What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I live with my 5 children, while my husband, who works as a tailor in another town, frequently visits us. Our current dwelling is a two-roomed house, which proves insufficient for our needs, especially since all the children share one room. As they grow older and desire privacy, this living arrangement becomes increasingly uncomfortable for them. Unfortunately, my husband's earnings are limited, preventing us from constructing an additional room for our children. This situation causes us significant mental distress as we anticipate the need for separate sleeping quarters in the near future. To address this challenge, I allocated $350 to extend an extra room in our house, providing the privacy our children require. This alleviated a considerable burden from our shoulders, allowing us to breathe peacefully and relax our minds. Additionally, I spent $50 to purchase mattresses since they were sleeping on worn-out mats on the floor, which was distressing to witness. Now, our children are delighted to sleep on comfortable mattresses, enjoying restful nights. Furthermore, I used $150 to clear school fees debts for my children accumulated from previous terms and to enable one of my daughters to obtain her certificates and pursue her college education. She is now relieved that she can comfortably explore courses and attend college, having obtained her necessary documents.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am thrilled that my children are now sleeping in separate rooms and enjoying their privacy. Initially, it was difficult because the boys had to leave the room for the girls to dress, and vice versa. Additionally, the outstanding school fees caused me significant distress, leading to my children being sent home frequently and occasionally missing exams. With these balances cleared, my children can attend school without the fear of being sent home. My husband can now focus his earnings on paying current fees and providing us with basic needs, rather than worrying about house extensions. I am grateful that my children are now settled in school, and I pray that the Lord blesses GiveDirectly for rescuing us from many of the problems we were facing.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home taking an afternoon nap with my 5 children around 3pm when a message arrived. Checking my phone, I discovered that GiveDirectly had sent me money. Overwhelmed with joy, I was ecstatic as this was an unprecedented event in my life. Among my 6 children, 5 are in primary school, and one desires to join college in another town. I am currently unemployed, while my husband works as a tailor away from home but frequently visits us. Immediately, I called my husband to share the good news, and he too was delighted, expressing his eagerness to come home over the weekend to celebrate together. We reside in a two-roomed house, which is insufficient for all of us, especially since all the children share one room. This arrangement becomes uncomfortable for them as they grow older and seek privacy. Unfortunately, my husband's limited earnings are inadequate to build an additional room for our children, causing us mental distress as we anticipate the need for separate sleeping quarters for them. My initial idea was to expand our house with an extra room, allowing the boys and girls to sleep separately. This adjustment would afford them the privacy and independence they require for personal activities.