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?
The sun was scorching, sited at my child's school, at 3 pm and my phone buzzed, indicating a message had been received. I quickly took a glance at my phone and saw a message confirming my receipt of $550 in my mobile account. I felt happy and relieved. I knew I had funds to cover school fees. As a mother of five, I felt relieved of the worry and stress that comes with a lack of funds. GiveDirectly was heaven-sent for me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I used to own a small cafeteria before GiveDirectly came into our lives. I was selling tea and various baked goods, but the profits were pitiful, to say the least. I was in debt and unable to pay school fees or meet any other needs we had. GiveDirectly changed my life, and it has had a positive impact on my family, we will be eternally grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having received the funds from GiveDirectly, I was fast in clearing the debt I had accrued of $150, which I had borrowed for school fees. I wanted to make sure the funds would have a lasting impact on me and my family, so a battery for my home solar system was crucial. It finally allowed me to have lights in the evening. The lights allowed us to have an amazing holiday, especially since the funds allowed us to spend $80 on food for the festivities. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we had a holiday season that we would have never imagined. We all got a few new clothes as well. Setting aside $20 to cater for the lot I finally paid $100 in school fees to make sure my kids were ahead of the curve in terms of school fees. Making sure we have a buffer in terms of payment is a great relief. GiveDirectly has taken away so much pressure that we were handling as a household.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I will be so relieved once I receive this money. I have accumulated a debt of $260 in school fees arrears which has been had to pay. I have three children in school, one in high school and the other two in primary school. My desire is for them to finish school and get good jobs.
Renovating my three houses will be my next priority. The houses are made of bricks and iron sheets. The iron sheets are worn out and when it rains they lick. I need to buy new ones 41 in number which might cost me $287 and buy several bags of cement. I am yet to know the total cost but I am happy that I will not have to pay for Labor since my husband is into construction work.
Contentment is all I see when I achieve all this.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have thought to always focus on the positives. Despite the many challenges face, (lack of finances)every day I get out of bed alive and well is a joy. Some nights are tough because I sleep on an empty stomach, but I count it a joy to be alive.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Money, it is as if we are playing hide and seek. I am so frustrated that I have to struggle to get food or pay school fees for my children. The odd jobs I get (washing clothes and fetching firewood) only support me for less than two weeks a month. I have to live within my means. Sometimes it gets hard and we go to bed hungry but I am hopeful that things will get better someday.
