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 overwhelmed with joy after receiving the transfers because I had never received such as huge amount of money before. Besides, the money was unconditional and this means I would accomplish all my heart desires.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having have completed my house has made my daily life to be totally different. This is because previously in a small temporary house which was very small it could not accommodate all my family members. I have been yearning to have my own decent house for years but due to financial difficulties, these dreams never came true. The previous has some leaking roof and during the rainy seasons, I never had peace. Also, the walls had some holes all over. During the nights the breezes could easily penetrate and this affected our health because my children developed some chest problems as a result of the cold. Therefore after receiving the transfers, I managed to complete the new house which I had started constructing some months back. All I can say is that we are now living happily with my family and I no longer worry about the rains nor our health problems.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as iron sheets, nails, timber, building poles, and threads. This was for the completion of my new house which I had started constructing some months back but then I was forced to stop because of insufficient funds. I then bought some livestock such as seven goats as my living assets that I can lean on in case of any financial crisis. In addition, I bought a bicycle that would help me especially in fetching water from the dam since its very far from the village. I also hired someone to prepare my farm because it was the planting season. The remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My longing has been to buy a motorbike for business but this ambition has never materialized. Receiving this money means fulfilling my long time desire since I am planning to spend $1000 for purchasing the motorbike. This will be a good source of income to me and my family because in a day I can earn even $10 and this is enough to cater to my family's daily needs like food. Approximately in a day, my family spends at least $6, this means that I will be remaining with $4 for saving. These savings will help me educate my children who are still in Nursery school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening. It is at this time when I thank God for protecting me the whole day and I usually find myself having more time to rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship in life has been lack of social support from my wives due to financial challenges. I have been suffering from severe headaches and tooth problems for almost ten years now but because I have no money to enable me seeking further medication from referral hospitals, this problem still exist in me. With my poor status, my two wives divorced me because I could not even provide for their needs, leaving behind 3 children under my care.
