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 moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the transfer notification at around 6 am and when I read the contents, I realised that it was the message that I have been anxiously waiting for. I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt happy because I was now in a position to build a house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to build a decent iron roofed house through this transfer. For sure, this has changed my life because I have not been able to build another house after it collapsed many years back. I had just constructed a small structure of old iron sheets and grasses which was just temporary. I would be forced to seek shelter from my neighbours whenever it rained. I am now at peace having a good house to live in.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my first transfer on buying building materials that include 24 pieces of iron sheets, timber and building poles for the construction of a decent house since I did not have one. I have been living in a small structure, built with some old iron sheets and grasses and I was not at peace at all. I am happy that the coming of GiveDirectly has given me this opportunity to build the new house. I also hired labourers and the services of oxen to plough and to work on my farm. I am spending the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs and other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I can finally own a home. My house was destroyed by heavy rains last year forcing me to spend many cold nights in a very poor shade yet I had been diagnosed with chronic tuberculosis. I plan to spend the first transfer on building a new house while the second will go into rearing livestock that will serve as financial security for the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening around 5pm when the sun is almost setting. This is the time I take walks to visit friends after staying at home all day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is my ill health. In November 2018 I was diagnosed with chronic tuberculosis which totally immobilized me. I could no longer work as I was on complete bed rest. I have spent a lot of money to get treatment which has landed me in debt too. Even my house fell as a result of heavy rainfall but I could not rebuild and have been forced to sleep in a shade for the past 4 months. Though my condition has significantly improved, am still on medicine and have not resumed work.
