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 had left my phone at home and went to look after my goats, not knowing good news was waiting for me. When I returned home that evening, my daughter excitedly told me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was so happy, and the first thing that came to my mind was paying my son's school fees at the university. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I used to have chickens, but they all died early this year due to a disease outbreak, which left me devastated. Besides casual jobs, selling chickens and eggs was my other source of income, and it also provided nutritional value for my family. I thought I would never be able to own chickens again, as I could not afford to replace them. Then, GiveDirectly’s cash came, and it completely changed my thinking. I was able to buy eight chickens and even build a proper chicken coop, something I didn't have before. My previous chickens used to sleep inside our house, which was inconvenient. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Earlier this year, I lost my twelve chickens to a disease outbreak, and since then, I’ve had to buy eggs from shops, which were expensive and limited how often we could eat them. Eating chicken also became rare in my home. Rearing chickens is not difficult for me because I have done it before, so when I received my cash transfer, I thought, Why not start again? I spent $60 to build a chicken coop and $30 to buy six indigenous chickens at $5 each. My son, who is in university, needed help with his fees, so I gave him $50 to reduce his arrears. Without this support, I would have sold my goats, which have decreased in number. With the remaining $41, I bought food, including maize, beans, and condiments, as we didn’t have enough to eat at the time and my work as a casual laborer was not reliable. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
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What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Since casual jobs are so unreliable here, I have been eager to diversify my income sources. Recently, I have been considering poultry farming, but I lack the capital to get started. I am hopeful now because I am anticipating some transfers which will allow me to invest more extensively in poultry farming. I see it as a promising opportunity to generate income through selling eggs and poultry. With the transfers, I plan to spend $200 towards building a poultry house and purchasing the chickens needed to start. Additionally, I will spend $300 in cultivating maize and vegetables on my 1.5-acre plot of land. This initiative will not only provide food for my family of four but also create a sustainable income stream. The remainder of the transfers will go towards paying school fees for my son who is in university. It is a relief to have this opportunity to invest in our future and improve our livelihoods. I am optimistic about the possibilities ahead and determined to make the most of this opportunity.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Having a supportive family brings me so much happiness. As the sole breadwinner for my family of four, finding enough casual jobs to support us is a constant struggle. Some days, I earn as little as $2, which is far from enough to meet our needs. Despite this, I am grateful for my children, who step in to help. They also take on casual jobs to contribute to our income while balancing their own responsibilities. Their support means everything to me. It is a team effort to make ends meet, and their willingness to pitch in lifts my spirits and motivates me to keep pushing forward, despite the challenges we face.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being the sole breadwinner for my family of four is incredibly challenging, especially when relying on casual jobs that can be scarce. Some days, I struggle to find work, and it can go on for days without earning anything. When I cannot find a job, I dip into my savings, but lately, I have had to use all my savings to pay for school fees and feed my family. It is a constant battle to make ends meet, and the pressure weighs heavily on me. I am determined to keep going, but it is tough when there is no financial cushion left.
