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 was at a burial in a nearby village when I heard a notification sound on my phone. I checked it and felt so happy to see that it was the GiveDirectly transfer! I was really glad and I could not wait to get home to share the news with my wife. I then knew that I could pay off some debts I had and also cover the school fees for my three children.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Paying school fees had become hard for me because usually I depend on farm produce because I had 3 acres of maize on the farm that was swept by the floods. My children had arrears and they were about to be sent home to collect fees. After I received the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, my life changed a lot. Paying school fees had become hard for me because I usually depend on my farm produce. But this year was tough because my 3 acres of maize were swept away by the floods. I was worried because my children had school fees arrears, and they were about to be sent home to collect fees. Thanks to the transfers from GiveDirectly, I managed to pay all the arrears. I no longer have any fees to worry about, and my children could stay in school without the fear of being sent home. It feels so good to see them studying without that stress. I am grateful for the help I received.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the cash transfer, I used $80 of it to pay the school fees for my three children who attend a nearby academy. I had fallen behind on payments because I couldn’t afford it after the maize and tomatoes we planted were destroyed by floods. We had hoped the harvest would cover the fees, but the floods ruined that plan. I was so relieved to finally clear the arrears. With $20, I was able to pay off a debt I had taken some time ago to cover farming costs. The debt had lingered for a while, and the interest kept going up, making it difficult to repay. It felt good to settle that debt and ease the burden it had placed on me. I used another $40 to buy clothes and shoes for my children. They needed to look presentable, and it gave me great joy to see them well-dressed. The remaining $60 was spent on household food items, which was a relief as it ensured we had enough to eat for a while. The cash transfer helped us cover these essential needs, and I’m grateful for the support.
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What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
To improve my family's livelihood, I plan to invest the transfers by purchasing essential farm inputs like pipes, a water pump, and other necessary supplies to make my farm more productive. This investment aims to ensure a steady source of income and food for us.
Additionally, to address the issue of insufficient living space, I intend to expand our house to comfortably accommodate all family members. Part of the funds will also be allocated to acquiring household items such as utensils, bedding, and clothing, enhancing our overall comfort and well-being.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Experiencing happiness in April was unforgettable when I harvested my bean farm, yielding 6 bags weighing 90 kilograms each. Selling 5 bags brought in USD 50,000, while I kept 1 bag for my family's consumption. This not only provided us with food but also essential funds for other basic needs, bringing me immense joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Living in a single room with my wife and 5 children poses a significant challenge for me. I lack the funds to build a larger house for my family.
Additionally, I own a piece of land that remains idle because I don't have the capital to make it productive. The farm lacks essential infrastructure such as pipes, a water pump, and other necessary inputs. If operational, the farm could have supplied us with food and generated income to meet our other basic needs.
