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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Tom's Profile
Tom's family
Tom
landscapeCountry:
uganda
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
26
workCampaign
Standard Uganda
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
1662250 UGX ($450 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has improved because through these cash transfers, I can afford to earn fourty thousand shillings from my salon business every week. This has enabled me to meet my family needs like treatment and food. In addition, I can also now cultivate on time because I acquired two bulls for ploughing as opposed to when I farmed late because I had to wait for the owner of the bulls to complete and had no source of income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well by helping to start an income generating activity for sustaining my family. GiveDirectly has not done anything.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I have spent my second transfer on salon business and rented farm land.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1730250 UGX ($468 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is that I have purchased my oxen which are going to facilitate timely ploughing. I have bought good clothes for my family members and this makes us happy. Prior to receiving this money, I did casual labour in exchange for oxen. This affected the ploughing timing which also resulted to poor yield.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money, I became very happy and withing me I had a feeling that the pressing needs were already sorted.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer for buying oxen for ploughing at UGX 1,400,000, household items which are a mattress, clothes, shoes and food.
 
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means boosting my self esteem. I will buy cows that will act as an investment for my household. The cows when they have multiplied can be sold in order to take children to school as well as providing food for our household. I do not have any investment in my household which makes me lack self esteem. In my community, owning a cow earns you status.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening when I have gone to the trading center to meet friends. I go out of home in order to refresh my mind as well as solicit for developmental ideas from friends. I get stressed when I stay a lone due to lack of a reliable source of income.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Inadquate land for cultivation is my biggest hardship. I stay with my parents in one compound and hire land that I cultivate crops. I can not raise enough income because part of it goes to hire land other than saving. That leaves my household vulnerable and not able to break the viscious cycle of poverty.