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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
297300 MWK ($367 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would like to thank GD for this program. I was stuck but now things are working for my good. The money was really enough to do great things. My day to day life has been simplified because I am able to buy my day to day needs. Food is no longer a problem. I have enough food and I have never gone to bed on an empty stomach as I used to do before the transfer.
My house is also looking very nice. I bought metallic windows, bags of cement for plastering and flow and wooden doors. I am so grateful for this.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I have seen the goodness of GD only. GD is an independent organisation and I have seen that the enrollment process is not influenced by chiefs and any other people in authority. This on the other hand, is very good because the program reaches to real deserving recipients. Issues of corruption and nepotism are delt with.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my second transfer, I managed to buy 8 bags of food. I had no food and sometimes I could sleep on an empty stomach. My children were also ashamed of the poverty and when I received my transfer, I bought them clothes and school uniforms.
I also focused on improving my house. I bought wooden doors and part of the money was used to pay builders. I have saved a certain amount of money so that I can use it on my day to day basic needs.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been living in this village for the past fifteen years with my husband. Both of us have tried establishing small businesses but due to low capital we fail to maintain them. Hence, this money has given us hope to start afresh and decide on how to invest it and use the profits to sustain ourselves in future. We fail to finish the house we started to build as you can see it has no windows and cemented floor. We struggle alot in winter and rainy seasons but we have no choice to go another house. This money also means a warm and comfortable house for us.
I believe my children too will also have their school needs taken care of. I have also been struggling to pay their school fees which is not that much as they learn at government schools but we have hard choices on whether they should eat or go to school hungry. Hence they are always home sometimes due to lack of school fees and other needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a Muslim, I am always happy when I visit the mosque to pray. I am also responsible for teaching the children at the local mosque the Qu'ran hence I am always happy when I attend to them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Despite being close to the lake, we still lack even money to buy proper fish as good relish. This is so as income generating opportunities are scarce therefore the better fish is even bought by well-to-do people leaving us to buy the rejected fish which we never complain.
The biggest hardship is always lack of money to buy the needed food at home. I believe with the coming of this program, we shall be having a balanced diet in the coming months and if our business success then all will be well hopefully.
