What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Life was really tough before we received assistance from GiveDirectly. My husband and I depended on casual jobs that paid just $2 a day to support our family of seven, including our five daughters. With the help I got, I invested in a 5,000-litre water tank for $330, which was crucial due to the severe water shortages we face. Normally, in the dry season, the river dries up, and I have to walk 2 kilometers to a borehole, the community's main water source. I'd go early in the morning, between 4 and 5 am, to fetch water and avoid the long queues. The cost of hiring a motorbike to transport the water was $2, way beyond our means. Now, I plan to buy 10,000 liters of water for $50 in bulk and share it with a neighbor, cutting the cost to $25 each, which is a big saving for us. Further, I used $50 to add more food items to my small hotel business, which I started with my first transfer from GiveDirectly. At my hotel, I sell food and fresh milk, earning about $15 a day. As I run the hotel, my husband looks after our tomato farm, which we started with my second transfer. To ensure we have enough food, I bought a 90kg bag of maize for $42. With the remaining money, I bought school uniforms for three of my children in primary school for $15 and paid $13 for school fees to the teachers under the Board of Management. This support has truly transformed our lives, making a positive impact and allowing us to afford a living.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What I really appreciate about GiveDirectly is how respectful the officers were during the enrollment. They were respectful and patient they made sure we understood everything clearly. The fact that we received $1100 cash support without having to work for it was exceptional. This is quite different from other NGOs, which usually give smaller amounts that you can't do much with. I hope GiveDirectly continues to help more people because they make a great impact.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming years, I plan to open a posho mill, which is really needed around our village. You see, a posho mill can do well because you can buy maize for about $0.6 per kilogram, make it into flour, and then sell the flour for about $1 per kilogram. The profit margins look promising. We don't have a posho mill in our village, we travel far to find one. This is why I believe opening one within our community will be a great success. Alongside the posho mill, I want to open a small shop to sell food items including fresh milk, and a place to sell groceries. My goal is to offer essential items our neighbors might need so that they don't have to go far to get them. This way, I'll be able to attract all kinds of customers and significantly increase my income.