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 > Mary's Profile
Mary's family
Mary
landscapeCountry:
uganda
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
45
workCampaign
Standard Uganda
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
1662250 UGX ($453 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Although it was the use of my first transfer, my life is currently different in that I was able to pay up fees for my three children who are in secondry schools. This was a great relief compared to before when together with them, we had to do casual labor to raise fees and add up with the sale of our own harvest. If the time of getting back to school has approached and no money yet, they had to keep home until I had raised it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly has done well by giving me money that has enabled me to spend unconditionally. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong that GiveDirectly has done.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to buy more building materials such as timber, iron sheets, nails, six bags of cement, and one trip of bricks that I used to complete my house. I then bought a cow at Ugx 480000.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1730250 UGX ($464 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Through this support, I was able to pay my children's fees in time and start up the construction of my iron roofed house. Prior to receiving this transfer, my children were often sent back home for school fees and I didn't have hope of constructing an iron roofed house because I didn't have a stable source of income.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money, I was over whelmed with joy because GiveDirectly had fulfilled its promise of sending me cash transfer.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to pay schools for my children worth UGX 750,000, I bought 4 trips of bricks at UGX 710,000, paid construction workers at UGX 200,000 and I bought water at UGX 40,000.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to pay school fees for my children. My children are all in secondary schools and I am sure these transfers will enable me to put them to another level.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening especially when I talk to my husband. We stay far apart but when we talk on phone, I feel the togetherness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I am faced with is lack of farm land. I only have the chance to cultivate if I manage to get some money for hire. Without that, I have no where to carry out agriculture hence famine.