors but still the income can not sustain us.
