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 transfer has enabled me to buy a pair of oxen which I did not have. I used to hire from neighbors during the planting season which was costly to me. I am glad that the pair of oxen will relieve me the cost of hiring instead, I will be hiring to others at a fee thus earning an income. To me, Owning this pair of oxen is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the message at exactly 7 am as I was already up for the day's chores. As I went through it, I realized that it was from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received my first transfer. At first I could not believe because it was my first time receiving such a huge amount of money. I was happy and overjoyed for the transfer would change my life positively.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a pair of oxen. Previously I used to hire from neighbors which was costly to me. Also, at times I could not afford to hire forcing me to do the farming on my own which was tiresome.I believe with the pair of oxen, I will no longer be hiring instead I will hire to people at a fee thus earning an income during the planting season. Apart from this, I purchased some building materials which include bricks, sand, iron sheets and cement in order to construct a pit latrine.Before then I did not have access to a toilet and I used to do open defecation in bushes which was exposing me to waterborne diseases like cholera. I thank GiveDirectly because through their financial support, I now have a permanent toilet and this has reduced the risk of being infected with such waterborne diseases.I also paid a portion of the transfer to pay for my children's school fees for them to stay comfortably in school without any interruptions concerning school fees. Lastly, I bought foodstuffs and other basic needs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will purchase two dairy cows. This will mean a constant supply of milk in my village and the nearest Bamba market. Running this business will help me attain a stable source of income that will cater for my family needs. The biggest motive behind this is to achieve my ambition of educating my children. I believe that education is the only inheritance that I can give them since I own nothing apart from my small house. This will help them come out of the vicious cycle of poverty in our family, which I believe is caused by illiteracy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Seeing my children going to school in the morning makes me happy. This is because I know that school is the only place that will sharpen their future and make them become better citizens. This thought pushes me to worker even harder no matter how difficult my casual jobs are.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As culture dictated, my parents took me back home 20 years ago after my husband failed to pay dowry. At first I was happy about this knowing that they were punishing my husband, only to realize later that it was a punishment to my children and I. The responsibility of fending for my three children was left solely to me and even my parents who caused my misery could not help. Since then I have always worked as a casual labourer in people's homes and farms in order to make ends meet. Life is very difficult for me as I cannot fully provide basic needs for my family. I have school fee arrears of as little as 20 shillings and I am not sure when I will clear them. Maybe my husband could have helped at least in decision making but he is not here. I can therefore say that financial constraint and lack of a partner to help in decision making are my biggest hardships.
