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 > Melvin's Profile
Melvin's family
Melvin
landscapeCountry:
liberia
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
43
workCampaign
Liberia Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
42500 LRD ($276 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before the coming of GiveDirectly in my town, I have already planned to invest into agriculture. I could not make a bigger farm because I had no money. Through the transfer from Givedirectly, I was able to expand my farm. For now, it is way bigger than I could even imagine. Lately, my new new plans have been to invest into business until my far is ready for harvest. So I decided to buy three motorbikes for transportation purpose, which will sustain my family and I and also help me generate money to send my children back to school. I am so happy right now because I had no money to buy the amount of motorbikes that I am having presently and the level my farm is also on. Thanks to Givedirectly for for everything.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Nothing, the money brought lot of changes into my life positively because I could not afford to earn such amount of money. In my opinion about what is not done well by GiveDirectly, I have not seen anything of such. The only thing that I am seeing in my town because of the transfer from Givedirectly is happiness and improvement in people's lives. Thanks be to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Through my recent transfer from Givedirectly, I was able to buy a motorbike for transportation purpose. Through this means I will be able to sustain me and my family. The remaining portion of the transfer, I spend all on my farm because I want to be biggest the biggest agribusiness person in my town or even my district. I am so thankful to GiveDirectly because I could not afford to make my farm so big than I expected it. I could not also afford to purchase three motorbikes for transportation until I started receiving the transfer from Givedirectly. I am grateful because my family and I lives have change positively because of the money from Givedirectly.
 
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
42500 LRD ($278 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?
After receiving my transfers from GiveDirectly, I used the first and second transfers to buy two motorbikes. I took laon from my club to add the money up. I am using this third transfer to pay my debts. I feel so relieved at the moment. My life has improved immensely since I started receiving transfers.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done so well for me and my family. They have taken us from grass to grace. I am so delighted to be part of this project that has transformed my livelihood. I see nothing that GD is not doing well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am using a very huge portion of my third transfer to pay back the laon that I took from the club. This will help me invest more and I will have more opportunities to set up new businesses. I am very fortunate to have benefited from this unique program.
 
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?
No. I have been having a goal of buying motorbike of my own but was unable due financial constraints. As soon as I got my first transfer, I credited from my savings club and added the money to my transfer and bought a new motorbike. I started running commercial traffic. My house is deplorable and need renovation. I am making a coconut plantations that will enable me to keeping sustaining my family and I when GiveDirectly leaves my town.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly brought great help to me and I highly appreciate them so much. They have done nothing wrong.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I cash out my most recent transfer, I will pay back the money that I'm owing from my savings club. I will buy food for my home. I will also renovate my house.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
40375 LRD ($263 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The day I received my transfer from GiveDirectly was one of the happiest day of my life. The joy and excitement I felt that day till now cannot explain. I got so emotional the day that I cried tears of joy. This payment came the time I was almost giving up on life. I had no one or on where to turn for help until GiveDirectly came to my rescue. Right now I still feel that excitement.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before receiving payment from GiveDirectly, I was a jobless father who couldn't afford even a daily meal for my family thoughtless of paying school fees. For this reason I couldn't sit any longer seeing my family going through this hardship forever. Therefore, I credited money and purchased a fairly used bike in order to provide income for my family and I. However, I started paying back the debts but got to the point I couldn't afford the balance money again and this brought serious embarrassment to me that I almost loss ownership of the bike. Happily, with this transfer I was able to paid all the balance money I was owing and the bike is now mind for good. I feel so much relieved now and my family are now well taking care of with the income from the bike. Thumbs up to GiveDirectly for this unique financial freedom.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving payment from GiveDirectly, I was indebted to my neighbour that I took money from to buy motorbike to use as commercial bike In order to make ends meet for my family. But things didn't go as planned and paying back the balance money credited was met with constrained. I was very much worried that I felt I could loss the bike because of the money. Blessedly, with my transfer from GiveDirectly, I was able to paid all the debts and now I am a free man and still hustling with the motorbike and making incomes for my family. Thanks to GiveDirectly for this life saving opportunity.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been working on the gold mine since 2012 with the intent of using any money generated to establish a coconut plantation but things have not been going as planned because of the rapidy decline of the gold mine. I stated the farming with the little money I generated but as of now it has come to a stand still because there is no more income. If I receive this aid from Give Directly, I will us it to extend my farm and also use portion of it to establish gasoline business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The news of Give Directly in my community is the happiest news so far this year. This news has given me so much hope that things will get better because I can see the impart of this institution on other towns and villages around me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The major challenge right now is finance. Right now my farm is at a stand still because I don't have money to continue the extension of the farm. I believe when I get money all other challenges will be solved or settled.