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.
Kadzo's family
access_time 13 days ago
Kadzo received a $408 initial payment.
"When GiveDirectly enrolled me in their program, it was the first time I had ever owned a phone. However, operating a phone has been challenging for me because I am illiterate. I need assistance from my helper to use it. Despite this, I was determined to know when GiveDirectly would send me the cash they had promised. One day, while I was harvesting maize on my farm, my neighbour asked me whether I had received my money. I couldn't check because I didn't understand how to use the phone. When I got home, I called my son, who checked and confirmed that my first transfer had been sent. I was extremely happy, and I couldn't hold back my emotions. I have been living in a grass-thatched hut for most of my life, which is leaking and in poor condition. With the money I received, my priority was to build a decent iron-roofed house."
Kobilo's family
access_time 14 days ago
Kobilo received a $335 third payment.
"When I received my last transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to focus on building myself a better house. Before, I lived in a small, old mud-walled house. It was so worn that outsiders could see inside, and because of its condition, visitors refused to stay. Additionally, I had to cook outside since the house was too small, except during rain when I had to manage it somehow. I utilized $350 from the transfer and built a new room made of iron sheets for both walls and roofing. Now, I have a much better place to live and have turned the old house into a kitchen. Another big issue was my sleeping arrangements. I used to sleep on old rags, which was very uncomfortable. So, I bought a mattress costing $15 and to ensure I have food, I spent $45. Moreover, I set aside $50 to complete my fencing I had started with my second transfer which I ran out of money before completion. Thank you GiveDirectly for your support."
Karisa's family
access_time 14 days ago
Karisa received a second payment.
"The financial assistance from GiveDirectly arrived at a crucial moment of need, as I have been grappling with a serious illness that requires urgent medical attention. However, due to financial constraints, I couldn't gather the required funds all at once. My income primarily stems from seasonal farming, yielding around $90 per harvest, while my wife earns $150 monthly at a production company. Despite our combined efforts, these earnings barely suffice for our family's needs, especially considering the hefty school fees for our eight children, four of whom are in high school, three in primary school, and one awaiting college admission after completing high school. With medical expenses looming, I spent $350 for the impending treatment, utilizing the remainder to upgrade our home's roof from grass to iron sheets, amounting to $200. The prospect of finally addressing my long-standing illness brings immense relief, and I am profoundly grateful to GiveDirectly for extending a lifeline of hope during this challenging time."
Kadzo's family
access_time 15 days ago
Kadzo received a $25 twenty-second payment.
"Repairing the condition of my house is my primary focus at the moment. It looks worn-out, with its walls crumbled away, leaving only the support poles standing with gaps in between. The roof has rusted and decayed over time, exposing the inside of the house to the elements such as rainwater. My husband and I each save $20 from the transfers to reinstate the state of the house using new poles and iron sheets. The transfers are our only hope of achieving this desire because, being old, we are unable to work to raise the necessary funds for the exercise."
Mary's family
access_time 15 days ago
Mary received a $25 twenty-second payment.
"In the coming year and beyond, I desire to replace my tin roof with new iron sheets. Although the house was recently built, I had to use old iron sheets from the previous house, which have corroded over time and developed holes, allowing water to seep in when it rains. I would never want my new bed and mattress, obtained with the transfer funds, to be dampened and damaged by rainwater. That is why I plan to start saving towards purchasing new roofing materials. Additionally, I would prefer this responsibility to solely fall on my shoulders, as I do not wish to burden my son, who is already constrained by the school fees of his seven children. I am hopeful that the transfers will fully support this endeavor."
Kenga's family
access_time 15 days ago
Kenga received a $25 eighteenth payment.
"My intention is to buy a goat in the upcoming months. The objective is to increase the quantity and number of goats. Even when the aid is over, the goats will still be of assistance to me. In addition, I want to renovate my old roof and install new iron sheets in its place. There are no words to express how grateful I am for the support that the transfers are providing for me."
Rahel's family
access_time 15 days ago
Rahel enrolled.
"I have a family of nine members with seven being children. My husband and I does casual jobs making little income which caters for food and school fees. The casual jobs are not accessible all the time thus making the family goo without food. The family lives in a two room house that has rusted iron sheets roof and it leaks during rain season. I lack the capacity to renovate the house. I will use $200 to invest in agribusiness along the Galana river. This will assure me of sustainable income and also food security to the family. I will also use $500 to renovate my house by buying new iron sheets and change the roof."
Gladys's family
access_time 15 days ago
Gladys enrolled.
"I am a single mother of three living at my maternal home after divorcing my husband 20 years ago. I do casual jobs earning little income which caters for food. I live in a one room house which is not spacious though I lack the capacity to build one. I will use $200 to start a food kiosk business at the trading center. The market is good and I intend to make a profit of approximately $20 per day. I will also use $550 to build a two room house with iron sheets roof. The house will accommodate all my family since now my boys seek shelter from neighbors."
Kadii's family
access_time 16 days ago
Kadii received a $396 second payment.
"I reside in a small house with my 3 grandchildren, all attending school. This humble dwelling has posed considerable challenges as it has collapsed twice already, leaving me no choice but to prop it up as best I can, given my financial constraints. I therefore used $300 of the 2nd transfer from GiveDirectly to construct a 2 roomed house for us. While it's not yet complete, witnessing its progress fills us with hope and joy as we eagerly anticipate the comfort of sleeping in a warm and dry place during the rainy season unlike before when we endured the discomfort of a leaking roof and cold. I then spent $120 to clear a school fees debt for my grandchildren who had been sent home from school and were not to return until the debt was cleared. Resolving this issue ensured their return to school, allowing them to resume their studies without interruption. Lastly, I spent $90 of the remaining transfer towards settling a debt for a plot of land I had acquired earlier with the intentions of setting up rental houses that would help us in future. I am so grateful for GiveDirectly because my lost hope for the future of my family has been revived."
Kahunda's family
access_time 16 days ago
Kahunda received a $25 eighteenth payment.
"I have always desired a chance to build a new house. Mine is in a poor state. The grass-thatched roof has decayed over the years, and the big holes in it allow water in when it rains. I would have loved to build a new house when I started receiving cash transfers, but I was constrained by the school fees of my son Baraka. At that moment, I would have rather slept in a damp space than see my son miss school due to unpaid school fees. I am happy that he recently completed primary school, scoring a whopping 370 marks, which earned him a government sponsorship for his high school education. With this relief, I can go back to my goal of building a better house; one with an iron sheet roof and mud walls. I hope to start saving some of the cash transfers to effect this course."
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