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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the first transfer to buy a dairy cow for rearing. I have always wanted to have my own cow but finances has always been a challenge because most of of what I make in a day goes into the household daily needs. This was until I received the transfers from GiveDirectly. I also bought some food and other household items such as clothes for my children. I used the rest to pay my children's school fees.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the fact that I now have my own cow. I have always wanted my own dairy cow for rearing but owing to the fact that I am the sole provider of my house, almost all my income would go into food and other basic household needs. I am also glad that I no longer overwork myself. Since I depended on casual jobs in order to meet all my family's needs, I really had to work hard and this really took a toll on me to a point where I was too tired to even work on my own farm. Things have now changed since I work on my farm and go out once I am done with it.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was just waking up when I received a message notification. On checking and realizing that it was a message notifying me that I had received from GiveDirectly, I was so happy and gave thanks to God and immediately knew that my dreams of owning my own cow would finally come true.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When my husband died eight years ago, he left behind five children under my care. This has been an uphill task raising them as a widow. I sold all my livestock to take them to school and now I have nothing left thus lack of a source of income. With this trend I am afraid I may part with a piece of land to settle my children's fees when they join secondary school in a few years.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a casual labourer harvesting millet and sorghum in a plantation about 6km away. The happiest part of my day is in the evening, especially at the end of the week after being paid my dues. This means I can afford better balanced diet for my children. This makes them exited which makes me happy and fulfilled.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
A few years ago I sold my cows to take my children to school. Receiving this money is an opportunity to reclaim ama dairy cow to improve my children's nutrition and sale of surplus milk to sustain their education.
