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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Michael's Profile
Michael's family
Michael
landscapeCountry:
uganda
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
31
workCampaign
Standard Uganda
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
1660965 UGX ($449 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has changed alot because I constructed a nice iron roofed house. I also purchased enough food stock like cassava and household items like clothes, and a solar panel for lighting at night. In addition to these, I hired a farm land for commercial rice growing. This will earn me income to support my family. In the past, I could not afford to purchase food and most of the household items due to lack of money. More so it never crossed my mind that I would construct an iron roofed house. The cash transfer has saved me from worries and tension that I had due to lack of enough money.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly has done well to save people from poverty through giving them cash transfers. The cash transfers have enabled me construct an iron roofed house. On the otherhand, I cannot specifically point out any wrong doing that GiveDirectly has done.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer to purchase 14 iron sheets and 6 bags of cement for constructing my house. I bought a 10 watts' solar panel and battery for lighting at night. I also hired a piece of land for rice growing. I gave my spouse a portion of the transfer to purchase household items like clothes.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1728300 UGX ($471 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that, I and my family are always smiling because this money has helped us start the construction of a better structure than we are currently staying in.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money, I recall by then I was admitted in the hospital due to Malaria. My wife brought for me the phone with the message on the sick bed and when I saw it, I felt my health had improved that very moment because of the good news of the transfer.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to commence the construction of my permanent house. I bought building materials like iron sheets, nails, bricks, timber and also paid builders with the very money.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means i will construct an iron roofed house where my children and i will sleep because currently getting thatch grass is very difficult and expensive.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon especially after my children have eaten lunch and i see them playing in the compound, it makes me feel very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship i have faced in my life is when my wife was very sick about a month ago and i never had money for treatment. I had to sell the only pig i had to raise money for treatment.