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 in the bush sawing planks when I received a message from Givedirectly with details of L$40375. I was so happy that morning; it was a different day in my life; I was overlyexcited. I continued my work with smile on my face and I couldn't wait for the next day to withdraw my money to kickstart the plans I had in my head.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Givedirectly has made me happy, I am about to be a house owner. That alone is too much joy for me. People will respect me after this program and I will be able to have a good face in the community.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used part of my transfer to buy three bundles of zinc along with planks and then packs of nails to build myself a house. I do not have my own house, I am squatting in my uncle's house. I kept US$100 to pay the man who agreed to build my house.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
"I will open a tea shop business in the community when I receive the transfer. The only tea shop we had in our community got broken down few years ago,and the owner relocated to Monrovia, and since then, no one has ever started one. Opening such business will give me more profits to save money to be able to build a house and get a wife to marry, because no one is doing that business in the town right now. The community people go in nearby towns to drink tea, opening the shop here will stop them from walking far distances just to drink tea,and it will make the community lively because people will come from nearby towns to sit at the shop to drink tea".
What is the happiest part of your day?
"what really brought Joy to my life was July 31 when my boss gave me $ 5000 to put in my pocket. I was broke the entire week before July 31, I didn't know where to turn to get money. I was surprised when my boss gave me $5000 and said it was not part of my salary but a gift. He's someone who has never given me free money except I work for it,so that day I was really happy,and I used that money to buy food and other things for my house".
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
"The challenge I'm facing currently is not having a wife in my home. Every time I come home from work,no one to cook for me or wash my clothes or talk with me. Sometimes I have to pay people to wash and cook for me because I can be tired to do it, especially after work, and it bothers me. Most times I feel lonely and want someone around to talk with. I have had girlfriends in the past,and because I don't have money,they left me. When I get a wife she will be the one to cook for me and wash my clothes and I won't feel lonely. I also want to have money before getting a wife,so that she won't feel insecure and leave me like the others did, because of no money to support her".
