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.
Happy Holidays!
GDLive updates will be slower while GiveDirectly's Africa offices are closed over the holidays.
Agnes's family
access_time 4 days ago
Agnes received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"In the coming year and beyond, I have two key projects I am determined to establish. First, I aim to open my own hotel business to generate a stable income that will support my children and family. To work toward this goal, I joined a merry-go-round group where I save $20 each month, with the expectation that by December, it will be my turn to receive my savings. I currently live in Mombasa after separating from my spouse, and I moved here seeking employment. I am now working at a hotel, though this is a temporary job while I focus on gaining skills and saving money to eventually own my own business and build my own home as well. Second, my plan for the upcoming year is to purchase land and build a home for my two children. At the moment, I reside in my parents' house, but I feel it’s crucial to have our own space for the well-being of my sons. Having our own home is vital for their stability and growth, and it’s a dream I’ve held for a long time. I am determined to make it a reality, no matter the obstacles I may face."
Karisa's family
access_time 4 days ago
Karisa received a $27 twenty-fourth payment.
"My goal for the coming year and beyond is to join college and study nursing. Once I clear the remaining $40 debt and obtain my certificates, I plan to save diligently to pay my college tuition. By continuing to participate in the savings group, I hope to make this dream a reality. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support, which has played a significant role in helping me clear my school debt and take important steps toward achieving my dream of furthering my education."
Irene's family
access_time 4 days ago
Irene received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"I have faced many challenges in life due to my lack of education. Without a proper education, finding a well-paying job has been nearly impossible. However, I am determined to change the trajectory of my children’s lives by providing them with the best education possible. My primary goal for the coming year is to ensure that my children continue their education without any interruptions. To achieve this, I plan to save a significant portion of the transfers in a savings group. This will not only help me accumulate funds but also give me access to a loan that I can use to pay their school fees. I will then repay the loan in manageable installments. I am deeply grateful for the financial support, which is empowering me to work toward this important goal and secure a brighter future for my children."
Kadzo's family
access_time 4 days ago
Kadzo received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"My primary goal for next year is to ensure that my children continue their education without any interruptions. To achieve this, I am committed to saving more money through the savings group I joined. This will enable me to accumulate enough funds to pay their school fees. Additionally, the savings group offers the option of taking a loan, which could provide the extra support needed to keep my children in school consistently. I also have a long-term plan to purchase land and build a house for my family. With my business doing well, I am optimistic that I will be able to achieve this goal using the profits generated. Owning land and a home will provide my family with stability and a better living environment. I am truly grateful for the financial support, which has been instrumental in helping me work toward these goals and improve my family’s future."
Zawadi's family
access_time 4 days ago
Zawadi received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"In the coming year, my goal is to increase the number of goats I own. Ultimately, I hope to acquire two bulls. For a long time, I have struggled with plowing my farm during the rainy season, and owning the bulls will solve this problem. Instead of paying a high fee to hire a tractor, I will have the bulls to do the work myself. Additionally, I will be able to offer plowing services to others, earning extra income to help support my family. I plan to use part of my future transfers to buy more goats, and once I reach a total of ten, I will exchange them for a bull. I am really grateful for the financial support received, as it is bringing me closer to reaching this goal and improving my life."
Kadzo's family
access_time 4 days ago
Kadzo received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"My goal for the coming year is to purchase the remaining building materials, which are the building poles, and then save enough money to hire a mason to start the construction of our house. To achieve this, I plan to use a portion of my transfers, setting aside $20 every month to buy the building poles. Additionally, I will contribute extra funds from the profits I make selling sisal ropes, along with my husband’s earnings from his charcoal sales. This combined financial effort will ensure that we are able to build a safer and bigger house for our family. I am very grateful for the financial support, which is helping us work towards realizing this goal in the near future."
Jumaa's family
access_time 4 days ago
Jumaa received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"My primary goal for the coming year is to build a toilet for my family. Currently, we have to rely on nearby bushes for both long and short calls, which is both inconvenient and unhygienic. Constructing a toilet will help us maintain a high standard of hygiene and improve our overall quality of life. To achieve this goal, I plan to save $14 every month for an entire year. Along with the profits from my business, I will use the savings to fund the construction of the toilet. Having a toilet at home will make life much easier for my family and eliminate the struggles of going to the bush. I am deeply grateful for the financial support, which is helping me work toward this goal and create a healthier and safer environment for my family."
Kadzo's family
access_time 4 days ago
Kadzo received a $27 thirty-fourth payment.
"My goal for the coming year and beyond is to invest in purchasing more goats with my subsequent transfers. I previously bought five goats, and my plan is to continue adding to their numbers. To achieve this, I will save $20 each month in our savings group, allowing me to gradually accumulate enough money to buy additional goats. Goats are a valuable investment for me because they multiply quickly. Once their numbers grow, I’ll be able to sell some to address basic needs or handle emergencies if they arise. This strategy will help me build financial security and stability for my family. I am very happy and deeply grateful for the financial transfers, which have been instrumental in helping me care for my family and plan for a better future."
Furaha's family
access_time 4 days ago
Furaha received a $27 thirtieth payment.
"I run a small business selling delicious mandazis. Every morning, I prepare them with care and go door-to-door in different compounds to sell them. Once I finish my sales, I also cut trees and produce charcoal to supplement our income. My husband, on the other hand, actively searches for construction jobs to help us make ends meet. I am deeply committed to creating a better future for my children. My ultimate dream is to set up a permanent spot where I can sell a variety of food items like chapatis and mandazis. This would simplify my work, attract more customers, boost my income, and improve our family’s quality of life.To achieve this goal, I save $10 every month to secure a business premise that will make my work easier."
Joseline's family
access_time 4 days ago
Joseline received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"I currently live in a mud-walled, iron-roofed two-roomed house. Unfortunately, the roof has developed holes, and when it rains, water drips inside. To address this, I joined a merry-go-round group where I save $20 every month to help me with the building process. Time is moving quickly, and I want to ensure I complete these projects before the support ends. I have already started purchasing building materials using part of my savings. When it was my turn to benefit, I decided to use the entire amount to buy a few iron sheets. I plan to use these sheets to renovate the roof first to stop the rain from leaking inside while I wait to receive the remaining funds to start building a new house. Additionally, I have a project of buying livestock, specifically a cow, as it will serve as my future financial security once these transfers come to an end."