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 been on the farm all day preparing my land for planting. When I was about to leave for the house, my phone rang with a message. Since I could not read, I waited until I got home so my daughter, Pendo, could help me. When I got home that evening, she checked and confirmed that my transfer had arrived. My heart skipped with happiness. I was very tired from the day's farm work, but the money relieved me somehow, and I even forgot about the fatigue. In my mind, the goals I had planned would come to fruition now that I had money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am happy and grateful for the cash transfer because the money alleviated a lot of hardships in my family. I used to rely on my son, who is a driver, for daily provisions. Other than that, he also supports his two siblings who are in college, which can be overwhelming for him sometimes. The biggest difference now is that I was able to pay for my children's school fees and support their education. I am happy that this has relieved my son of the burden and allowed him to cover other expenses effectively.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My goal was to obtain a door for my house, a bed, and a mattress. My house had not had a door since it was built four years ago. I used to lay logs at the entrance to seal the door, but it was not reliable because something could easily crawl in. So, when I got the money, I spent $50 to buy a door and pay the person who installed it for me. Also, I used to sleep on a sisal-twined bed with sacks as bedding. It was challenging, and I wondered how long I would continue sleeping in such an uncomfortable space. I spent $140 to buy a bed and a fitting mattress. I also spent $350 towards the school fees of my daughter Pendo, who is pursuing an Education degree. I was happy because this covered her tuition for that term. I was glad to contribute because she used to rely on her sibling, who is a driver. I spent the remaining amount to pay rent and living expenses for Pendo's younger sibling, who is in college studying mechanical training. Although I have no source of income apart from relying on farming during the rainy season, as a parent, I was proud to support the education of my children. I could never be more grateful for the cash transfers. Because of the money, my house feels safe at night with the installed door, I will no longer have to sleep on a tiring sisal-twined bed, and the education of my two children is covered for this academic term.
Enrolled
access_time 7 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
The first thing that I consider to focus on is to change the nature of my beddings as well as fixing a door for my house. This will change my status quo because I lack peace of mind to spend my nights on the earthen floor. This will cost me at least $200 of my transfers to make it a reality. The remaining amount of the transfers will support my 2 children who are currently in college. One is doing a teaching course while the other one is focussing on a technical course on mechanics. I desire to see them excel and I wish to spend my money in paying their school fees. This will guarantee them maximum time in school and eventually to have good performances. Thus, this is basically what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The food security in my household! This is something that has kept peace in my mind because, despite the financial constraints, I am so happy to have had enough food for my family since the beginning of this year 2024. This has brought about happiness because the little amount of money that my son makes can support his siblings without much interruption.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Life at the moment is so tough because I do not have a reliable source of income to depend on. Looking at my husband's health condition, it has pushed me to assume the household responsibilities. My hope has been on my son who is a driver but his support is minimal due to the nature of his income. It is a great feeling of pain to have involuntarily forced my elder son to postpone marriage since he carries the burden of supporting his siblings in school. Hence, I consider financial instability as my biggest challenge.
