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 received the money while I was still asleep, early in the morning. It was the greatest day of my life and I thanked God for making this happen to me. I knew that my poor condition will change because I could end the water shortage issue.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is having water store in my compound. I current store rain water for drinking and other domestic uses that need clean water. I have stopped the many trips I used to make to a community water pond far from the village. I am comfortable since the rain water can last me until the next rain season. I will never have to collect dirty water again.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money I received on buying a plastic water tank. We usually face perennial water shortage due to droughts in my location. I bought a 3000 liter capacity tank. I then used part of the money to complete a farm structure for keeping goats. I finally bought furniture and foodstuffs for the household.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Our intention has always to own a dairy cow. We normally buy one litre of milk daily for domestic use from our neighbors at 0.5 USD per litre which we find it costly. My husband is a casual laborer who gets an income of around 2 USD a day and I am only a housewife. Considering the fact that we need to cater for the family's needs from what my husband earn, we find it almost impossible to have a saving. Therefore, we are planning to buy a dairy cow of around 300 USD and use the remaining cash from our first transfer to complete a house which has stalled for some time now.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have two young children; one of 2 years and the other one is only one month old. Considering the fact that I have a young family, I spend almost the entire day looking after them. The happiest part of my day is in the evening after my kids have gone sleep. That is the time I am free and feel relaxed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we have faced in life is lack of funds to buy a dairy cow to supplement what my husband gets as income. My husband is casual labourer (a tractor driver) in nearby village and earns meagre income of approximately 2 USD a day thus saving the little cash has been a big challenge. Our intention is to buy a dairy cow and milk in order to sustain our family.
