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 felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. I found myself laughing a lot having received this money. I never thought someone could give us such an amount of money without them requiring us to pay back at a later date. The thought of being able to accomplish my long term plans was just so satisfying. I felt so much proud of myself.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the cow that I bought and the school fee that I was able to pay in time. For a long time, we had been relying on casual labour to raise money needed to meet all the basic household needs of the family. For the first time I was also able to pay school fees for my son in school and this was an assurance that he will stay in school for a whole term without having to wory of the ususl problem of lack of school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used part of my recent transfer to buy a dairy cow, part of it to pay school fees and the remaining amount was used to buy food for the family. I had alwasy longed to have a dairy cow for the family knowing very well that this would reduce the burden of having to rely on casual labour to raise money enough to feed the family. This was however not to be because the amount of money gotten from my casual work was barely enough to provide food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will able to reduce my family consumption expenditure especially on food. I plan to purchase two exotic dairy cattle that will cost $500 and increase my acreage under maize cultivation for an additional $200.This will bring to an end the daily purchase of milk, maize flour and other foodstuff for my family's consumption. I will use the remaining amount of the transfer to clear school fee balance for my two kids who are finalizing their primary education this year.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After I am done with my usual household chores, I head to my nearby small farm to carryout some farm activities like tilling, weeding etc. Currently I have planted maize and its awaiting weeding. My happiest part of the day is in the evening when I am able to account for the day more so if my days objective has been met.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I usual have an on and off joint swelling problem for the past two years. I have been frequently visiting various hospital in search for treatment but the medical expense is too high. The disease is said to be curable but with my inability to raise the required amount, I have not been able to go back to the hospital. Hopefully, I will be able to be free from this condition very soon.
