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 felt so much happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. This was because I had a lot lined up that I needed to do but I did not have enough money to accomplish this. I was with a close friend of mine at the time that I received money from GiveDirectly and he was quick to realize that there was some money in his account and he even asked me if I had received mine. I quickly checked and confirmed that I had indeed received a sum of $550 from GiveDirectly. I called my husband who was not there with me and he was equally so much happy to hear this news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life ever since I started receiving GiveDirectly is the house that I have been able to build. I never imagined that I will build this house soon since I normally depend on odd casual jobs. It is GiveDirectly transfers thag I darer to dream.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the entire transfer of $550 to build a two room house that is mud walled. Before receiving the transfer, my children and I were staying in a very small single house that did not give us the much needed comfort. With the casual work that I normally engage in, the money was hardly enough to enable is male ends meet and hence we could not raise enough money yet. I was also supporting my children single handedly and this made things harder for me. mto build a two roomed house that is mud walled..
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I desire to invest in livestock and poultry farming. Since I can not depend on farming, raising livestock is my second option. I will buy about three goats at $30 each and construct a chicken coop. With this investment, I will be able to support my children's education and possibly see them through college.
The other project I want to capitalize on is putting up a water point for myself. I will need about $150 to tap the water from my neighbors. All I picture when I look at my unused land is a vegetable garden, with different types of vegetables for commercial and subsistence use.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My children are my inspiration, they are my joy and pride. Every morning the two of them wake up, the first thing they do is storm into my room just to check on me. I recently fell sick and the care they gave me warmed my heart. They nursed me until I was able to get back on my fight. I always look forward to spending time with them
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Money, money, money, I do not know how to say it louder but am constrained financially. My husband, Laban was laid off two years ago after Covid -19 struck and he has never been able to get back on his feet. I had to take up casual work in a cafe as a waitress where I earn $1.5 a day. This amount is not enough to cater to our daily needs, let alone support my two children through school. These days I even struggle to buy a bag of sugar which is depressing.
