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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Fatu's Profile
Fatu's family
Fatu
landscapeCountry:
liberia
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
29
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?
Yes I have a new goal that I didn't have before receiving this transfer. That goal is to buy land in Monrovia so that I can build a house on it for my family to relocate to Monrovia. Living in this village presents numerious challenges. Firstly, there is no school in this village. The closest primary school to our village is in Menzen [about 3 Km away from Weafeah]. Besides the distance, the learning environment is not conducive as there're only "two teachers" in the entire school. Additionally, access to healthcare services is another major challenge. The closest medical facility to our village is Suehn Clinic [about 25 km away from Weafeah] I therefore wish to buy land and build a house in Monrovia where my kids will have access to better education as well as healthcare.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GD does well in the timely transfer of money to recipients. When I was told that my family will receive money four times within four months, I was a bit doubtful. I thought that this was just another ploy designed to collect our personal information. However, true to their word, we received received the money within the promised timeframe. Another area where GD does well is the fairness of their enrolment prpcess. There's no "pick and choose" (discrimination) amongst town residents. In my opinion, GD is doing well in every area. I cannot identify anywhere where GD does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The money from GD came at a time when my family was in desperate need of a house. My spouse and I currently live in a single bedroom structure along with my 5 kids. Due to the limited lodging capacity of this house, my spouse often sleep along with his friends. Because of this, we are building a 3 bedroom house that'll be able to accommodate my entire family. I spent my most recent transfer to buy zinc for that house.
 
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
42500 LRD ($290 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At first, my husband and I have been surviving on farming. We couldn't afford our children school fees and their school materials. Upon receiving the transfer, I was able to register them in school and I also bought a commercial motorbike to start a business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GD is doing well to lessen our burdens by giving us the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought a motorbike with my transfer and the balance was used to pay my children fees in school.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
42500 LRD ($298 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
No, I don't have new goals for this second transfer. My previous planned about buying a motorcycle for commocial purpose still stands. When I'm through with that, maybe I will have new goals in the future.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
All of the work GiveDirectly has done for me and my community are great. I will forever remember GiveDirectly in all of my prayers for putting smiles on our faces. My family and I are grateful to GiveDirectly for helping us with this huge amount of money that I have never handle before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have added two hundred United States dollars of this recent transfer to my previous money that is in saved keeping. Making the total amount of four hundred United States dollars to buy my motorcycle for commocial purpose. I bought food, matress and other household items with the balance money for home use.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
40375 LRD ($273 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was on the farm cutting rice and I saw my husband running to me to tell me. He said Fatu, the money is on our sim! I dropped the rice bunch I had in my hand and started stomping my feet in jubilation. I thank God for bringing Givedirectly to bless my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the fact that my children are neat in school. Before, they did not even look like students because they were dusty and did not have shoes. The money made all my children happy. When I send them to do something for me, they don't complain because they are all happy that their life changed this school year. I now have respect and peace in my home. Moreover, I thought cutting palm was the end of my life, but I don't have to do all those hard jobs to survive anymore because we are about to start our business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I decided to pay our children's school fees and buy their uniforms. We kept the rest to add up and purchase a motorbike for business.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My plan is that when God helps me, I received this money, I will go to look for an open place to live and do business and send my children to good, because me and my husband are suffering in this bush. We are just making farm but, can't realize any source of income in our lives. The number of farm, we have made is unaccountable but no improvement.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last six months, there has been no joy, becuas we are not living like family that have obligation. People mob at us because of financial constraints.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The major problem now I'm faced with is my brother-in -law who is blind in our hand. He was with us, when this incidence occured, we have taken him to so many places but not improvement. From my children side, we are discouraged that our are not in school, because of financial constraints. The room we are also sleeping does not represent us as family.