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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Our area is ideal for keeping livestock, and not having any animals of my own left me feeling unsettled. I've always seen owning livestock as a way to build wealth, especially since I mainly earn a living as a casual laborer on other people's farms. When I received my first payment, I spent $106 on two sheep and two chickens, which I am now raising. I see them as valuable assets that I can sell for money in case of financial needs because they can multiply. I also needed some nice seating for my home, so I bought two plastic chairs for $6, which has made a big difference in my household. Now, my family and visitors have comfortable chairs. I bought food and new clothes for my family with the remaining money. Despite my financial challenges, I am grateful that my family has enough food to eat. We are now able to have three meals a day without much difficulty. If I had to rely solely on my income to provide for my family, we would likely be skipping meals. I am thankful that the payment has lifted this burden, and even if I fail to find work, my family will not go hungry.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I used to go without food for days because I couldn't afford to buy enough foodstuffs. I work on other people's farms as a casual labourer, but the work is sometimes unreliable. My husband provides taxi services with his motorcycle, but it's also not enough to support our family. Since receiving financial assistance, we no longer have to worry about food shortages. We were able to buy enough food to last us for several weeks. Now, I can save some of the money I earn from my farm work for the future. We also didn't have any livestock, but now we have two sheep and two chickens, which we hope will multiply and provide extra income.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My husband was using my phone at his workplace that evening. I had also gone to work on other people's farms for a living. When I was done with the job and feeling exhausted, I went back home. On meeting him, he couldn't hide his joy as we exchanged greetings. When I asked him what was making him happy, he showed me the message indicating that the first transfer had been sent. I felt happy to receive the transfer at such a moment when getting food was a challenge for us.
Enrolled
access_time 6 months ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Living in a hut with a single room has been the biggest challenge for me and my family. I have a family of 3 and the space is so small that cannot hold household items let alone the sleeping area. I am forced to leave some items outside and set cooking arrangement in an open place outside the house. When visitors come, they have nowhere to sleep and as a result, I am compelled to hustle for them a place to rest in the neighborhood. This does not bond well with us as we feel we are unable to protect our privacy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In December last year, I had no capital to cater for all the farming requirements and as a result, I had to skip some activities like ploughing, weeding and using certified maize seeds. I am happy to say that even after all these challenges, I got a bumper harvest of maize that up to now, we are still using with my family as food.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I intend to construct a spacious iron roofed house that will cost around $600. This will provide us with enough space to finally have a separate sleeping area, sitting room and an outside kitchen. This will give us the privacy that we have been yearning for. I also plan to buy 5 goats at cost of $250 for multiplication and as a source of income in the event an emergency arises. Finally, I will use the remaining amount of the transfer to expand my farm and introduce other new crops that are drought resistant.
