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
Betty
received a $119 initial payment.
"I was at my workplace when I received a message from GiveDirectly, and after reading it, I realized I had received my first transfer. It was an exciting moment not only for me but also for my co-workers who had received similar messages simultaneously. After confirming that the messages were indeed the confirmation of the receipt of the first transfer, we celebrated and reminded ourselves of the promises we had made to our families about what we would accomplish once we received the transfers. After work, everyone headed home, and I was eager to inform my husband, who was equally excited about the news he had been eagerly anticipating. We had planned everything, and without delay, we withdrew the money the following morning from the nearby shopping center and started purchasing the essential household goods we had listed. We were grateful to see the immediate impact of the transfer within the first two days of receiving it."
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1 year ago
Cyrene
received a $297 second payment.
"GiveDirectly has provided us with the most exceptional support I have ever received in my life. Since the program's inception, I have witnessed numerous positive changes, not only in my own household but also in others that received support. I have always hoped that GiveDirectly could visit our village to see the tremendous progress we have achieved since we began receiving the transfers. Everything they promised was delivered on time, and currently, no one in our village has any complaints, only gratitude to the organization for their incredible work and support. We have had the opportunity to use the cash support for what we truly wished to achieve, unlike in previous cases where we received material goods that often didn't serve our needs. I sincerely hope that GiveDirectly will continue to provide the same level of service to other villages still awaiting support. Through this, the entire community can transform, becoming self-reliant through the investments they are making."
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1 year ago
Dama
enrolled.
"I have lived as a squatter for over ten years now. This has affected me in my development agenda. I cannot do anything to develop myself here."
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1 year ago
Bendera
enrolled.
"My husband died in August this year and I talk over the duty of raising the family alone. I have no job and relying on casual jobs for food and school fees for my children. It has not been easy for me infact my daughter did not join secondary school this year due to lack of school fees. Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life."
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1 year ago
Dama
received a $23 fourteenth payment.
"In the upcoming year, my primary objective is to restore my deteriorating house, which has fallen into a state of disrepair. The presence of numerous gaping holes in the wall corners has led to frequent snake invasions, creating a hazardous situation for my family. To rectify this pressing issue, I intend to allocate my forthcoming transfers towards the purchase of cement, enabling me to undertake the necessary repairs on the house. The prospect of resolving this problem fills me with immense joy, as it guarantees a safe and secure living environment for my family"
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1 year ago
Sidi
received a $23 seventeenth payment.
"The house is my most significant aspiration, and I've been diligently saving a portion of my earnings each month to achieve this goal. My ultimate objective is to experience living in a house with an iron roof, something I've never had the opportunity to do before. Until now, I had only admired such houses in my neighbors' homes, but I'm thrilled and glad that I've managed to purchase 18 iron sheets, and I'm working towards acquiring the remaining 80 building materials. I am deeply grateful and appreciative of the support I've received. Constructing an iron-roofed house will alleviate the constant worry of getting rained on, as my current grass-thatched house tends to leak during rainy weather. I aspire to spend my golden years in a comfortable and secure environment where health is a top priority."
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1 year ago
Zawadi
received a $364 initial payment.
"When I received my transfers, I spent $450 on house construction, a long-awaited project that I had been dreaming of for a while. Our current living situation was far too cramped for my family of six, and the prospect of having a spacious and comfortable two-room house was both a necessity and a dream come true. Additionally, I spent $68.8 to cover school fees, ensuring that my children's education remained a top priority. The rest of the funds went towards providing food for my family, helping us meet our daily needs. I earn my livelihood through a water vending business, a venture that has supported my family and me. With the changes brought about by the transfers, I could not help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement and accomplishment. The realization of my dreams, especially in the form of a larger and more comfortable home, had finally become a reality, and it filled me with gratitude and happiness for the promising future ahead."
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1 year ago
Patrick
received a $364 initial payment.
"I received a message while I was at home, taking a well deserved break after tilling the land. The SMS was about the transfers, and my immediate reaction was to call my wife to share the news. The thought that crossed my mind right away was the financial burden of my children's school fees. My wife and I sat down to discuss our plans. The excitement I felt upon receiving the transfers was overwhelming, as it offered a ray of hope in light of the financial challenges we were facing. I wasted no time informing my family of eight about this welcome development. However, I chose not to withdraw the transfers immediately, but rather on the second day. This delay allowed my wife and me to carefully organize and plan how we would use the funds to address our family's needs in the most effective way."
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1 year ago
Kadii
received a $364 initial payment.
"Before the transfers, life was incredibly challenging, and putting food on the table was a constant worry. The financial strain was such that my children often had to stay out of school, and it was only through hard work, such as burning charcoal, that I could scrape together enough to send them back to their studies. The transfers have brought a significant change to our lives. I am glad my children have been able to remain in school without disruptions. They have not only continued their education but also recently sat for their exams. This newfound stability and access to education have been a source of relief and hope for a brighter future. The transfers have had a profound and positive impact, providing opportunities and security that were previously out of reach."
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1 year ago
Florence
received a $364 initial payment.
"Our family of five relies on my husband's house construction work as our primary source of income. The income from this labor is usually dedicated to providing food for our family and covering school fees for our children. I am incredibly happy about the positive changes brought about by these transfers, as they have enabled me to accomplish tasks that I was not sure when I would be able to complete. When I received the transfers, I spent $110 to purchase a sewing machine, which was a crucial step for me. I had previously attended a tailoring course but was unable to put my skills into practice due to the lack of this essential equipment. With the sewing machine, I am now on the path to earning an income that can help support my family. Additionally, I spent $200 toward connecting water to my compound, a fundamental improvement that would make our daily lives more convenient and hygienic. The remaining funds were used to complete the construction of my one-room, iron-roofed house, a project that had been on hold. This upgrade to our living conditions was a significant step forward."
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