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 biggest difference in your daily life.
My daily life is different from how it was before in that I am now a proud owner of a dairy cow. When it reproduces, my family will be getting milk for their consumption and I will also sell some to earn an income. I will be using this income to pay for my children's education. Also, I have been able to start buying some building materials. My family will soon be living comfortably in a spacious house when I will have finished building it. Also, we as parents will be enjoying our privacy at any time.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes to 4 am when I received a message alert on my phone. On checking to know its content, I became so happy as I realized that GiveDirectly had finally sent us the promised money. It was my first time to receive such a large amount of money in my entire life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of my first transfer to buy a dairy cow. Buying milk has been my daily routine, and as a way of reducing my daily expenditure, I settled on buying it. I had thought of buying a cow but couldn't due to limited resources. I am happy that I will no longer spend on milk very soon as I will have enough for my household use and sales. I spent some amount on farming and to buy two sacks of maize flour for my household consumption. Also, I bought timber and iron sheets to use in building a house for my family. We lived in a one-room house and it is becoming uncomfortable for my growing family. I am planning to use my second transfer to start the construction work.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help me build another house to serve the purpose of a kitchen.I have only one house with two rooms which serves all the purposes.I will then buy a dairy cow which will provide me with milk for consumption and for sale.I have one cow which I borrowed from a relative.The money will also help me buy food and other basic needs which has been a challenge to get.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After I prepare breakfast for my children,I go the farm immediately they leave for school.Currently I have grown beans in my farm.I come back at noon to prepare lunch for my children.I the afternoon I go and work in other people's farm whenever I get some work to do.Otherwise I just relax around my compound waiting for sunset.The happiest part of my day is in the evening.This is when I am done with the day's activities which means I can relax peacefully.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my wife two years ago.She fell ill and succumbed to kidney failure.From then life has not been the same.She left me with six children.The youngest is eight years old and the eldest is around 18 years of age.My mother had to take care of three of the small children while I remained with the other three.I act the role of a mother to ensure that they are well fed.I feel stressed and lonely since we helped each other feed the family and she was a good companion too.I no longer have someone to share my troubles with and encourage each other when things get tough.I am a casual labourer and feeding my children has been a real struggle worse than when my wife was still alive.This is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.I hope to become strong and fight just to get the best for my children.
