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?
As a married father of six school aged children, two boys and four girls, my wife and I have faced great challenges due to unemployment. We have relied on charcoal burning, but the income has never been enough to cover our family's needs, including school fees for our children. The struggle to make ends meet has been emotionally draining, especially as I have always wanted to provide a comfortable life for my loved ones. Our situation was saddening, with debts from every corner. One day, while I was at home, I heard from neighbors that they had received transfers from GiveDirectly. My phone had issues and was not working, so I borrowed a device from a neighbor and inserted my SIM card to confirm if I too had received the transfers. To my surprise and relief, I discovered that I too had received financial assistance from GiveDirectly. It was a moment of sheer joy and gratitude, knowing that our circumstances were about to change for the better. My immediate thought was to invest in a motorcycle, a means to progress the charcoal business that we had, which would significantly improve our family's quality of life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life was very difficult, with debts lurking in every corner as I struggled to support my family. Providing food and paying school fees was a constant challenge, leaving us all feeling deeply saddened. My children accrued significant school fees debts, and there were times when we had to go without food. With GiveDirectly amidst, every thing has changed for the better. With my charcoal business flourishing, I make two trips a week to town to supply charcoal, earning a profit of $30 per trip, totaling $60 weekly. The weight of worry that once burdened my shoulders has been lifted, replaced by a newfound sense of happiness and fulfillment. To see the smiles on the faces of my loved ones, knowing that I am able to provide for them, fills my heart with indescribable joy and gratitude.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My wife and I are in the charcoal burning business, but we have not been earning enough to sustain our family of six school going children. My wish has always been to acquire a motorcycle, expand the business, and sell more volume. However, I did not have enough money to purchase a motorcycle, let alone sustain my family. With the transfer of $550 I received from GiveDirectly, I invested all of it in a motorcycle for my business. This investment is a game changer for me and my family. I now source charcoal from my community and transport it to town where there is great demand, earning me $60 a week, more than I earned before. I am now happy that I can provide for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Initially, I used to do motorbike taxis, but because of my health challenges, I had to abandon this work and stay at home for 1 year now. Since then, I gave my motorbike to a friend but it's currently unroadworthy due to mechanical problems. Since I have fully recovered, I plan to resume my work but I intend to buy a second-hand motorbike which will cost me $500. This will guarantee me a reliable source of income to support my family. On the other hand, I will also invest in poultry farming for my spouse to take care of. At my estimation, this project will cost me $300. Achieving this will mean a good life because we will be financially stable. The remaining amount will support my children's education. Hence, this is basically what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the many challenges that I have experienced in my life, I am so grateful this season because of my family's efforts to till our 2-acre piece of land. Currently, we are harvesting the maize which I am sure of sustaining us for the next 4 to 5 months. What a great sigh of relief!
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My health! As for now, I am yet to fully engage in serious work because I underwent a minor surgery to remove a growth that had grown in one side of my nose. Over the last year, I have remained jobless at home and this means depending on my wife who had to seek a house help job to take care of us. Currently, we are both at home because my wife had to come back to do farming during the long rains. The feeling of being jobless is so painful and has brought about hardship in my life since my family needs their father's attention. Since I am now fully recovered, I am soon going to my normal duties. I, therefore, consider the lack of a job now as the reason for my hardship in life.
