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 vividly remember the moment I received a text message on my phone while washing utensils outside my house. Excitedly, I asked my son to read the message aloud, and to my disbelief, it was a notification of funds received from GiveDirectly. Tears of joy streamed down my cheeks as I absorbed this incredible news. That night, I shared the good tidings with my husband, who was equally elated.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The most significant transformation in my life has been the newfound experience of sleeping on a comfortable mattress. Throughout my entire existence, I had never known such comfort. Thanks to the financial support from GiveDirectly, I can now enjoy a restful and comfortable night's sleep, marking a remarkable difference in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I invested a portion of my funds in purchasing ten iron sheets for $85. These sheets were used to construct a new house, as the previous one was in a dilapidated state. Recognizing the importance of comfortable sleeping arrangements, I also bought two mattresses and a wooden bed. The mattresses cost me $130 in total, while the bed amounted to $75. Finally, after enduring years of sleeping on a sisal twine bed, I am overjoyed to have a comfortable place to rest. Additionally, I allocated $80 to pay the school fees for my six children. Five of them are enrolled in primary school, while one is attending secondary school. The remaining balance of $180 was utilized to purchase food and clothes for my children. This financial boost has significantly improved our quality of life, and I am incredibly grateful for the positive impact it has had.
Enrolled
access_time 11 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Education for my children has become a number one priority among my needs. This is because I believe education is the key to a bright future. I always feel so much pain when I see my children at home due to school fee arrears. I plan to ensure this problem is put to rest and I intend to use this money to clear any pending balance in school. This will provide a comfortable environment for my son who is in form 3. With this money, I will use utmost $400 to settle this menace. On the other hand, I will buy 2 new modern beds and mattresses to replace our rugged mats. This will cost me $300. The remaining amount will help me to buy 3 goats and also to finish my son's house which is half open at the roof. Achieving this will mean a better life for my family and this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The good harvest! Having enough food for my family is something that has brought joy to me. This is because, in this season, I got two sacks of 90 kilograms each. The food is enough to sustain us for the next 2 months and I find this as a great relief to me because I will be able to save my little income from the quarry work. The savings will help me to pay for school fees for my children, and I, therefore, consider this as my source of happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
What gives me sleepless nights is the fee arrears for my children that have accumulated in school. Currently, I have a balance of $400 which is pending and this have led them to frequently miss classes. As a parent, I have always felt the pain of watching them desperately at home while others are in school. This has directly affected their performance, a situation that has worried me most. In addition, we usually spend our nights on the earthen floor because we lack beddings. What a life of sorrow! Therefore, I consider financial crisis being my biggest challenge.
