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 at a burial in a neighboring village when I received the text message confirming that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. I felt an overwhelming sense of joy, but I couldn’t express it, knowing I was surrounded by mourners in such a sad moment. I kept the news to myself, but all I could think about was fulfilling my plans, especially buying a mattress and a bed for myself.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
To earn a living, I mainly rely on motorcycle riding, which can be really tedious. All I wanted was a good rest to recharge for the next day, but that felt impossible with my worn-out mattress; I could literally feel the board beneath me. With my limited income, I had to prioritize basic needs like food, making it seem impossible to buy a new mattress. The irritating creaks and sounds from my old bed kept me awake at night whenever I moved, but everything changed when I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I finally had the chance to purchase a bed and mattress, and since then, I no longer experience back pain or struggle to sleep; I wake up refreshed and ready for the day without waking up in discomfort. Thank you, GiveDirectly!
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Sleeping on an old mattress constantly caused me back pain, making it hard for me to get a good night’s sleep. My bed was so worn out that I couldn’t turn comfortably without hearing it creak. I had long wished to buy a new one, but my income from motorcycle riding was limited, which made it almost impossible to afford. When I received my first cash transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to invest in a new mattress and bed, costing $140, and let me tell you, I sleep so well now! After a long day of riding, the comfort of my new mattress helps me rest well. In addition to my motorcycle work, I do some small-scale farming in my kitchen garden, where I have planted green grams. The money was indeed timely because my crops were at the weeding stage and required pesticide and herbicide sprays. I spent $33 on these to ensure my crops stay healthy. I also spent $20 on new clothes since mine were worn out, and I didn’t have anything nice to wear on special occasions. Recently, a tree fell and blocked the path leading to my house, so I spent the remaining $7 to cut it down and clear the road, making it accessible again.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I am planning to buy chain links to fence my compound, protecting it from livestock browsing. Additionally, I plan to invest in agricultural farming by using some of my transfers to buy farm inputs and water pipes. I will use the remaining money to renovate the bathroom and toilet for my family, as they are very old and I am worried they might collapse anytime.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am very happy because my vegetables are doing well and I will be harvesting tomorrow. This will make me a lot of money despite the destruction caused by livestock.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a proper fence is a major challenge I’m facing because livestock tend to invade my farm, eating and destroying my vegetables. This forces me to stay home to watch over them, because iam not able to afford to buy chain links to fence my compound due to financial constraints.
