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.
Kache's family
access_time 1 month ago
Kache received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"Some time back, the roof of my house was blown away by strong winds and has been completely destroyed. It is now full of holes, making it unfit for use, and I am left with no choice but to replace it. Renovating the roof has become my top priority for the coming year. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my transfers and gradually buy iron sheets and other roofing materials that will allow me to restore my home. Once the renovation is complete, I will feel a great sense of relief and happiness, knowing that my family will be protected from the elements. After the roof is repaired, I plan to continue expanding my livestock. To achieve this, I intend to use a portion of my future transfers from GiveDirectly to purchase goats. I am hopeful that these goats will multiply, increasing both in number and value, providing me with an invaluable asset. This investment will be crucial for me, especially when this program comes to an end, as it will give me something to rely on for the future. I am truly grateful for the support I have received. It has made a significant impact on my life, and with this assistance, I can work towards a better and more secure future for my family."
Kavumbi's family
access_time 1 month ago
Kavumbi received a $27 twenty-fifth payment.
"My goal for this year and beyond is to first renovate the roof of my house and create a better living space for myself and my family. The roof is very old and worn out, and it desperately needs repairs. To make this happen, I have been saving a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly, and I plan to continue saving more through our local savings group until I have enough to finally repair the roof. Once the house is repaired, I will shift my focus to expanding my livestock base. Increasing my livestock is a valuable investment that will provide not only a steady income but also something I can rely on, even after the project is complete. To achieve this, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to buy goats, with the hope that they will multiply, increasing both their numbers and their value. I am excited about this plan because it will give me a solid foundation for the future. I am proud of the progress I have made so far, as it ensures that my family will be well taken care of, especially in case of any urgent needs. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has made a world of difference in improving our situation."
Karisa's family
access_time 1 month ago
Karisa received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"Owning a pair of bulls has always been my dream. I have always envisioned using them to plow my farm and reduce my farming expenses. Thanks to the transfers I have been receiving, I was able to get one bull, and now I am in the process of acquiring the second one to complete the set. This is something I have worked hard towards. To make this a reality, I have been diligently saving a portion of my transfers in a local savings group, and I plan to continue saving more of my future transfers until I achieve this goal. Once I have both bulls, I will feel an immense sense of satisfaction, knowing that I will no longer need to hire outside labor to plow my land. I will be able to manage my farm more efficiently and reduce costs. This will be a huge milestone for me, and I cannot wait for that day to come. Beyond that, I have another dream that I am working towards. I want to build a better house for myself. The house I am currently living in is old and in very bad condition. I know that with time, and by using a portion of my transfers, I will gradually buy building materials and start constructing a home that is more comfortable and safe. I am hopeful that soon, I will be able to move into a new home that I can truly be proud of. I am deeply grateful for the support I have received. Every step I take brings me closer to realizing my dreams, and I am filled with hope and determination to see them come true."
Mwakamusha's family
access_time 1 month ago
Mwakamusha received a $27 twenty-second payment.
"I have been buying goats with the help of my parents, who assist in their care while I continue attending school. I currently own 10 goats and aim to increase this number to 25 to achieve my goals after finishing school next year. My plan is to move into my own house to avoid the ongoing inconvenience of searching for a place to sleep, as I am now grown and can no longer share my parents' one-room house. In addition to building my dream house, I am using part of my transfers to purchase goats and also to acquire iron sheets in preparation for construction. Once this project is complete, I will focus on preparing to join college. My parents are small-scale farmers, and the little they earn cannot fully support my college education without a combined effort. Therefore, I must plan early. These goats will multiply, increasing their number beyond what I currently have. I plan to sell some in the future to raise funds for buying additional building materials and to expedite the construction process. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their financial support. Without these transfers, I would not have reached where I am today."
Hadija's family
access_time 1 month ago
Hadija received a $27 twenty-second payment.
"My father is partially disabled, leaving my mother as the primary breadwinner for our family. Due to the heavy financial burden, I could not proceed to college, as my mother had to prioritize paying school fees for my four younger siblings and providing for the entire family. She works as a peasant farmer and supplements her income by burning and selling charcoal, but her earnings are minimal, often requiring her to struggle to make ends meet. To help alleviate this burden, I have been using part of my transfers to invest in poultry and goat rearing. Currently, I have six chickens and five goats, and I am focusing on building a sustainable livelihood through livestock farming. My plan is to let the chickens multiply, exchange them for goats, and eventually trade the goats for cows. My ultimate goal is to acquire two cows, care for them, and sell them at a profit to fund my college education at KMTC. This aspiration motivates me to work hard, as I believe furthering my studies will lead to a brighter future for myself and my family."
Catherine's family
access_time 1 month ago
Catherine received a $347 second payment.
"I am happy because GiveDirectly has helped elevate us from poverty. The officers gave valuable advice on how to use the cash transfer for investments, which made a big difference in our lives. They guided us on the best ways to spend the money, ensuring it was used wisely for our future. I didn’t notice anything bad from GiveDirectly; everything was handled well. The support they provided was truly beneficial, and I appreciate their efforts. Overall, I am grateful for the assistance and the positive impact it has had on my family."
John's family
access_time 1 month ago
John enrolled.
"Life in our community has become unbearable. The land is dry and infertile, making it impossible to grow our own food. We are forced to rely on the market to feed our family, which has made our cost of living incredibly high. It is disheartening to see food prices soaring, especially when I do not have a stable source of income. I work as a casual laborer and, at times, I burn charcoal to sell, just to support my family of five. Although our area is favorable in rearing goats, insecurity is the biggest setback. Most of us fear venturing into livestock farming due to banditry and cattle rustling."
Angela's family
access_time 1 month ago
Angela enrolled.
"My biggest challenge currently is getting money. My husband and I depend on Livestock and Bee keeping which is not enough to meet our daily needs. We have 3 children in university and it has been really difficult supporting them by sending money for food, upkeep and school fees and at the same time provide for our household. So many projects we intended to do including completing the construction of our house have stalled. This really frustrates me and I wish I had someplace I could get money to cater for my needs."
Kaimugul's family
access_time 1 month ago
Kaimugul enrolled.
"My greatest challenge is getting money to pay school fees for my children. I have two children in secondary school whom I have been paying school fees for. I have sold almost all my goats to pay for their school fees and finding extra cash has been a challenge. This has made it difficult for me to meet some of the household needs such as purchasing enough food. It saddens me sometimes that I cannot meet all the needs despite my hardwork."
Monicah's family
access_time 1 month ago
Monicah enrolled.
"The challenge I'm facing currently is a lack of money. I depend on charcoal burning and a Grocery store which is not enough to cater for my family's needs. Despite my husband being a teacher all his money goes to paying school fees for our children. We have 2 children in college,3 in primary school and 1 in secondary school. The cost of paying fees is so much and has made life challenging since both our efforts are not enough to meet the household needs and also pay school fees."