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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1 year ago
Maria
received a $283 second payment.
"In the upcoming years, I aspire to immerse myself in the world of farming. This endeavor holds the promise of not only providing a steady income but also ensuring an abundant supply of food to sustain my family of ten. With eight children to care for and their education being a top priority, the earnings from farming will play a pivotal role in covering their school fees.Embracing a life centered around agriculture not only signifies financial stability but also serves as a means of liberating my husband and me from the unpredictability of casual jobs. As we cultivate the land, we envision a future where the fruits of our labor not only nourish our loved ones but also pave the way for a more secure and sustainable future."
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1 year ago
Antonina
received a $334 second payment.
"Upon receiving a recent transfer, I strategically allocated the funds for maximum impact. I invested $47 in buying chickens, knowing they multiply quickly and have a ready market. This not only provided a sustainable income source but also made them easily manageable. Wanting the best for my children, I spent $90 on new school bags and uniforms, replacing their old ones. Realizing the importance of self-sufficiency, I allocated $55 to invest in agriculture, specifically planting maize, ensuring a future harvest for sufficient food at my homestead. Prioritizing a basic need, I spent $150 on solar energy, upgrading from relying on phone lights. Showing compassion, I gave $80 to my husband for his first wife's food, acknowledging their dire situation. Finally, I used the remaining funds to buy myself a smartphone because I had given my husband the phone that I was given from GiveDirectly."
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1 year 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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1 year ago
Hellen
received a $126 initial payment.
"I was in my maize farm when the message about $200 from GiveDirectly popped up. It felt like a prayer answered because my maize was in need of fertilizer. Instantly, I knew what I had to do. I allocated $120 for the much-needed fertilizer, ensuring my crops would grow healthy and strong.
Another immediate concern was clean water. Before, we used to drink water from the river, and it was affecting my kids' health, causing illnesses like typhoid. So, I set aside $80 to buy clean water. It wasn't just about the crops; it was about the well-being of my family.
The feeling was pure joy. It meant my farm would thrive, and my kids would have access to clean water, promoting good health. This unexpected support wasn't just money; it was a solution to two pressing challenges, making a tangible difference in our daily lives."
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1 year ago
Sammy
received a $113 initial payment.
"The day the $200 from GiveDirectly arrived, I was at home with my three kids – two boys and a girl. As a single father, the weight on my shoulders often felt heavy. When that money notification came, a wave of relief swept over me. My immediate thought was my boys' education. With $80, I managed to ease the burden of their school fees. Before, they were at risk of being sent back home, but now, they're still in school.
$55 was earmarked for something equally crucial, food. We were running low, and the money came just in time. It was like a helping hand exactly when we needed it. The feeling was indescribable a mix of gratitude and reassurance. This small windfall wasn't just about money; it was about keeping my family's dreams alive and ensuring there was food on the table. The impact of that transfer was a lifeline, a reminder that even in the toughest times, there can be moments of unexpected kindness."
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1 year ago
Namakanda
received a $616 initial payment.
"There is a big difference in my life, my level has been raised, I afforded the cloth of 3"
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1 year ago
Sharlet
received a $22 twenty-first payment.
"As a newly married woman I know that I will grow my family and have children. I would want to have the financial capacity to take care of my family as it grows even as my husband provides. I decided on the grocery business as food is something people have all the time. I knew I would have business all year round and so I knew that was the best business to invest in. I plan to expand this business further using the Givedirectly transfers. I want to add more things so that in the process I can get to a point where I am selling most things."
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1 year 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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1 year 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."
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1 year ago
Amina
received a $22 twenty-first payment.
"I have 8 children who are school going. This is a big number to manage with our finances as parents since our jobs/ business is unpredictable. I would want all of them to attend school and finish to a secondary level. I know that can only be made possible by increasing our income. We are starting a chicken business where we sell and buy chicken. I now have 15 chicken and this I hope to increase in number until I have more animals. I believe with this I will be able to increase my income and ensure I am able to take the children to school without a struggle."
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