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.
Unice's family
access_time 2 days ago
Unice received a $26 fourteenth payment.
"This year, I aim to expand my goat herd by acquiring more goats. I intend to use my savings as well as my coming transfers for this purpose. Having a plentiful number of goats will leave a lasting legacy even after the project concludes, ensuring the well-being of my family and enabling me to provide a comfortable education for my children. I am profoundly thankful to this organization for the transformative impact it has had on my life."
Dama's family
access_time 2 days ago
Dama received a $26 eighteenth payment.
"My goal for this year is to start raising goats, a promising venture that has assured profits. I plan to utilize the upcoming transfers to make this endeavor a reality. With this initiative, I'll be better equipped to cover my children's educational expenses and also provide food for my family. Having this project will give me much-needed relief and peace of mind. I am sincerely grateful for the assistance, and I don't know where I would be without your support."
Esther's family
access_time 3 days ago
Esther received a $342 third payment.
"Initially, I struggled financially and couldn't support myself or my family adequately. However, everything changed when I began receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly. This support allowed me to plan wisely—I bought goats, invested more in farming, and managed to pay school fees. The enrollment process conducted by GiveDirectly was impressively fair and free from discrimination; everyone had an equal chance to be enrolled, and there was no fee involved, which promoted equity. Initially, many rumors and negative notions were circulating about GiveDirectly in our community. Thankfully, the organization held a Baraza meeting, which was incredibly enlightening. At the meeting, they educated us about the genuine intentions and operations of GiveDirectly. This clear communication helped dispel our doubts and fears, making me feel confident and secure about enrolling in their program. I truly hope GiveDirectly continues with this transparent and inclusive approach, as it has made a significant difference in my life and the lives of many in our community."
Purity's family
access_time 3 days ago
Purity received a $26 twenty-second payment.
"My husband works as a mason to support our family, but his income barely covers our needs. Previously, accessing food and water was a challenge, but I'm grateful that our circumstances have improved. We are now able to meet our basic expenses such as food, water, and clothing. With the transfers received, I allocated $25 to purchase a small goat, intending to rear it for future profits. Utilizing the remaining $9, I purchased essential household items that were depleted. Additionally, $34 was dedicated to facilitating my father's burial expenses, after he passed away in February. Furthermore, I used $34 to purchase iron roofing sheets for renovation purposes as my house suffered damage during the heavy rains. These transfers have empowered me to realize my goals, and for that, I am sincerely grateful."
Jumaa's family
access_time 3 days ago
Jumaa received a $26 twenty-sixth payment.
"For the past decade, I have worked as a mason to provide for my family of seven. Life hasn't always been easy; we've faced challenges, particularly when I did not have a steady job and my wife was not employed. However, I'm grateful that things have taken a positive turn. I have ventured into livestock rearing and poultry keeping, which has proven successful. Additionally, these transfers have enabled me to educate my children. With the transfers received, I prioritized settling my children's school fees debt, allocating $30 for this purpose. Additionally, $14 went towards purchasing food, addressing our immediate needs. Recognizing the importance of adequate clothing, I spent $19 to buy clothes for my wife. Moreover, I invested $21 in acquiring a goat and a chicken, which I plan to sell later at a profit. I also set aside $10 for savings and used the remaining amount to buy essential items for my family. I find immense joy in being able to support my family through these transfers."
Chengo's family
access_time 3 days ago
Chengo received a $26 twenty-sixth payment.
"My wife and I support our family of ten by selling charcoal and extracting tree stumps. It has not been easy providing for our large family, as we have often lacked food and money for school fees, and we also did not have a safe place to live in. However, I am pleased to share that I am currently constructing a new, larger house for my family. From the transfers received, I used $34 to purchase iron roofing sheets for the construction of our new home. Additionally, I saved $10 through our local savings club and used $20 to settle a pending school fees debt ensuring that my children continue with their education. The remaining $38 was spent on acquiring three chickens and a goat, which I plan to raise and sell later. This assistance from this program has truly been a blessing, bringing me immense happiness and hope for our family's future."
Victoria's family
access_time 3 days ago
Victoria received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"My husband works as a mason to support our family of six, as I currently don't have any source of income. Previously, we faced difficulties, struggling to afford food and school fees when my husband was unemployed. However, since we started receiving these transfers, I have noticed significant changes. I can now comfortably cover school fees, purchase essential household items like food, and even save for the future. Out of the transfers received, I allocated $59 to purchase two goats and a chicken, which I plan to rear and sell later on at a profit. The remaining $28 was used to buy food, as we were in need. Additionally, I allocated $15 to clear a school fee debt for my children, allowing them to continue with their studies. Being a beneficiary of this program has allowed me to plan more effectively, and I am sincerely grateful for this opportunity to improve our lives."
Kahunda's family
access_time 3 days ago
Kahunda received a $27 twenty-second payment.
"My aim this year is to build a substantial livestock herd. I plan to allocate a considerable portion of my transfer funds toward acquiring more livestock, especially sheep and goats. Once the herd reaches a sufficient size, I intend to establish a livestock sales business. With the profits from this venture, I will be able to lead a comfortable life. I express deep gratitude to this organization for its financial support, and I eagerly anticipate a brighter future ahead."
Mercy's family
access_time 4 days ago
Mercy received a $346 third payment.
"Receiving my last transfer, I prioritized my children's school fees, two of whom had significant arrears of $360 and $250. I managed to reduce these by paying $100 each, ensuring their education is crucial to me, especially since I had to drop out of school at the elementary level due to financial constraints. This made it tough to find formal employment, further motivating me to ensure my children have better opportunities in the future. In addition, I invested in three goats for $100 to help provide milk for my family. Since buying milk has been too costly, we often rely on just strong tea and porridge. The goats are for milk and as they reproduce, they can be sold and address needs like school fees. Besides doing casual jobs with my husband to sustain our family of seven, I'm also a small-scale farmer, but I haven’t had a successful harvest in five years due to climate challenges resulting in food insecurity. To address this, I bought two bags of maize for $50. To ensure future sustainability, I planted ten mango trees at $100 each. Mangoes thrive here and don't need much water, and with brokers regularly visiting to buy, they represent a potential stable income after three years. To protect these new plantings, I spent $6000 on 20 fence posts, adding to previously purchased wire mesh, to secure the farm. With the remaining $30, I bought new clothes for my children, whose old clothes were worn out. Thank you GiveDirectly for your support."
Tarkok's family
access_time 6 days ago
Tarkok received a $353 third payment.
"At my advanced age, I never imagined I wouldd be making significant changes in my household, as I always expected my children to take over and ensure I aged gracefully. However, the entry of GiveDirectly into our village seems to have rejuvenated me, allowing me to fulfill long-held aspirations with their financial support. After investing the first two transfers in various projects, I allocated $200 from the final transfer to obtain construction materials, including sand, 12 bags of cement, and transportation costs for renovating my house's dusty floors. Previously, cleaning was a challenge, often complicated by infestations of fleas from livestock and pets. Now, I am delighted that the house is clean and easy to maintain, with just a cloth and water. I also made several other improvements, such as purchasing a new mattress for $28, four plastic chairs for $28, and other household items totaling $37. Since then, I have enjoyed comfortable sleep on my new mattress and feel more confident hosting visitors with ample seating. Additionally, I used $25 to seek medical attention when unwell, purchased a sack of maize for $50 to sustain my family of three, bought a goat for $50 to add to my existing herd, and still managed to save $30 for future household needs. I am profoundly grateful for this generous support, which has significantly improved our lives and filled us with hope for the future."
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