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.
Kazingu's family
access_time 1 day ago
Kazingu received a $27 twenty-fifth payment.
"My house has become quite cramped since my grandchildren and I are now living here together after their father's passing. The limited space has made it difficult for all of us to be comfortable. To address this, I’ve set a new goal: to add another room to ensure we have enough space for everyone. Right now, some of my grandchildren have to sleep in uncomfortable places, and I want to change that. To achieve this, I've decided to save approximately $10 each month. In a few months, I hope to have enough funds to buy the necessary materials. Even though this may take some time, I’m confident that I can reach my goal since I am fully committed to it. Once the room is completed, I will feel relieved knowing that my grandchildren and I can live comfortably together under one roof."
Kahunda's family
access_time 1 day ago
Kahunda received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"I have an important goal that has been giving me headaches for a while: renovating my roof. Currently, it's a grassy one, and it has been a constant struggle, especially during the rainy seasons. We end up getting rained on as if we were outside, leaving me with no peace at all. My belongings have been repeatedly damaged, and it’s been beyond my control. Now, I’ve decided to save a portion of my cash transfer each month, putting aside $10 for this purpose. Even if it takes years, I’m determined to reach this goal. Once I accomplish it, I won’t have to worry about the harsh weather anymore, and I’ll have peace of mind about my family's safety at home."
Mtumwa's family
access_time 1 day ago
Mtumwa received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"My house has become so worn that whenever it rains, water leaks in due to the old and damaged roof. This situation has caused me sleepless nights, as I worry that my family and I will be exposed to rain and cold nights during the long rains. I have set a goal to renovate the roof and install a new one. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my monthly cash transfers and receive additional support from my sons. In a few months, I plan to complete the renovation. This will ensure we stay dry during the rain and protect my family from future risks, such as physical harm due to the deteriorating roof."
Salma's family
access_time 1 day ago
Salma received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"I have established a small animal farm, where I currently raise chickens, sheep, and goats. Unfortunately, while my poultry project was thriving, an outbreak occurred that wiped out almost all of my chickens, leaving only two survivors. At present, I have 5 goats and 3 sheep as part of my livestock project. Both my goats and chickens have had offspring. My plan is to prepare for the future as I have a two-year-old child who has not yet started school. I anticipate needing funds when she does, so I aim to build a larger herd that will allow me to sell animals to ensure she can enroll in school and complete her education, even after the Givediretly program ends. Therefore, in the coming year and beyond, I intend to use my transfers to invest in livestock, focusing on goat and sheep farming alongside poultry operations."
Sammy's family
access_time 1 day ago
Sammy received a $349 second payment.
"Goats had been causing constant trouble, sneaking into my compound and damaging my farm. When I received the cash transfer, I used $100 to buy wire mesh to secure the area. This small investment brought me peace, knowing my crops are now protected, and it feels like a real improvement in our daily lives. I also spent $120 on a cow, hoping that when it gives birth, we’ll have milk for ourselves and possibly extra to sell. The cow feels like a lasting reminder of GiveDirectly’s support, something that adds stability to our family. Another major expense was school fees, for which I used $150. Previously, we relied on fundraisers to keep our children in school, which was stressful. This transfer allowed me to pay the fees directly, lifting a huge burden. Education is very important to us, and we’re grateful to GiveDirectly for making it easier for our children to stay focused on their studies.The remaining funds went to my wife, who bought food and other essentials we lacked. Together, we manage a small farm, but as we get older, we increasingly depend on our children’s help. Life was challenging before the cash transfer; we would sometimes have maize from our farm but no money on hand. Now, with GiveDirectly’s support, we feel relief and hope, with resources to help us improve our lives bit by bit."
Dennis's family
access_time 1 day ago
Dennis received a $155 initial payment.
"The biggest change in my life after receiving the transfer is that I now have goats that give us milk, something I never imagined owning. Before, I depended only on casual jobs, which barely covered our food, let alone allowed me to save or invest in anything long-term. The idea of buying livestock felt impossible because we were always focused on just getting by. But now, thanks to the money from GiveDirectly, I have these goats, which give us a steady supply of milk and help reduce our expenses. This small investment feels like a step toward a more secure future. Having goats also gives me hope that I can continue building a better life for my family, something I didn’t think was possible before."
Rose's family
access_time 1 day ago
Rose received a $349 second payment.
"For the coming years and beyond, I want to invest fully in farming, both in crops and livestock rearing. I see this as the best way to secure food for my family and ensure my children can stay in school without interruption. By growing crops, I’ll be able to provide for our daily needs and, hopefully, sell any surplus for extra income. Raising livestock will give us a safety net, as they can be sold if unexpected expenses arise. My goal is to create a stable source of support through farming, one that we can rely on as my children grow. This way, I can give them the education I didn’t have and build a stronger future for our family."
Kenga's family
access_time 1 day ago
Kenga received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"We are going through incredibly tough times right now. The dry spell has stretched on and on, bringing severe drought, and leaving us all facing hunger. This year, with things as they are, my priority is to keep using my transfers to buy food and water so my family can get by until the rains finally come and we can hopefully harvest enough to fill our stores again. Also, looking ahead, I dream of building something sustainable for my future. Once the drought conditions improve, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to buy more goats, adding to the small herd that I already have. I envision these goats multiplying over time, giving me a source of income that I can lean on in the future when this program eventually comes to an end. Additionally, managing my health is another important goal. I plan to keep using a portion of my transfers to buy my monthly medication so I can take care of myself and stay strong. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to GiveDirectly for this support. It is not just helping us get through these challenging days but it is also giving me hope and a chance to build a future I can rely on."
Dama's family
access_time 1 day ago
Dama received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"I have always dreamt of having a proper bed and a mattress to rest on, especially since I am currently sleeping on a bed made of ropes with no mattress on it making it very uncomfortable. Finally, I managed to pay off the bed, but now I’m focused on saving up for a mattress. Recently, I was able to complete payments for the bed that I wanted. Now, my plan for this coming year is to set aside a portion of my transfers, little by little, until I have enough to buy a comfortable mattress. Just imagining having a comfortable place to sleep fills me with hope and gratitude. After that, I want to use part of my transfers to buy goats, adding to the few I already have hoping that they will multiply and increase in number and value so that in the future I may have something to rely on. Additionally, with my health being a concern at my age, I also plan to dedicate part of my transfers to seeking medical care and ensuring I can manage my nutrition so I can live as healthily as possible. I feel incredibly thankful for the support I get from GiveDirectly."
Nzingo's family
access_time 1 day ago
Nzingo received a $27 twenty-second payment.
"With my dream of owning livestock, my plan for this coming year and beyond is to save a portion of my transfers that I receive from GiveDirectly so that once I accumulate enough funds, I may use them to buy more goats and chicken, hoping that they will multiply and grow in both number and value, providing me with a reliable source of income support in the future. In the meantime, given the ongoing drought and hunger we are facing, I plan to continue using another portion of my transfers to continue buying food and water. This is very crucial for us to avoid going hungry until this drought passes. I am determined to secure a better future for my family, and I truly appreciate the support that makes this possible."