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 at the nearby water booth where I had gone to fetch water for the family. I received two consecutive message alerts on my phone and immediately I had to return to our house which is just adjacent to the water station. I called my son who confirmed the message and informed me that I had received the transfers from Givedirectly. Joy filled my heart when I learned about the receipt of the transfer because I was sure that the kids who had been sent home for school fees will be able to resume their studies.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being able to support the educational needs of my kids is the biggest difference in my daily life. Seeing them attending classes and continuing with their education without being interrupted is something that I am grateful for. In addition, I enjoy peace of mind when they are learning like other kids. I am positive that they will complete their studies and improve our living standards once they secure jobs. Furthermore, they are sleeping in a decent house unlike before making it easy to have their evening studies.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $240 of the most recent transfer to construct a decent house for my grown-up boy who is in form 3 at a day secondary school. Earlier, he was living in a small leaking house. This was affecting his studies since he was spending sleepless nights due to the leaking roofs something that was making his night studies very difficult. In addition, I used $100 to purchase a modern bed and mattress for him since he was sleeping on the floor with old rags as bedding. He constantly complained of body pains every morning that was affecting his concentration in school. Furthermore, I used $160 to support the education of my 2 big boys who are in secondary school by clearing their fee arrears. Currently, I am happy that they are learning without missing classes unlike before. With the remaining amount, I bought sufficient food due to the famine that we had been experiencing for more than a year now.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Upon receiving this cash transfer, I intend to build an independent house for 4 teenage children, 3 sons and 1 daughter. It will be a 3 bedroom house where boys will sleep seperate from girls and leave a seperate one for any visitors that we may need to host.
Currently they are sharing sleeping places with my neighbors and I feel it's very embarrassing,and I want them to feel the goodness in life.
My next dream that I will want to achieve is to buy some few goats and cows, that we can rear and be able to resell them at a profit during hard times. This will help me pay fees for my children, without a lot of struggles.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the drought around I have struggled to take care of my single goat, who was almost dying due to drought and luckily she gave birth to a healthy kid and so this makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as charcoal burner, and I chop wood for sell and I have worked for 2 years now, and I can say my health has really deteriorated, it's working under the scotching sun for better part of the day, imagine not being to eat well and still work without rest.
The doctor said I have developed anaemia which is caused by lack of enough blood in the body. I don't have enough money for medication, and cannot afford to good Vegetables to take as supplements.
