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?
My memory of the time I learned of my transfer is still remarkably vivid. I was eating the meagre amount I could afford in the afternoon when I unexpectedly heard my phone ring. I can still recall asking my aide to reread the message aloud for me since I was too illiterate to understand what it all meant. When she disclosed that perhaps the funds that had been promised were finally with us, I was overwhelmed with happiness. Since I was confident I could achieve most of my objectives, I was delighted.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money I received from GiveDirectly has greatly impacted us because it empowered me to acquire a dairy cow. I was previously unable to execute this dream because of unstable financial sources. That my child and I can no longer go to bed on an empty stomach makes me happy. We will always be appreciative of the help that made our lives happier.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My primary source of income is farming because that's how I earn my livelihood. I am fortunate to have one child. It overjoyed me when the organization came to our community and assured us that they would give us money without restrictions. This is because I was certain that I would finally be able to fulfil my dreams. I chose to spend $250 of the cash on purchasing a dairy cow to enable me to decrease the cost of milk, where I often pay $0.5 for a litre. This was becoming costly. Secondly, I replaced the ceiling in my home, which required $50, and bought a bed, which was $40. Lastly, I used the remaining money to buy food. All this was not possible before, due to financial constraints. I am lucky to be among the beneficiary of the program that impacted our lives greatly.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My body is weak because of the polio disease that I got when I was young. I cannot do any economic activity like farming due to general body weakness and the only thing to do is to keep dairy cows. Right now I have one and my intention is to add another to make them two. I intend to spend $200 to buy a cow that will produce at least 3-4 liters of milk per day. I will sell this at $ 0.6 per liter to enable me buy maize flour and other household items. Receiving this money will make me buy a cow that will bring financial independence to my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I do not remember the last time I was happy because I have only seen the worst side of this world. I do not get to enjoy life the way other people do because of the polio disease that I got when I was young.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was infected with polio during my childhood days and the effects are still active in my body. I walk in a staggering manner that someone can mistake me for someone who is drunk. I cannot do anything task because my body is weak and it is sad that the condition is not treatable. I have one cow which produces 2 liters of milk daily and this is what keeps me going. I am worried of what I will survive on when the cow will get to it's dry period.
