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.
Safari's family
access_time 8 months ago
Safari received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"I aim to start rearing livestock like goats and chickens before the transfers end. Despite having some livestock before I started receiving cash aid, I haven't been able to increase their numbers due to financial constraints, including providing food and paying school fees for my three children. Besides, the money I raised from making charcoal barely allowed me to invest in more livestock. My goal is to expand my herd, particularly goats and cows, which I can sell in the future to generate school fees for my school-going children."
Kanyalu's family
access_time 8 months ago
Kanyalu received a $27 twenty-second payment.
"I spent $30 of my recent transfer to purchase three pieces of iron sheets to renovate my roof. The old and leaking iron sheets had weakened my entire house, so I plan to buy at least 28 pieces. So far, I have been able to acquire 10 pieces by buying them in bits. Once I have enough, I will start renovating the roof. Having a stable roof will mean that I no longer have to worry about rain, which has been my biggest concern for a while. Sometimes I am forced to seek shelter from other people due to the condition of my house. I also spent $70 on livestock, including two goats and two chickens. I currently own seven goats and ten chickens and plan to breed them and be able to generate income by selling them. I am currently selling snacks and vegetables as a small business, and owning livestock will supplement the income from this business. I have four children who are still in lower levels of education, and I plan to sell the livestock to cater for their education as they advance in the near future. I also paid $20 in fees for my children, which allowed them to stay in school without the risk of being sent home for lack of fees. This is a significant improvement from before when they would stay at home for days before I could raise the required amount. Finally, I used the remaining amount to pay for household expenses such as buying food and toiletries."
Zawadi's family
access_time 8 months ago
Zawadi received a $27 twenty-second payment.
"My aim is to purchase livestock, particularly goats and chickens so that I can rear them alongside my food kiosk business. I believe that they will provide an additional source of income for me. Currently, I own three goats and more than 18 birds, and my goal is to keep them and allow them to reproduce. I can then sell them to cater for my financial needs. Even when my children advance their education, I will not struggle to raise their fees, as I can comfortably sell the livestock to meet their education expenses. I am also planning to build my own house in the next year or so to live with my two young children. I am currently living in my parent's house despite having my own family."
Kabibi's family
access_time 8 months ago
Kabibi received a $27 eighteenth payment.
"I am excited that I have finally been able to purchase some livestock that I have been longing to keep in my compound. As a subsistence farmer with no source of income, owning these livestock will be a safety net for me to generate some money by selling them. With my recent transfers, I spent $65 to buy three ducks, three chickens, and a goat. I am thrilled to have these new additions to my livestock, and my hope is to allow them to multiply so I can sell the offspring to meet my financial needs. I feel financially empowered now that I own five goats and 11 chickens in total which I could not afford to buy on my own previously. I have five children who are currently in school, and my plan is to sell some of the livestock when the time comes for my children to advance their education. This will enable me to raise the necessary fees without struggling. I also paid $35 in school fees for my children with the remaining funds. It brings me great peace of mind to know that my children will no longer face the risk of being sent home for fees, which has been a constant struggle for me in the past. I am now able to plan adequately for them and provide them with the necessary support. With the remaining amount, I bought new clothes for my five children and some foodstuffs to ensure that my family is well-fed and can comfortably have three meals a day without struggling."
Kiptek's family
access_time 8 months ago
Kiptek received a $341 third payment.
"After getting $450 from GiveDirectly, I made a choice to invest it wisely. I decided to put some of it into buying a cow. This decision was important because it means I'll have a sustainable source of milk, which I usually buy every day. Milk can be expensive, and sometimes I struggle to afford it, especially since I only do casual jobs. With some of the money, I also started a poultry venture. I used $40 to get started and bought 40 chicks. This was a big step for me. I know that taking care of these chicks can lead to a good income in the future. But to make sure they are safe and easy to manage, I used $70 to build a proper space for them. I'm focusing on this poultry venture because it offers stability. By selling eggs and eventually chicken, I won't have to worry about where my next dollar will come from. It's not just about the money; it's about being prepared for emergencies in the future. Now, I feel like I'm on the right track. These investments give me hope for a better tomorrow. With hard work and dedication, I believe I can build a brighter future for myself and my family."
Saumu's family
access_time 8 months ago
Saumu received a $26 eighteenth payment.
"In the future, I aspire to expand my livestock, focusing on chickens and goats. These animals can be sold to cover basic needs like food and school fees for my children. Rearing livestock is an ideal option for me as I lack a reliable source of income, and they have the potential to multiply and grow over time. Having a livestock venture will not only support my family but also assist my husband in providing for our household. With the acquisition of three goats from the transfers, I now plan to diversify my herd by adding chickens to the mix."
Mwanajuma's family
access_time 8 months ago
Mwanajuma received a $26 thirtieth payment.
"I am planning to purchase more livestock, particularly chickens, goats, and a dairy cow, in the upcoming year and beyond. As I don't have a stable source of income to provide for my family's needs, I view these livestock as valuable assets that can help me during financial difficulties. Currently, I own 24 chickens, a turkey, and two guinea fowl that I acquired through transfers. I believe that owning these animals is the best alternative source of income to supplement my earnings from selling snacks. My plan is to breed them and let them multiply so that I can eventually sell them at a profit and settle my financial needs."
Kache's family
access_time 8 months ago
Kache received a $26 twenty-second payment.
"Over the past few months, I have endured severe rainstorms that have caused significant damage to my house. The house was built using local palm tree leaves for the rooftop, which has been destroyed by termites over time, resulting in uncontrollable leaks. Despite replacing the palm leaves, the situation has worsened, and I have decided to purchase iron sheets instead. To achieve this, I joined a merry-go-round with seven individuals from my village, where I contribute $10 monthly. Once my turn arrives, I will purchase the iron sheets. In addition to this, I also used $30 of my recent transfers to pay my children's school fees. I am a single parent, and I rely on selling local palm wine to support my family. However, competition has recently increased, and this has resulted in my profits declining. Despite this, I am grateful that my children are comfortably attending school and pursuing their educational goals. Furthermore, I also acquired a goat and four chickens for $42, which I am currently raising, intending to sell them to generate some income as they multiply. Since the chickens have a shorter maturity period, I can sell them faster than the goats. I plan to use the money to pay for my children's education and support my household needs."
Kachana's family
access_time 8 months ago
Kachana received a $26 twenty-second payment.
"I am grateful that I no longer have to worry about having enough food in my household. This has allowed me to focus on my children's education and invest in my farming activities. I had a good harvest, so I won't have to spend much on food for the coming months. My priority now is to pay my children's school fees on time, as I do not have a stable source of income and rely mostly on selling charcoal, which does not pay much. I have six children in school, so the transfers I receive are crucial to ensuring that they have a seamless academic journey. Additionally, I plan to buy more chickens and breed them to multiply their numbers. I believe that this project will help me overcome the financial hurdles in my household by providing a source of income by selling the chickens."
Mwenda's family
access_time 8 months ago
Mwenda received a $26 eighteenth payment.
"I am pleased that the recent transfers have been a great help in ensuring the continuity of my children's education. With the fees paid on time, they no longer face any interruptions. My goal is to provide them with the best education possible, despite my financial difficulties. Furthermore, I also plan to venture into livestock keeping, and I have already purchased a goat and two chickens with the recent transfer. To me, livestock are valuable assets that I can sell when I am in a financial need. Therefore, I intend to invest more in them. I recently joined a merry-go-round group comprising six people, where I save $10 monthly. When my turn comes, I plan to use the savings to buy more goats, rear them, let them multiply, and eventually grow my herd."
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