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 on the farm alongside my wife when I received a message from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received $180. I felt a wave of happiness and relief wash over me, especially since I had just been displaced by floods. So much was going on in my mind, but my first thought was to buy building materials. This money could help us rebuild and find some stability amid the chaos.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my life has been my ability to recover from the shock of the floods. Before the transfers, I was displaced with no house, no household items, and no food. This situation was overwhelming.
With the support I received, I could address these urgent issues. I purchased some construction materials to begin rebuilding my home, which is essential for my family’s safety. I also bought household items that we needed to live comfortably. Having utensils and furniture again has made a significant difference in our daily lives.
Most importantly, I used part of the money to buy food for my family. Even though we had no harvest, I can now provide meals to enjoy together. This support has truly changed my life and helped me feel more secure and hopeful for the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I felt deeply grateful to God. This money was a chance for me to rebuild my life, especially after being displaced by floods. I used $50 to buy iron sheets, and I am planning to add more with future transfers to construct a house. Currently, my family is living in a temporary makeshift shelter, which puts us at risk of floods and diseases. I have a two-year-old child, and this motivates me to use the money wisely to ensure their safety and well-being.
With $98, I purchased household items, including utensils, a table, plastic chairs, and a mattress. These items helped me recover from the floods, as all my previous belongings were swept away by the rushing waters. Now, I have essential items that make our daily life easier.
Finally, I spent $32 on food for my family. This was crucial because I had no harvest due to the floods and no job to earn money for food. I am incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has made a significant difference in our lives.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
To move my family out of the tent structure , I will allocate funds towards constructing a house and purchasing household furniture and kitchen items, ensuring comfort for everyone.
Addressing our daily struggle with food, I will ensure a consistent food supply for my family through investing part of the funds in agricultural and livestock farming by leasing an acre of land for crop production. Goats will be acquired to provide milk and generate income from future sales of offspring, establishing a sustainable income source for our family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being hosted by a relative of his home for an extended period hasn't been ideal for my family. However, during the floods, we received a donated tent that allowed us to move out and live independently. This change brought us more privacy and happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Living in a tent with my family of three is distressing. Recently, we were severely affected by floods that washed away our makeshift shelter. I don't have the means to build a proper house for my family. Additionally, the floods destroyed our one-acre maize farm, leaving us without any source of livelihood. I can't afford to rent land for farming either. As a result, we are now relying on insufficient income from charcoal burning and occasional manual labor to support ourselves.
