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.
Laurence's family
access_time 5 years ago
Laurence received a $39 twelfth payment.
"My life is different from how it was in that, I have learned to be financially disciplined. I have been able to save for quite some time now. Generally, my savings have increased since I also try to save part of the salary. I have also become more independent. I no longer bother my brother to pay my rent or my other personal items. It feels good to be financially stable. One doesn't feel like a bother anymore. I wish to stabilize myself further so as to be able to achieve my future goals."
Rachel's family
access_time 5 years ago
Rachel received a $542 initial payment.
"For a long time, I have dreamt of improving my daily life to make it better. I primarily depend on farming to earn a living to support the family and my basic needs. I have lived to struggle every day since my family needs ranging from my children's education to the daily household basic needs has been too much for my subsistence farming to settle them to satisfaction. I always felt bad whenever the basic household needs become challenging to meet with milk being the most expensive since I had no cow. I feel my life has greatly changed since I received my transfer in that I used part of it to buy a cow. I am happy that this has reduced my daily household expenditure and even added me an income from milk sales. I feel relaxed and enjoying a peaceful mind now that I have a supplement of income and an asset that I can lean on in cases of emergencies in my family."
Janet's family
access_time 5 years ago
Janet received a $542 initial payment.
"It was around 5: 30 am, when my phone rang continuously. I was preparing myself to go do my normal casual jobs. I decided to check who had sent the message during that time because my curiosity could not keep me calm. Upon reading it, I realized the message was from Give Directly. They had sent me my first transfer. I was very excited. I even canceled my day's schedule and celebrated the good news. I could barely concentrate on whatever task I was doing because the good news kept replaying in my mind"
Maritim's family
access_time 5 years ago
Maritim received a $22 twentieth payment.
"In the next six months, I believe I would have bought some chicken and would be collecting some eggs which when I get to sell I would also have something to buy myself some necessities. I have always wanted to live a life that I do not expect anything from anyone. This would make me live long as I wouldn't worry that I would lack money for use at some point."
James's family
access_time 5 years ago
James received a $469 initial payment.
"When I received the transfers, I felt so happy. Getting this money meant that my life was going to change because It would enable me buy household items that I did not have."
Silver's family
access_time 5 years ago
Silver received a $469 initial payment.
"I have fulfilled the traditional obligation of paying dowry for my wife. Additionally, I paid a loan which enabled me recover my farm land that I had given out as security on a acquiring the loan. I now concentrate on doing my own farm work unlike before when I worked as a casual laborer on a daily basis because there was no money to meet the basic needs of my family members and pay dowry for my wife"
Constant's family
access_time 5 years ago
Constant received a $469 initial payment.
"I received a mobile money message early in the morning. When I read the message, I was extremely happy because I was in need of financial support to enable me officially marry my new wife."
Joyce's family
access_time 5 years ago
Joyce received a $469 initial payment.
"The biggest difference is that I feel independent and empowered because I have access to money . I have been able to execute my plans such as plastering the house. I had thought of this long before the cash transfers, however I did not have money. I am glad that this opportunity knocked at my door at the right time."
Dominic's family
access_time 5 years ago
Dominic received a $39 twelfth payment.
"I want to expand the poultry project I have into something profitable as I am currently not selling. This will need a proper plan on how to manage them and where to get the best market. I am planning to use most of my transfers to construct a larger pen so that I can bring in more geese and turkey. I decided to move away from chicken-rearing because they are more prone to diseases as compared to geese and turkey."
Joseph's family
access_time 5 years ago
Joseph received a $542 initial payment.
"I realized that GiveDirectly had sent me money in the morning after waking up. I became so happy as I knew that I would be able to achieve my plans. We celebrated the good news as a family on that day by eating meat."