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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9 months ago
Hussein
received a $22 eighteenth payment.
"I am a trained Early childhood educator, I have a certificate in this training and this certificate is allowing me to get a job as a teacher. I had wanted to advance my training and get a diploma. I enrolled and have been attending school but the money for the training has been high hence has forced me to take out loans. I took out a loan of $80 which I have been paying using my transfers. In November I paid $20, in December I paid $30 and in January I paid $20. I now only have $10 left unpaid. The rest of the cash in November went into buying food at $12 and fueling my motorcycle at $2. In December I paid my debts owed the solar company that installed my home solar system at $2 and fueled my motorcycle at an equal amount. In January I mended my children's uniform at $5, I bought them books at $3.7 and paid for the solar debt again at $3 and finally fueled my motorcycle at $2."
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9 months ago
Cornelius
received a $277 third payment.
"With the recent $450 I received from GiveDirectly, I made choices that aimed at securing a better future for my family. I allocated $200 towards the school fees of my two kids, one in PP1 and the other in Grade 2. I strongly believe that providing them with a good education foundation is crucial for their future success.
Recognizing the local economic opportunities, I spent another $200 to purchase four bee hives. Beekeeping is a thriving activity in our area, and I anticipate that the income from the harvest will be substantial. I plan to use this money to improve and expand our small house, making it more comfortable for my family.
These decisions, focused on education and economic development, reflect my commitment to securing a brighter future for my children and enhancing our living conditions."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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9 months ago
Jumaa
received a $21 eighteenth payment.
"I have always been a businessman even before Givedirectly came my way. I had my small store where I sold motorcycle parts to locals. The business was not doing well as our needs have become so many because we had a bad drought that meant we bought everything we ate. My business took a huge blow and I needed to figure out how to find my way out of this. Givedirectly became a saving grace for me at the time I started receiving the transfers as I would periodically send cash to the business from the transfers I received and I have seen a significant growth in the business. I spent $20 in January and November restocking the shop. I bought clothes for the children at $14 in November while in January I used the same amount to pay school fees. I also got a goat at $33 in December."
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9 months ago
Evans
received a $279 third payment.
"In the next few years, my main goal is to buy a motorcycle. I have a specific reason for this - it's going to be a game-changer for my business plans. I aspire to become a goat broker, and having a motorbike will be super helpful. With it, I can easily transport goats from the villages to the town for selling. This way, I can kickstart my business and make it more efficient. The motorcycle is like my key to unlocking opportunities in the goat-selling business, making things smoother and more profitable."
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9 months ago
Kazungu
received a $21 eighteenth payment.
"Before the end of the year, I hoping that I will be a motorcycle owner. This is because I am planning on purchasing it on loan so that I can be paying for it in monthly installments. I will be using my transfers and the earnings from this business to pay for it this year. By next year, I will focus my energy and transfers on my children's education. This is my long term goal as I always wish for them to get the best education since in the coming years, life will be so difficult if one does not have any formal education. Currently, I have six children, though five are currently in school and are in different levels. Seeing them fulfill their dreams in life will be the most fulfilling achievement in my life and I know that this will be possible through hard work and support from GiveDirectly."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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9 months ago
Changawa
received a $21 eighteenth payment.
"As I said I joined a sacco on enrollment to the program with the aim of being able to buy a new motorcycle. My current motorcycle is always in for repair and this usually makes me spend so much. I do not plan on disposing it but just adding another motorcycle to increase my income as this will be able to allow me achieve goals such as getting myself a wife."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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9 months ago
Reuben
received a $21 eighteenth payment.
"I am a motorcyclist who acquired my motorcycle through a hire purchase arrangement, requiring me to make monthly installment payments. These payments, totaling $30, have enabled me to retain ownership of the motorcycle, which, in turn, has been crucial for sustaining my livelihood. Additionally, I allocated $10 of these funds towards covering a portion of the school fees for my six children, all of whom are currently enrolled in primary school. I am pleased that my children are able to pursue their education. Furthermore, I invested $44 in purchasing a goat and two hens with the expectation that their multiplication will contribute to a boost in income. This investment aligns with my optimistic outlook on the potential for increased revenue from the livestock in the future. To address the basic needs of my family, I allocated $18 towards purchasing food. I express deep gratitude for the financial assistance provided by Give Directly, as it has played a vital role in supporting my family during challenging economic periods when my earnings from my job as a motorcycle taxi are limited."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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9 months ago
Saul
received a $277 third payment.
"Now that I have successfully fenced my 3/4 piece of land, I am eager to venture into extensive farming to secure a sustainable source of food for my family of two. Recognizing the challenges posed by drought in this region, diversifying into agriculture becomes crucial for resilience. In the upcoming year, my focus will be concentrated on farming, and to initiate this endeavor, I require a capital of $200. I plan to raise this amount through a combination of profits from my motorcycle taxi business and the sale of goats. By leveraging these income sources, I aim to create a foundation for successful and resilient farming activities. This strategic approach not only ensures financial sustainability but also addresses the need for diversification in the face of climatic challenges. I am optimistic that, with careful planning and hard work, the coming year will bring about positive changes and increased food security for my family. The support from the motorcycle business and goat farming will serve as catalysts for the agricultural venture, contributing to a more stable and prosperous future."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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9 months ago
Roy
received a $276 second payment.
"I work as a motorcycle taxi rider, and I am currently single. Upon receiving my transfer, I made the decision to invest in initiating a sheep project with the goal of increasing my income. I am planning to settle down soon and start a family, and this project aligns with my long-awaited aspirations. The financial constraints I faced in the past made it challenging to fulfill this goal, as the daily income from my work is quite modest, and accumulating a lump sum was beyond my means. To kickstart the sheep project, I spent $190 to purchase three goats and invested $100 in constructing a proper sheep pen. Additionally, I used $120 to renovate my house, which involved plastering, and utilized the remaining $40 to carry out necessary repairs on my motorbike. Achieving this dream in such a short span of time is truly a dream come true for me, and I am immensely grateful for the timely and substantial support that has significantly uplifted my living standards."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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9 months ago
Shariff
received a $337 second payment.
"Looking ahead to the next two years, my ambitions are centered on expanding my current charcoal business into a thriving enterprise. I envision dealing in larger quantities and scaling up operations to meet the demands of a broader market. Simultaneously, I plan to venture into a new business realm selling plastic utensils, a venture I believe will bring additional stability and prosperity to my family. The seed capital for these ventures will be sourced from my current means of income, a motorcycle hustle that has sustained me thus far. With determination and strategic planning, I am confident that in two years, I'll be celebrating the realization of these aspirations, marking a significant step toward providing a better life for my family through successful and diversified business ventures."
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