GDLive | GiveDirectly

Unfiltered, unedited stories

We’re committed to transparency and use our survey technology to collect and share real-time updates and stories in this live newsfeed.

Browse the real, unedited profiles of the recipients we serve, learn about their aspirations, and follow them to stay updated as their lives move forward.

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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.

Stella received a $444 initial payment.

"For 7 years since I got married, we have been living in a tiny, rusty irony roofed house that is leaking. The situation worsens during the rainy season because we are forced to stay awake the whole night with our two one-year-old kids. After receiving the transfer, I spent $400 to construct a spacious, two-roomed mud-walled house for my family. Currently, I am pleased to reside in a better shelter like other community members. In addition, I used part of the remaining amount to purchase new clothes for all the family members. Earlier, we were wearing old torn attires which makes us feel uncomfortable since my husband's watchman job earns him very little income. Lastly, I bought sufficient foodstuffs with the remaining amount that we have been using since we are experiencing famine in our area due to climate change."

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Safina received an initial payment.

"I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. Though it did not come as a surprise to me, receiving this money was an affirmation that for once we were going to receive support as earlier promised. In the past we have had organisations making huge promises and later disappearing without honouring those promises. It was so full filling to see GiveDirectly honour their promise within a very short time."

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Salama received a $444 initial payment.

"Owning a shelter will be the biggest difference once I complete the construction. With the money in my account, I am positive that we will be able to rebuild and move to our own home. Achieving this dream will restore the joy that we had lost for more than two years."

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Daniel received a $28 tenth payment.

"My new goal is to invest in livestock specifically goats. I chose goats over cows because goats can survive without water for a longer time compared to cows. Through this investment, I will be able to cater to my children's education as well as their basic needs."

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Jumwa received a $28 tenth payment.

"I've wanted to renovate my home for a very long time, especially the roof, which was absolutely catastrophic, especially during the rainy season. Rain would cause the iron sheets to leak, leaving the entire house sopping wet. As a result, I made the decision to go to a nearby hardware store and ask the owner if I could borrow roughly 15 pairs of iron sheets, which I will gradually pay back with each transfer I receive this year. Aside from that, I also intended to pay my son's tuition before spending the remaining funds on nourishment because it is also a struggle."

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Jumwa received a second payment.

View Jumwa's profile

Dama received a second payment.

View Dama's profile

"The lack of a stable source of income is the biggest challenge currently. My husband who is the breadwinner of the family is a driver, and with the rise in the cost of fuel, he gets little money as he works on a casual basis. This has made us struggle to make ends meet hence we are unable to meet all the basic needs of our family."

View Mary's profile

Talai enrolled.

"We live in a semi-arid area, it hardly rains, and even if it does it is not enough for farming. In my old age, I solely depend on my children to provide food for me and my two orphaned grandchildren. I feel we are so much of a burden to them since they also have their own families to raise. If I had fertile land, I would grow my food and rear livestock but that's not the case. We take two meals in a day and sometimes once. Lack of proper nutrition has weakened me and made me susceptible to diseases."

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Benard enrolled.

"Food insecurity is the biggest challenge in this area. It has been three years since we got a good harvest from our farms due to a lack of rainfall. Being a farmer, I shifted from cultivating land to rearing goats to earn a living but it is not productive as they also lack enough feeds. This has forced me to supplement my income with casual jobs to provide for my family."

View Benard's profile