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.
When the floods hit my village one month ago, part of my house was washed away. My house is mud-walled, and it could not sustain the force of the floods. I have been wishing to construct an iron-walled house, but finances have not allowed me to do so. As a family of five, we depend on charcoal burning, casual jobs, and farming to earn a living, but all the income goes towards food and loan repayment. When I receive my transfers, I plan to spend $500 on constructing a one-room house for my family. You see, even amidst future floods, an iron-sheet house can withstand more than a mud-walled one. I will be excited that my family will have a comfortable and safer space to live in. This will bring us peace of mind and stability, knowing that we are better prepared for any potential future disasters.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It is the hope of every farmer to see their produce flourish amidst unpredictable climatic changes. In October 2023, I sowed maize on my 1-acre piece of land and was delighted to harvest 15 bags in January 2024, a significant improvement from the previous season's yield of only 8 bags. As a single mother of four, I consider this a great achievement. The family's financial status was boosted, and we now have enough food to last until the next harvest season. This success has brought immense relief and joy, providing stability and security for my children and me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The flash floods that hit my village in April 2024 affected most of our livelihoods. As a family of five, we depend on casual jobs, farming, and charcoal burning to earn a living. Before the floods, life here was easier as we could secure food through these livelihoods. I am afraid that the damage caused by the floods cannot be fully measured. Now, we solely depend on charcoal burning, which, due to scarcity, earns us only $10 a week. This income is entirely spent on food, leaving us without surplus funds to purchase fuel for our farms. Since the floods, I have been unable to irrigate my 1-acre maize farm due to a lack of finances. This situation is incredibly disheartening, as the once stable sources of income and sustenance for my family have been severely disrupted, and we are struggling to regain our footing.
