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 thrilled when I discovered that I had received the initial transfer from GiveDirectly. I was at the nearby shopping center when a friend informed me of the good news, and upon checking my phone, I was pleased to find out that it was true. As I live alone, I had no one to share the news with. However, I had already made plans and decided to collect the money the following morning to start spending it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
After receiving the initial payment from GiveDirectly, the most significant change in my daily life is the ability to invest in my future. Specifically, I was able to purchase a dairy cow, which I hope will provide a steady source of income through the sale of milk and offspring. Furthermore, I was able to afford new clothes, which not only enhance my physical appearance but can also boost my self-confidence and self-assurance.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $250 from the initial GiveDirectly transfer to purchase a dairy cow, even though it's not producing milk currently, with hopes that it will provide a plentiful supply of milk in the future. As the youngest of four siblings and an orphan, I am the current head of the family, since my brothers have all moved on to start their own families. I have been purchasing milk from the neighborhood and casual work has sustained me with a reliable income. I also spent $140 on new clothing to replace my tattered, old ones. Having the ability to dress well now boosts my confidence while interacting with friends who always dress nicely. Additionally, I allocated $28 to buy foodstuff, and saved the remainder to use for daily household necessities.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My mother passed on immediately after she bore me and my father in 2015. I was devastated as I was orphaned at a young age. Being the last born, the absence of my parents made me drop out of school and since then I have been living alone. There is nothing worse than not being able to meet your own needs even when alone. I do hard-earned casual jobs to be able to buy basic needs such as food and clothing. Receiving this transfer means a change in my way of living. I plan on investing in livestock farming since it is favorable here. I shall buy two cows at $600 with the projection of getting ten liters of milk a day in a year. This will cushion my financial independence and also have assets in the future. I am thankful for Give directly will help me lead a better life. For the rest of the transfer ,I will use to pay a dowry for my fiancee and marry her.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Good health is what I am always thankful for. I do not take it for granted when I wake up in the morning healthier. It gives me hope that I will be able to fend for myself and that I will not sleep on a hungry stomach. At the same time, I get the chance to make my life better than the previous days.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When my parents passed on in 2015, I was devastated and dropped out of school. Being the last born, I was left to take care of everything at home. I had to do casual jobs to make ends meet up to date as a result I have been living a very bad life. I stay alone, and this made me frustrated because I do not have any financial support apart from the unpredictable casual jobs.
