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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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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Theo's Profile
Theo's family
Theo
landscapeCountry:
liberia
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
21
workCampaign
Liberia Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
42500 LRD ($280 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I needed money to complete my house project. Hence, I purchased building materials such as zinc, nails etc.. with my recent transfer. I also bought enough food and drinks for contractors working on my house. My life has improved immensely within the last few months. Thanks to GD for playing a leading role in transforming my life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly unique method of selecting qualified household to benefit from this program is admirable. With these transfers, my life has improved immensely. I am blessed to be part of this project. GD has done nothing wrong thus far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My primary objective at the moment is to complete my house project. Therefore, I bought 3 bundles of zinc ($30,600LD) to roof my house. Portion of my transfer was also used to buy enough food for contractors working on my house. The balance money was used as transportation.
 
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
42500 LRD ($276 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have had just one goal before recieving this transfer. That goal is to construct a new house. Due to the lack of available finance, I have not been able to make the first plan toward achieving my goal but when GiveDirectly came and gave me this huge amount of money I was overwhelmed with happiness. As seeing, my new house is close to completion and few weeks from now I will be moving in with my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by ensuring that every deserving households are enrolled into the program, except where a household refuses to be enrolled. It makes sure every house is visited to determine eligible households to be enrolled into the program. In my own mind, I think GiveDirectly has not done anything that is not right.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used portion of my transfer which amounted to forty five thousand Liberian dollars (45,000.00LD) to buy three bundles of zinc that covering my new house. I also used about ten thousand (10,000LD) to buy nails. Portion was used to buy cement bags and sylin tile. Workmanship and food was paid for through the same transfers. Finally, son is to sit the national exams I therefore paid his balance school and exams fees. The money came at the time I think where to get money to pay my son's balance school and exams fees.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
42500 LRD ($278 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My initial plan was to buy bike for transportation business in other to have an additional source of income to improve the livelihood of my family and I. Hence, when I received my recent transfer from GiveDirectly, I added some of the money saved from my previous transfer and immediately purchased a used bike to begin my transportation business. Moreover, I was left with a huge portion of money from my recent transfer that was used to start my building project. GiveDirectly has completely changed my life through their great financial assistance. I am grateful for this opportunity.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
From my own judgement, GiveDirectly treats everyone equally and they've been very objective in selecting qualified household to benefit from this program. I am personally very satisfied and blessed to be part of this unique project. I also do not see anything wrong that GiveDirectly is doing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I've decided to build a decent 2 bedroom apartment after purchasing a used bike for transportation business. So, when I received my recent transfer from GiveDirectly, a little portion was added on the money saved from my previous transfer to purchase a used bike. Furthermore, the remaining portion of my recent transfer was used to buy 2 bundles of zinc($31,000LD) and 4 gallons of gasoline($3,500LD) respectively. A very big thanks to GD for transforming my life.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
40375 LRD ($282 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on a Sunday morning, getting ready to go to church when I heard a friend shouting at his resident about receiving his message from Givedirectly. I ran to a special place were we go to make our Lonestar MTN call and I checked my phone, Fortunately for me, I saw a message transfer from Givedirectly.I was fill with joy.I started singing and immediately informed my family and went to church. I was excited about this money because it was my first time receiving a lot of money from people especially the very first time a helper reaching us in our community.My family life have been all through out every year in hardship until Givedirectly came into my life. Now my days have started improving with the first help. Thanks to GiveDirectly for reaching us to this last man community across the Timbo river.I am very grateful for this help.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I received my first transfer, my family and I have had a resting hours because I don't worry about getting money any longer.Through the transfer, I was able to buy my Zinc and nails with the first transfer and can now attest the happiness that is in my household. I was surprised to received such assistance from across the Timbo river.It is the very first time.Thanks to our helper for the future of our children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I use part of my first transfer to buy three(3 ) bundles of Zinc and nails for my new plan construction.I also use the little balance for transportation back to my home across the Timbo river. My life have been very busy almost every day because I use to wake up earlier in the morning to get to my village to start working just to have more hours to earn little money to sustain the family. Thank God that my life is getting better with the gift from GiveDirectly.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I will build my house with the money. I have a family and we are living in my father's house which I don't feel good about.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Today is my happy day in a long time because of GiveDirectly . I have been cutting palm for survival and sometimes the money will not be enough to totally take care of my family needs. With the timely intervention of GiveDirectly, I will get my own money and spend it the way I want.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My current challenge is lack of money to build my new house. I have long thought on building my own house so that my family and I can move but there has been no money to do so.