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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10 months ago
Emmy
received a $276 second payment.
"The cash transfers have proven to be incredibly beneficial in supporting my efforts to finance the education of my two daughters, who are currently in secondary school. Before, paying their school fees was a significant challenge, given that my main source of income comes from small-scale maize farming. Additionally, my spouse contributes by operating a motorcycle taxi, but the earnings are limited, averaging around $8 per day, which is too little to cater for both our daily needs and education. I am genuinely delighted that $200 from the transfer allowed me to cover all the fees for this term. This has brought a sense of relief, knowing that my children's education will not face disruptions for the entire term, and I am hopeful that they will excel in their studies. The timing of the funds during the festive season also allowed me to allocate $80 to purchase new clothes for my six children. This not only adhered to our tradition of wearing new clothes during Christmas but also brought joy to their faces, unlike the previous Christmas when they wore old clothes due to financial constraints. Furthermore, I invested part of the transfer, $50, in upgrading my home's furnishings. I added two-seater sofas to replace an old, broken seat, enhancing the overall look and comfort of my house. The remaining amount was wisely utilized to buy food for my family, ensuring their immediate needs were met."
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10 months ago
Ezekiel
received a $276 third payment.
"GiveDirectly has been doing well in providing financial support and assistance to individuals in need. However, one issue that arose in our area was the brewing of alcohol. Unfortunately, this led to delays in the distribution of transfers, affecting even those who were innocent in the matter. It became a challenge for everyone receiving support.
Fortunately, the issue has been addressed and resolved, bringing relief to the community. The delay caused by the alcohol problem is now behind us, and everyone is now able to receive their transfers without hindrance. It's reassuring that the situation has been resolved, allowing individuals to move forward and manage their financial support without unnecessary obstacles."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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10 months ago
Kevin
received a $276 third payment.
"GiveDirectly is doing well in my opinion. The support they provide has made a positive impact on my life, allowing me to achieve significant improvements. The assistance has been effective, addressing my immediate needs and empowering me to make positive changes. As for improvement, I don't have any specific suggestions. I appreciate the positive impact they've had on my life, and I believe they are already doing a great job in their current programs."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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10 months ago
Neema
received a $21 eighteenth payment.
"I've diligently set aside my recent transfers with the goal of acquiring a goat. After accumulating $55, I successfully made the purchase, marking the fulfillment of a longstanding desire to possess assets that can serve as a financial safety net. Initially having one goat, I now boast a total of two, with aspirations to foster their reproduction and establish a growing herd. Considering the responsibilities of supporting my young family, including children in primary school who depend on me, I recognize the potential challenges ahead. While my current income from selling chapati every morning sustains us for now, it may not cover all future educational expenses. My husband's income from motorcycle services, though helpful, isn't sufficient either. Therefore, the acquisition of livestock serves as a strategic advantage. In addition to the goats, I invested $4 in purchasing poultry, aiming to develop a thriving poultry project. Presently, I manage 18 birds, anticipating that they will contribute to supplementing our income. With a child starting school, I diligently saved a larger portion of the transfers over the past months to cover expenses such as new school uniforms and timely payment of fees. I am pleased that my children are comfortably enrolled in school because of the transfers since I saved enough for this purpose."
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10 months ago
Jumaa
received a $21 eighteenth payment.
"Allocating a significant sum of $64, I covered the school fees for both my wife and son. My wife's pursuit of a tailoring course is aimed at acquiring skills to generate supplementary income, complementing my earnings as a motorcycle taxi driver. Her anticipated completion of the two-year course in December brings me great satisfaction, as her newfound skills will significantly benefit our family. Furthermore, I settled my son's school fee arrears and made a partial payment for the current term, ensuring his uninterrupted education. During the festive season, I allocated $20 to purchase new clothes for my son, enhancing his appearance and confidence. With the remaining $14, I procured food provisions to partake in joyful celebrations with my family. The invaluable financial support we've received has notably enhanced the quality of life for my family."
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11 months ago
Baraka
received a $22 twenty-first payment.
"My aspiration for this year is to build a bigger and better house for my family of 3. I will be able to live comfortably with an inevitably growing family."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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11 months ago
Robert
received a $334 second payment.
"As a solar agent primarily compensated through commissions, I serve as the financial provider for my wife and younger siblings who are still attending school. In a favorable month, my earnings amount to $240. However, a significant portion, $80, is allocated to transportation costs as I often sell solar lamps and panels in locations distant from my residence. Consequently, I am left with only $160, which proves insufficient to sustain my family for an entire month. Fortunately, GiveDirectly played a focal
role in realizing my aspiration of owning a motorcycle. Upon receiving the second transfer, I utilized $530 from the funds, along with some cash I had saved from the initial transfer, to acquire my own red motorbike. I believe this investment will enable me to save a considerable portion of my business income, alleviating the financial strain on my family. I am pleased to no longer bear the burden of covering transportation expenses for my family, allowing me to redirect the saved funds towards addressing other essential needs within the household."
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11 months ago
Mbengu
received a $346 initial payment.
"The most significant transformation in my life since receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly revolves around my newfound ability to provide adequately for my family. This shift is most palpable in the realm of nourishment. Previously, securing enough food was a perpetual struggle, especially during planting seasons when our energy reserves needed to be at their peak for optimal productivity on the farm. In the context of a polygamous marriage where financial resources were strained due to the temporary nature of my husband's motorcycle job, our circumstances were particularly challenging. The intermittent income wasn't sufficient to keep our kitchen well-stocked, and the repercussions were severe malnutrition among my children, a source of profound pain for me as a parent. The relief that came with the cash transfers was transformative. It meant no more reliance on borrowed food from neighbors, alleviating the discomfort that had become a routine part of our lives. Now, as a parent, I find joy in being able to meet my family's nutritional needs independently. The economic boost from GiveDirectly not only banished the specter of hunger but also revitalized our energy levels, ensuring that we approach each day, especially the crucial planting seasons, with strength and vigor. In a broader sense, the cash transfers have injected hope and resilience into our lives."
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11 months ago
Mwanajuma
received a $22 twenty-first payment.
"I have a grocery stall that I set up using Givediorectly transfers. My husband is a motorcycle rider. We make a decent living though not sufficient to take care of the roof that needed replacement. The house needed ten of the roof replaced and only 4 are replace that means we have 6 more to buy which will need approximately $60 to buy. My plan is to slowly buy this roofing sheets over a period of time and then repairing the roof entirely. I also have plans of starting a chicken business and I hope to use this transfers to also achieve this goal."
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11 months ago
Karisa
received a $22 twenty-first payment.
"My wife has been jobless and I have been the only one making an income. I used to get motorcycle riding jobs on casual basis but they did not pay much as most of the money I got went into paying the owner and fuelling. I wanted to buy my own motorcycle so as to reduce this expenses. I now own the motorcycle though on loan. I am now in the city running the business to make an income. I hope to be able to pay for the motorcycle fully from the proceeds of working with it while paying my savings group loan using the transfers."
(Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)
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