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?
My neighbor was having a video shoot with the GiveDirectly staff, and they casually informed us that we’d be receiving money that very day. I wasn’t sure at first, but I kept my phone close, just in case. After a short while, I heard the familiar chime of a message coming through. When I checked, there it was – the GiveDirectly transfer! I was overwhelmed with happiness, knowing that I could finally buy the household essentials I had been needing for so long. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference I've seen since receiving the cash from GiveDirectly is that I am finally able to get myself a big bed—5 by 6 feet—from the small 2½ by 6 bed I had before. I never imagined that I would have such a large, comfortable bed this soon. It's something I had been dreaming about, but I always thought it would take me years to save enough for it. I always felt like I had more pressing needs to take care of, and the thought of affording something as luxurious as a big bed felt impossible. But with this money, I could finally prioritize my comfort, and it feels like such a huge relief to have something I’ve longed for without the worry of scraping together the funds.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing I did when I received the transfer was place a deposit of $60 on a bed. The old one I had was not only too small but had also been eaten away by termites, and I’d been forced to sleep on my brother’s couch for a while. Getting a new bed was a priority because I longed for a good night’s sleep in my own space. With $30, I bought some clothes. For a long time, I didn’t have anything presentable to wear, and it had been affecting my confidence. It feels good to look in the mirror and not feel ashamed of my appearance. I also used $20 to buy some household items like cups, plates, and a small kitchen stand. These basics may seem small, but they make my home feel more functional and welcoming. The remaining $30 went toward paying my sister’s school fees. She’s in Form 2, and helping my mother with this was important to me. Whatever was left, I spent on household food supplies to ensure we had enough to get by. It wasn’t much, but I feel like I managed to stretch the money to cover all the essentials we needed.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I am planning to spend $500 to invest in livestock (sheep and goats). This is a low risk investment that after one year,they will be worth more than my transfer from GiveDirectly because the animals will multiply over a considerably short period of time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
During the last 2 months, I derive so much joy from working in my one acre maize plantation which I estimate to earn about $800 from selling the produce. I am happy because out of this income, I will be able to rebuild my house after the effects of flush floods.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When we experienced flooding about 2 months ago, part of my house collapsed and I have had to cover a section of the walls with temporary canvas material. Consequently, I hardly sleep during rainy nights due to the cold caused by leaking and wet floor. My biggest worry is contracting diseases from mosquito infestation and soaked floors.
