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.
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GDLive updates will be slower while GiveDirectly's Africa offices are closed over the holidays.
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2 months ago
Sidi
received a $27 twenty-first payment.
"In the coming year, I hope to purchase a solar lighting system for our home. Currently, I use a paraffin lantern, but paraffin is costly, and this method is not sustainable. To make this happen, I plan to save from my future transfers so I can put down a deposit on the solar lighting system. Once it’s installed, I will make small monthly payments, allowing us to enjoy reliable and cost-effective lighting. I am deeply appreciative of the support that’s helping me improve our quality of life."
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2 months ago
Zawadi
received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"My goal for the coming year is to expand my livestock. By investing in more animals, I can eventually generate income from selling them, helping to provide for both myself and my family. To make this happen, I plan to save part of each transfer, and once I’ve set aside enough, I’ll buy another goat. This steady approach will allow my herd to grow gradually. I’m genuinely thankful for the financial support that is helping me achieve this goal and ensuring both my own and my family’s well-being."
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2 months ago
Amina
received a $27 thirty-first payment.
"As I considered my options for investing the funds from these transfers, I decided to focus on an income-generating venture. I ultimately chose goat rearing and am pleased to have acquired nine goats so far. I believe that investing in goats is a wise strategy due to their ability to multiply quickly. This allows me to either sell them or trade them for dairy cows, which is my long-term goal. Once my goat population grows sufficiently, I aim to exchange some of them for a dairy cow. Having a dairy cow would be advantageous as it would provide me with milk to sell, generating additional income to support my family. I am confident that expanding into dairy farming will greatly enhance my family’s well-being and help secure a better future for us."
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2 months ago
Arnold
received a $27 thirty-third payment.
"I am currently employed as a motorcycle driver while my wife runs a small fried chicken business. With five school-aged children, we have to work diligently to generate enough income to support them. The assistance we receive from GiveDirectly has significantly reduced our financial strain, allowing us to have extra income for our family.
Looking ahead to the next year and beyond, I have two main priorities to address. First, I aim to build a proper coop for my poultry. I started this project to prepare for when the transfers end, ensuring that I will have a sustainable investment that provides income during financial difficulties. Chickens reproduce quickly and have a strong market demand, which is why I chose to invest my transfers in this venture. I plan to continue using part of my transfers to purchase more chickens and expand my poultry farming.
I am pleased to say that I already have ten chickens, which is a solid starting point. Additionally, I want to prioritize my children's education by allocating another portion of my transfer to cover their school fees, ensuring they receive the best possible education. As the saying goes, education is the key to success, and I want to make certain that my children are well-educated so they can support themselves and their families in the future."
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2 months ago
Dzendere
received a zeroth payment.
"I am a widow with three children, and I rely on my son who does casual jobs for provision. When I received my most recent transfers, I knew I had to make some important investments. First, I invested $150 on a cow. This cow will help us produce milk, which is a valuable source of food and income for our family. After that, I spent $129 to renovate the roof of my house because it was leaking during the rainy season. Fixing the roof was essential to keep us safe and dry. With $41, I bought a sack of maize to ensure we had enough food at home. I need to keep my family well-fed and healthy. I also used $30 to pay school fees for my grandchildren, as their education is a priority for me. After taking care of these urgent needs, I saved the remaining $200 to help build a house for my daughter, who separated from her husband. It breaks my heart to see her struggle, and I want to provide her with a safe place to call home. These transfers have allowed me to support my family and make a positive impact on their lives."
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2 months ago
Mohammed
received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"I am currently in my third year of secondary school, and I am looking forward to completing my education soon. Right now, my focus is on my studies as I have some outstanding fees to settle. I plan to use my transfers to clear these balances. Additionally, in the upcoming years, I aim to build my own house. I intend to start using a portion of my monthly transfer to cover the building expenses. This way, I can gradually purchase the necessary materials until I have everything I need for construction. I am glad I have managed to start buying a few iron sheet for preparation.Owning a house provides a level of comfort that you don't get when you're relying on others for shelter. Therefore, I am optimistic that I can achieve my dream of having my own house."
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2 months ago
Alice
received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"In the upcoming year and beyond, I have plans to allocate a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly towards livestock rearing, with a focus on goats. As our transfers are about to conclude, I want to invest in an income-generating project, which is why I considered a goat rearing venture. To make this a reality, I am currently saving $20 each month for the investment. I chose goats because they breed quickly and there is ready market for them. I believe that in a few years, once the project is successful, I will be able to sell some of the goats to fund my child's school fees while also covering my family’s basic needs."
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2 months ago
Karisa
received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"I have set a new goal: to buy more goats and raise them at home to support my family, especially my children's education. It's always a struggle to ensure they can attend school because I lack enough livestock to sell, which would help me easily afford their schooling. Therefore, I plan to use part of my earnings from casual jobs and save about $10 from transfers each month to buy a significant number of goats and build a large herd. I believe this is the best way to secure my family's future, especially when this program comes to an end. Additionally, having a herd will provide me with financial security; if one of my children is sent home for unpaid fees, I can sell a goat to send them back to school."
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2 months ago
Nzingo
received a $27 twenty-fifth payment.
"Now that I feel my health improving day by day, I’ve set a new goal: to buy goats and keep them in my compound. Currently, I don’t have any goats because I’ve been facing some hardships and rely on my sons for support. To achieve this goal, I plan to set aside a small amount from my transfers within my savings group each month. In a few months, I will be able to buy one or two goats. I’m confident they will thrive here at home, as there is plenty of pasture available. Once I succeed, I’ll have something to fall back on, especially for emergencies, particularly those related to health. This way, I can sell a few goats if needed and easily cover my expenses."
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2 months ago
Kachimbi
received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"My house is in poor condition, as its roof is made of grass, and I constantly worry that it might collapse soon. Additionally, I am exhausted from the yearly repairs needed for the grass-thatched roof. There have been times when I got rained on because I couldn't afford the materials for repairs. To address this, I have devised a plan to save $20 each month from the transfers I receive in a savings group. This savings will eventually help me build a better house. So far, I have managed to purchase the iron sheets, and I still have enough savings to cover other necessary materials. I believe that once I complete this project, I will have peace of mind and no longer have to worry about the harsh weather conditions that have affected us for so long."
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