GDLive Newsfeed
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.
Dama's family
access_time 4 days ago
Dama received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"With my children in school, my greatest priority has always been to support their education. I firmly believe that education is the key to a better future, and I am committed to ensuring that they continue learning without interruption. My plan for the coming year and beyond is to keep using a portion of my transfers to pay their school fees, giving them the opportunity to complete their studies and build brighter futures for themselves. In addition to supporting their education, I also run a small charcoal-buying and selling business. While it provides some income, I know that expanding it would allow me to earn more and better sustain my family. To achieve this, I intend to continue saving a portion of my transfers in our merry-go-round group so that once it is my turn to receive the pooled funds, I will be able to invest in growing my business. Beyond expanding my business, I also have a strong desire to grow my livestock. I already have a few goats, but I intend to use part of the pooled funds to buy more, increasing my livestock holdings over time. My hope is that both my business and my livestock will grow in value so that in the future, I will have something stable to rely on, especially when this program eventually comes to an end. This opportunity has brought me hope, and I remain determined to make the most of it for the sake of my children and our future."
Dama's family
access_time 9 days ago
Dama received a $27 thirty-second payment.
"My husband is jobless and I am the sole breadwinner. With four children in school, my top priority is to ensure that my children continue with their education. For this coming year and beyond, my intention is to secure my children's education. To make this possible, I plan to use a portion of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly to pay their school fees, so they do not face the risk of being sent home. In addition to securing their education, I also want to ensure a stable future for my family. I have decided to buy goats because I believe they are more affordable to purchase and manage compared to other animals, like cows. To make this dream a reality, I intend to gradually save a portion of my transfers. Once I have saved enough, I will use the savings to buy the goats. My goal is for these goats to multiply in both number and value, so that, in the future, I can rely on them to support my family, especially when this program eventually comes to an end. I remain hopeful for a better future, and I am deeply thankful to GiveDirectly for making this possible."
Pius's family
access_time 16 days ago
Pius received a $347 second payment.
"What GiveDirectly did well is that they ensured the money came directly to individuals, which made the process simple and efficient. I also appreciated how the officers attended to us effectively, answering our questions and guiding us throughout the program. However, one thing I did not like is that some people in our community were left out of the program without any clear explanation. It caused confusion and disappointment for those who were not enrolled, as they didn’t understand why they were excluded. Furthermore, it would have been better if GiveDirectly provided more transparency about the selection criteria to avoid misunderstandings. Overall, while they did many things well, improving communication about eligibility would make the process even better."
Sylvia's family
access_time 17 days ago
Sylvia received a $348 second payment.
""When I received the $450 transfer, I decided to construct a permanent shop made of bricks for my food business. My previous shop was made of iron sheets, and the direct sun made it unbearable, especially for my perishable goods. The heat affected my stock, causing losses, and I knew I needed a better solution. With this money, I built a three-room shop that not only protects my goods from extreme weather but also provides enough space to expand my business. Now, I can store my stock safely and sell comfortably without worrying about the scorching sun. Life was difficult before I received this transfer. My husband, who is an engineer, and I have always supported each other, but things were still tough. Every evening, I had to transport my goods back home because the shop had no proper security. It was exhausting, and I constantly feared losing my stock to thieves. There were many theft cases in the area, and I knew my business couldn’t grow under such conditions. With this new shop, I now feel secure, and I no longer have to move my goods daily. My customers also trust me more since they know they can always find fresh supplies. My family of six now enjoys a more stable income, and I can plan for the future without constant worry. This transfer truly transformed my business and improved our lives significantly.""
Kavumbi's family
access_time 17 days ago
Kavumbi received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"Through GiveDirectly, I was able to acquire three cows, and I am beyond happy that my dream of owning livestock is slowly becoming a reality. This support has meant so much to me, and it has brought me closer to my long-term goals. Currently, my house is old, and I have always dreamed of having a new one. For the coming year, I plan to save a portion of my transfers by joining a merry-go-round group. Once I receive the pooled funds, I intend to use them to buy building materials for my housing project. I plan to continue saving and contributing to this group until I have enough to fully construct my house. Achieving this would bring me so much joy and relief. In addition, with my daughter in school, I am determined to use another portion of my transfers to continue paying her school fees. I want to ensure she receives the education she desires and deserves, and I am committed to supporting her through this. I am deeply grateful for this support. It is helping me to move closer to my dreams, and I am thankful for the opportunity to build a better future for myself and my family."
Kahaso's family
access_time 17 days ago
Kahaso received a $27 thirty-sixth payment.
"My dream has always been to become a livestock farmer so that I can have something to rely on in the future, especially when this program comes to an end. Right now, we are facing severe hunger because we did not harvest anything last year due to the lack of rain. It has been a difficult time for us. For the coming year and beyond, I plan to use part of my transfers to buy food for my family to ensure that we do not starve. With the other portion of the transfers from GiveDirectly, I intend to purchase goats gradually. I hope that these goats will multiply in both number and value so that in the future, I will have something stable to rely on, particularly when this program concludes. I am deeply grateful for the support I have received. It is helping me take the first steps toward realizing my dream, and it is a relief to know that I have this opportunity to build a more secure future."
Kache's family
access_time 22 days ago
Kache received a $27 thirty-first payment.
"The roof of my house was destroyed by very strong winds, and so I embarked on a journey to repair it. It required ten iron sheets for the restoration. Through the generous support from GiveDirectly, I have been able to purchase six iron sheets, left with a balance of four. Therefore, my plan for this year is to allocate a portion of my future transfers from GiveDirectly to gradually acquire these remaining sheets and complete the repairs. Achieving this will bring immense relief, as I will no longer have to worry about my home. Thereafter, I am looking toward the future with aspirations to invest in livestock. Currently, I own five goats, and I aim to expand this number. To achieve this, I intend to invest a portion of my upcoming transfers to purchasing additional goats, I hope to see my herd grow both in number and value. This investment is not just about increasing assets; it is a strategic move to establish a sustainable means of supporting my family, especially when the GiveDirectly program concludes. I am profoundly grateful for the assistance provided by GiveDirectly. Their support has not only enabled me to address immediate challenges but has also empowered me to plan for a more secure and prosperous future for my family."
Kachana's family
access_time 22 days ago
Kachana received a $27 thirty-third payment.
"As a parent, my main objective is to provide my family with a comfortable life. With the transfers I have been receiving from GiveDirectly, I am certain that we are being elevated to a better place compared to where we were before. I have already used some of my previous transfers to purchase chickens and goats, and I feel a sense of pride and happiness as I watch them multiply. Looking ahead to this coming year and beyond, my plan is to save a portion of my transfers and use them to buy several young goats at a lower price. My goal is to raise these goats until they reach maturity so that they can reproduce, multiplying both in number and value. This will allow me to eventually sell some of them at the market and use the proceeds to further support my family and my childrens' education. I know this journey will take time, but I am eager to embrace it. I am deeply grateful that GiveDirectly is supporting me on this path toward achieving my dream of livestock farming, something I have always wanted to pursue."
Zipporah's family
access_time 29 days ago
Zipporah received a $350 second payment.
"Since I own a fish business, I would like to expand it and invest in a women’s merry-go-round. I believe this investment could help me grow my network and secure financial support for further investments in my business. Additionally, I want to plant grass during the rainy season to feed my goats, and any extra grass can be sold as well. These plans are part of my goal to secure a better future for my family, and I am working hard to make them a reality."
Kahaso's family
access_time 1 month ago
Kahaso received a $411 second payment.
"My goal for the coming year and beyond is to grow my business. In the past, I relied heavily on farming, but due to the harsh climate, it is no longer a dependable source of income. By expanding my business, I will be able to earn a steady income and take care of my needs. This will give me financial independence, so I won’t have to rely on my children for support as I did before."