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?
It was still early in the morning as I was enjoying a cup of tea when I received a message notification on my phone. I decided to read it and know its contents and it was at this time that I knew that GiveDirectly had sent me the promised money. I became so happy upon realizing this and I immediately informed my spouse who was equally overjoyed upon hearing the good news. I composed myself and informed my family to remain calm as I did not want other people apart from my family to know about it for security purposes. With the money, I knew that I would make an investment that will benefit my family for so long.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before GiveDirectly came for enrollment, I had 7 dairy cows and I am glad that I have been able to add two to my herd and this to me is the biggest difference in my daily life. In my tribe, someone who has more cows is considered to be wealthier than someone with none or few cows. Being able to buy two cows at a go is not only a source of pride and wealth to me but also an investment that I can rely on in educating my children by using money from the sale of milk to achieve this.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Seeing my children through their education has been my aim despite the financial challenges that I sometimes face. When I received my transfer, I decided to spend all amount to purchase two heifers as an investment that I can rely on in educating my son who will be joining college early next year. I am hopeful that he will complete his studies without major challenges as I am planning to be using the money from the sale of milk to achieve this.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My family struggles in buying milk each day. We use about $1.5 on milk per month, my wife is a stay at home mum and quite old, so she can not support in working and bringing extra income to the household. That is why when I receive this transfer I will use most of it amounting to $1000 in purchasing 4 dairy cows.Milk produced will be for home consumption and we can sell the remaining milk to generate extra income. The remaining $100 will be used in buying farm seeds, clothes and food for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I wake up early to work in my farm and on weekends at a tea farm. I spend most of the day ploughing and sometimes harvesting and it's exhausting. But in the evening when I get to rest is when I'm the happiest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we face as a family is inadequate Capital. I sometimes work in a tea farm to make a living and get paid $100 per month,which is not enough to carter for basic needs such as buying food, livestock and school fees for my last born son.
