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.
Zawadi's family
access_time 29 days ago
Zawadi received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"I successfully built a house for my sons, as I had promised, using my monthly transfers from GiveDirectly. In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to build a single-room house for my daughters, as it’s important for them to have their own space and privacy. In addition, I’m focused on a project to buy goats, giving me two key goals for the upcoming year. As a member of a merry-go-round group, I plan to save part of my transfers and invest in goats when my turn comes. Since goats multiply quickly, I’ll sell some to build up my savings, which will help me purchase building materials. Once I complete the project of building my daughters' house, I’ll shift my focus to buying a cow. Although buying a cow outright is challenging due to the high cost, this strategy will allow me to acquire one over time."
Paul's family
access_time 29 days ago
Paul received a $348 second payment.
"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with happiness and gratitude because they sent the transfer without delay, allowing me to move forward with my plans. I used $360 to buy a cow, as I previously didn't have one. This will help me cut down on the cost of buying milk, which will be very beneficial for my family in the long run. With $73, I invested in farming by purchasing bean seeds that I had already planted on one acre of land. This amount also allowed me to service my water pump, which I will use for irrigation. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I can get back into farming, and with irrigation, I know this will be a sustainable way to provide for my family. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to improve my livelihood."
Melvin's family
access_time 29 days ago
Melvin received a $348 second payment.
"This year and in the years to come, my goal is to increase the stock in my kiosk shop and to buy a cow. These two investments will help boost my income, enabling me to meet my family’s specific needs without financial strain. With the additional income, I will be able to provide for my family more comfortably and ensure we have enough food. Beyond that, I plan to venture into crop farming using the profits from my business. These steps will create a more stable source of income and improve our overall quality of life."
James's family
access_time 30 days ago
James received a $27 twenty-seventh payment.
"As I mentioned earlier, my house needed reinforcement to withstand the harsh weather conditions we face in our region, including strong winds. I am currently in the process of construction, and my plans for this year and beyond is to continue using a portion of my transfers to ensure my family has a strong and lasting home. I want to create a safe environment where we won’t have to worry about renovations or the possibility of the house collapsing in the future. In addition to my home improvement plans, I also want to save another portion of my transfers in our local savings group. My goal is to buy more goats, hoping they will multiply over time. I envision trading some of them for female cows, which can also increase in number and provide us with even more opportunities for income. Ultimately, I plan to sell some of the cows and goats and save the proceeds in my bank account. This will give me a financial cushion for when I need it most, particularly for my children’s education and to invest in my livestock-selling business. I am incredibly grateful for this support, as it enables me to pursue my dreams for my family and secure a better future for us all."
Agnes's family
access_time 30 days ago
Agnes received a $27 twenty-seventh payment.
"Now that my two children are in their final year of secondary school and preparing for their final exams, I am relieved to know that I can redirect my transfers to other opportunities since I am getting a little break from paying school fees. In the coming year and beyond, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to buy goats, hoping they will multiply and increase in number and value. My goal is to eventually trade some of them for female cows, which would also multiply, providing me with a reliable source of income as my children transition into college and as this program comes to an end. I am very thankful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has made all this possible."
Irine's family
access_time 30 days ago
Irine received a second payment.
"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I was excited, as it was finally time to put my plans into action. I used $250 to buy a cow, something I had always needed but never owned before. This cow will provide my family with milk and, as it multiplies, will create additional avenues for income generation. Additionally, I spent $100 to buy two sheep. Owning livestock has always been a dream of mine, and now that I have these sheep, I can confidently face emergencies, knowing they will grow and provide income that will help educate my four children. With that done, I turned my focus to the farm, which had been destroyed by recent floods. I wanted to restart farming, so I used $30 to prepare half an acre of land for planting maize and beans. This farming effort will not only solve my family’s food challenges but will also allow me to sell the surplus to pay school fees for my children. Lastly, I spent $50 on food, as the floods had left us without a harvest, making it difficult to put food on the table. This money allowed us to have enough food during a difficult time. I am incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for the support, which has significantly improved our lives."
Kahindi's family
access_time 1 month ago
Kahindi received a $27 thirty-second payment.
"In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to complete the construction of the house. I plan to save my future transfers to fully pay the mason’s labor fees, ensuring the work can continue smoothly until the house is finished. Moving into our new home will be a moment of great pride and joy for me. After the house is completed, my next goal is to invest in livestock. Currently, I have two cows and five goats, and I hope to grow my herd. As the livestock multiply, they will provide a good return on my initial investment, and I’ll be able to sell some for income in the future. I’m incredibly grateful for the financial support from GiveDirectly, which has been instrumental in helping me move closer to my goals and secure a better life for my family."
Changawa's family
access_time 1 month ago
Changawa received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"In the coming year and beyond, I am determined to focus on investing in goat farming to secure my future. I plan to continue saving $10 monthly at the merry-go-round group that we formed. As I accumulate the money, I will buy goats once my turn of getting the money reaches. The choice of goats over cows is a strategic one; goats are more affordable to acquire and maintain, making them an ideal investment for my current financial situation. My passion for goat farming fuels my drive, and with careful planning and consistent effort, I am confident that I will achieve my goals and create a thriving agricultural venture."
Onesmas's family
access_time 1 month ago
Onesmas received a $347 second payment.
"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I was incredibly excited because I knew this opportunity could change my life for the better. I used $120 to lease one acre of land in the Parkera irrigation scheme, something I couldn’t afford before due to a lack of capital. I plan to plant maize there, which is a strategic investment since water for irrigation will be available. My goal is to use the money from selling the harvest to fulfill my dream of getting married and having a wedding. I also used $200 to buy a cow, which will be very important as it will provide milk for my family. This will save me the daily expense of buying milk. Additionally, I spent $80 to buy two sheep, which will be useful in times of emergency and will help ensure a sustainable income for my family. At the time, my family was also facing a serious food crisis, so I used $50 to buy food. This has allowed me to focus on other things without worrying about our immediate needs."
Herbert's family
access_time 1 month ago
Herbert received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to own a dairy cow. The economic benefits of owning one are enticing, and I am motivated to make this dream a reality. Although dairy cows are expensive, I have developed a plan to achieve this goal. With the transfers I receive, I will continue to purchase goats. Once my goats multiply, I will sell some and use the profits to buy the dairy cow. This process will take time, but I am confident that I will accomplish this goal in the end. I am incredibly happy and appreciative of the financial support from the transfers, which has transformed my livestock business and allowed me to aim for greater success."
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