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?
It was around 9 o'clock, I remember vividly I was in my bed resting because I was not feeling well at that time. I received continuous message alerts on my phone. I had to inform my helper who verified the messages and informed me that I had received the transfer. I was very glad for receiving my transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life is different in that I am able to meet my basic needs more easier that before. In addition, I am optimistic that my life will be much better once I start my goat keeping a reliable source of income for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my recent transfer to purchase different foodstuffs for my family like sugar and maize flour. This is because, for more than two years now, we have not gotten any harvest from our farms. This is as a result of the climate change and drought that had hit our area. Getting food for the family has been a great fight for me since I am less energetic due to my old age. I am planning to spend my next transfer in starting livestock keeping as my alternative source of livelihood.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I would like to buy cattle specifically bulls, ox-drown plough and a couple of goats to rare. This will help me in various ways like goats can be a store of wealth as I can sell them at any time if need be. For bulls and plough, they're are used a lot in the village for tilling farm land. Currently I'm using traditional hoes, but I believe incorporating these will increase my production hence food security.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My life is already hard enough given that I'm not able to practice farming anymore as a result of these harsh conditions caused by draught. I have been surviving mostly with the financial support I do get from my daughter married in the next village. Whenever it comes through, I'm normally very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a lot of problems stemming from this prolonged draught that has stretched from last year throughout this year. It's already tough enough that even getting two meals a day isn't easy. I used to basically depend on subsistence farming but that isn't an option right now because of the same extreme weather conditions that rendered farming impossible.
