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 was just relaxing at home when I heard a message notification on my phone right there next to me. Curious, I picked it up and opened the message, and my heart leaped when I saw it was the GiveDirectly transfer! I couldn’t believe it—I felt so excited! The first thing I did was call my husband to tell him the good news. I was overjoyed because I already had a plan in mind: I wanted to lease a piece of land to plant beans, and now I finally had the money to make it happen.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
When the cash from GiveDirectly came in, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I had wanted to plant beans since it’s what most people do around this season, but my land was completely flooded. It was devastating because I didn’t have the resources to do much about it, and missing the planting season would mean no harvest for months. With the money I received, I managed to lease a different piece of land—one that wasn’t affected by the floods. Now, the beans are growing well, and I feel relieved knowing I’ll have something to harvest soon. Without that transfer, I honestly wouldn’t have been able to plant anything this season. This has been a big shift for me because instead of feeling stuck, I now look forward to what’s to come.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the cash transfer, I first leased half an acre of land for $40 to plant beans. I’ve always wanted to grow beans, but my land was flooded and unsuitable. I used part of the money to buy 20 kilograms of bean seed and paid $8 for labor to help with the planting. Later, I spent another $8 on herbicides to spray the farm and keep it free from weeds. The floods not only ruined my land but also swept away most of our clothes. My children had nothing decent to wear, so I spent $40 on clothing to replace what we lost. It was a relief to see them dressed properly again, especially since they had been going through a difficult time with the floods. On top of that, my son in Grade 3 had school fee arrears, and I needed to clear them to keep him in school, so I used $40 to settle his balance. The remaining amount went toward food since my business had been struggling, and we needed to ensure we wouldn’t go hungry. This cash transfer has truly been a lifeline, helping me handle urgent needs and keep my family afloat during a tough season.
Enrolled
access_time 4 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
When I receive the transfers, I have a clear plan to rebuild my life. Part of the funds will go towards purchasing chickens, as I lost all of mine to the floods. I also aim to buy two cattle. The remaining funds will cover school fees for my children in primary and secondary school. I believe these investments will significantly improve my life in the years ahead.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the past six months, my life has been marked by a mix of joyous and challenging moments. One of the most disheartening events was witnessing my house being demolished by a tree toppled by strong winds. Fortunately, no one was harmed during the incident, but lacking the funds to repair the damage meant enduring its poor condition. However, a significant source of happiness arose when I harvested maize from my farm. With the proceeds, I was able to rebuild my home, providing me with a comfortable shelter away from the cold.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My primary challenge at the moment is ensuring food security. Despite planting maize on my 3-acre farm, all my crops were lost due to flooding in our village. Unfortunately, the land remains waterlogged, preventing me from replanting maize. Consequently, I am compelled to purchase food from shopping centers, which are difficult to reach due to flooded roads and waterways. I earnestly hope that we do not experience another round of flooding, as the destruction has undone all the progress we had previously made.
