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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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Jonathan's Profile
Jonathan's family
Jonathan
landscapeCountry:
liberia
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
33
workCampaign
Liberia Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
42500 LRD ($279 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?
Building my own house has always been my greatest desire. In doing so, when I received my previous transfers from GiveDirectly, I decided to build a bigger house for my family. I also set up a retail business with portion of my previous transfers. With my recent transfer, I will complete my house project and also buy additional goods for my retail business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has given hope to extremely poor people like us by reaching out to these abandoned and 'hard to reach' towns and villages. They are very honest in delivering cash to qualified beneficiaries. I don't see anything that GiveDirectly has been doing wrongly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
All along I have dreamed of starting my own business and also living in a big and comfortable house. Hence, when I received my recent transfer from GiveDirectly, I purchased 2 bundles of zinc for $22,000LD to complete my new house. I also used portion of my money to buy more goods for my business. Transfers received from GiveDirectly has improved my life tremendously.
 
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
42500 LRD ($279 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 decided to complete my house with my third transfer which I just received from the give directly program. I m also going to pay some gentlemen to build my house. I also bought my last bundles of zinc. I also paid my two kids' tuition for this year. I also bought some provisions for the house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly is doing a great job for us the poor people of Liberia. since I started receiving a transfer from the Givedirectly program my daily meal has improved greatly. all of my children are in school with their friends. I m so grateful to give directly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A huge of my transfer was used for my house project. I also purchased some provisions for my house. I did pay my children's tuition and bought them some school materials. I paid the guys who are building my house now.
 
2nd 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?
My house has been in a deplorable condition but getting the money to build a new one has been a challenge for me. When GiveDirectly came in my community with this opportunity, I was so happy and therefore set a goal when I started recieving payments from GiveDirectly. That goal is to build a new house. As seeing, my house is nearing completion now. It will be the first time in my life to own a zinc house since I was born.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by leaving the recipients with the decision how to spend the money given them. People have different priorities they might want to prioritize when the cash is available to them. I believe in this way, the change you want to see in the lives of people will be seen when they are left to decide for themselves. GiveDirectly does well by not having interest in a specific group of people. I think GiveDirectly has not done anything wrong.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Through the transfer I was able to buy cement bags to plaster and put floor in my house. Thank God through GiveDirectly that I will no longer have to cut thatches to cover my house during the rainy season. I was also able to buy my children's school uniforms from the transfer I recently received from GiveDirectly. I am really grateful for this life changing opportunity given to me by GiveDirectly.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
40375 LRD ($264 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
GiveDirectly transfer has been my first more thinking over the past few months. About receiving this transfer from GiveDirectly programs. I was on my way to the farmers to do some farming activities. Before leaving the town,i overheard a huge noise from the other side of the town. People was rejoying about their transfer.I ran quickly to the network area to check on my phone. Upon receiving this transfer I'm planned to build a very descent house in this village. Now that i received this transfer I'm about to build my dream house for my children.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life was how to build a new house with zinc. Even to provide for my children and spent them to school. Upon receiving this transfer all of family can now eat good meals. Life has changed greatly now because of GiveDirectly money. All of my children school fees has been fully paid. The family are very happy about this programs the GiveDirectly is doing in Liberia.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Huge of my transfer was spent on my house project. Building this house has been my first more concern in life. I'm going to pay some man to help me saw my planks. I even spent small amount on cutting of stick in the bush. My children school was so a major challenge that i couldn't have handle easily. With this transfer from GiveDirectly i will be able to build this house and spent my children to school.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been living in my brother's house from 2019 to present. My entire family and I live in my brother house. I am living in my brother's house because I can not afford to construct my own home at this time. If I am successful to benefit from GiveDirectly cash transfer program, I intend to use the money to construct a modern house for my family and I. I will also use portion of the money to sponsor my children in school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Cutting palm in order to produce oil is difficult and also depreciates an individual body very quick. I am going through all these constraints in order for my children to get quality education and not to end up like me. After selling the oil from palm produce and using the money to send them to school and seeing them doing very well in school and passing to the next class every year brings me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I make rice farm, cut palm and even plant cassava just to send my children to school. Cutting palm is a very dangerous work and I don't want to continue doing such work. However, leaving palm cutting now and rice farming will affect my children's ability to go to school and will also affect our survival. Raising money to find another source of income for my family and I that will allow me to leave the palm cutting is my greatest challenge currently.