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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
297300 MWK ($364 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
All i ever wanted was a good house and i have managed to achieve that. However the dream is not complete yet because the transfers was not enough to complete building the house. Am remaining with windows/glasses as well as to have the house plastered. Am short of funds now
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
There is nothing i can say in regards to what GD is not doing well. The transfers from GD are changing peoples lives; my life has changed for the better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have bought a piece of land, about two and half acres worth about 200, 000 kwacha. Now am free from paying rent to farm and all the stresses that comes from looking for a better farmland to rent. I also bought construction wood (10) at 4500 kwacha each as well as pay the builders 20000 kwacha.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
307200 MWK ($376 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy when I saw the transfer. I did not waste time at all, I just cleaned myself and went to town to collect money the same day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life has been about feeding my family. I always struggle when it comes to providing food. Ever since I started receiving the transfer, it feels like a heavy load has been taken off my shoulders. I am thankful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I did not have food in my house, I have therefore bought 10 bags of maize for food. I also want to build a proper house since i don't own one, as such I have bought Iron in preparation for the housing project. I did not have enough farming materials, I have bought hoes, slashers and panga's , and i have also rented a piece of land for farming so that I can yield more harvest this farming season..
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
This money will assist us in may ways than you can imagine.
Imagine for the past 10 years I have lived here, my highest income in a month has never gone above MWK15,000 kwacha. This is so as we usually depend on selling firewood from the depleted forest nearby. We do this as a supplement after harvesting maize.
Even the harvest is never enough due to fertilizer.
I believe this money will help me and my husband to seek out other opportunities to make an income. We shall make sure we buy enough food as maize is about to be scarce these coming months. My husband will also buy a bicycle to be used as a taxi business as the one we have is for carrying firewood.
We shall also make sure to improve the outlook of the house to make it a bit bigger and comfortable with iron sheets. The kids too deserve some money for clothes and school fees. Lastly,I am very excited and happy to be included in this project as the is something I never expected.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In a village like this, we all live one day at a time. We never worry about tomorrow because we struggle to find everyday food. Hence each time my husband comes home in the evening from making a sale of firewood, my face brightens up knowing we are going to eat that day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The mountain you are seeing nearby is no longer attractive due to heavy cutting down of trees for charcoal burning and firewood.
Since we are running out of opportunities to make money and that is the only way, the scarcity of trees means no firewood to be available for sale. In the end, no proper means of making money are available which contributes to never ending hunger within our household.
