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.
Happy Holidays!
GDLive updates will be slower while GiveDirectly's Africa offices are closed over the holidays.
Rael's family
access_time 20 days ago
Rael received a $347 second payment.
"GiveDirectly has professional officers who treat everyone equally. This is the first time I have truly felt the impact of relief. The way the officers handle the process is respectful, and they are always ready to listen and assist. The support I have received has made a real difference in my life, and I feel grateful for it. My recommendation is for GiveDirectly to consider adding more cash transfers beyond the third scheduled transfer. This would help continue to support families like mine, ensuring that we can meet our needs and improve our lives even further."
Naimeku's family
access_time 20 days ago
Naimeku received a $347 second payment.
"Now that the issues of food and school fees have been addressed, my most immediate goal is to build a house, at least a one-room house. The floods damaged my current home, and it is no longer safe for my family to stay here. I plan to use the next transfer from GiveDirectly to build a secure and stable home for us. Having a safe place to live is very important, and this house will provide enough space for my household. The thought of this fills me with satisfaction because I know that my family will be safe and comfortable in a secure home."
Miriam's family
access_time 20 days ago
Miriam received a $347 second payment.
"What stood out for me with GiveDirectly is their level of professionalism and their commitment to alleviating poverty through unconditional cash transfers. Their approach has been very transparent and effective, and it has made a real difference in my life. I have no recommendations for them, except to encourage them to reach as many people as possible. The impact they have on families like mine is truly remarkable, and I believe many more people could benefit from their support."
Noldingida's family
access_time 20 days ago
Noldingida received a $347 second payment.
"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with gratitude because I knew this money would change my life for the better. I carefully planned how to use it to improve my family’s well-being and secure our future. I started by using $250 to buy five sheep. Previously, I had three sheep, and I thought it was a good idea to increase my flock. Sheep are very beneficial because they provide income as they reproduce and grow. This investment will help me generate a sustainable source of income over time. The remaining $200 went toward buying a plot of land. My family has been severely affected by the recent floods that devastated our village, and I knew I needed a safer place to live. The new plot is on higher ground, far from the flood-prone areas. I plan to build a new home there using the next transfer from GiveDirectly. Once we relocate, I will use our current land for farming. Knowing my family is safe and secure in a better environment gives me great peace of mind. This is a huge milestone for us, and I am incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for making this possible."
Merryline's family
access_time 20 days ago
Merryline received a $347 second payment.
"What I like most about GiveDirectly is their follow-ups. They sometimes visit my home to see what I have been able to achieve with their support. This shows that they genuinely care about the impact their assistance has on people’s lives. My recommendation is for them to expand their program to other villages and enroll as many people as possible. This will help even more families transform their lives, just as I have been able to."
Lekajos's family
access_time 20 days ago
Lekajos received a $347 second payment.
"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I was overjoyed and deeply grateful for the support. Before accepting the money, I had already planned how to use it, focusing on what would benefit my family the most. As a mother of four children, all in school, I prioritized their education. First, I used $110 to pay for my eldest son’s upcoming exam fees. He is in college pursuing a diploma in electrical engineering, and this payment ensured his registration for next year’s exams so that he won’t miss this important milestone. Next, I spent $100 on my second son, who is also in college, studying for a diploma in food and beverages. This amount covered the materials he needed for his practical exams. I was overjoyed when he sent me pictures of his work through WhatsApp, showing how well he was performing. He is now sitting for his theory exams and will soon graduate. I also have two other children in high school, and I used $100 to pay their school fees. This helped lift the burden of arrears, ensuring they could stay in school without interruptions. I am so thankful to GiveDirectly because, before this program, I often relied on fundraisers to pay school fees. Since enrolling, I haven’t had to organize a single fundraiser, and my children’s education has been uninterrupted. I feel proud knowing I’m giving them a strong foundation for a self-reliant future. Additionally, I spent $70 on food to ensure we have enough to eat at home. In the past, I often struggled to put food on the table and had to ration meals. Now, we can enjoy full and nutritious meals as a family. Finally, I used the remaining money to buy clothes for my children, ensuring they look presentable and feel confident. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my family’s living conditions have significantly improved. This support has brought us stability and hope for a brighter future. I will always be grateful for this life-changing assistance."
Dama's family
access_time 20 days ago
Dama received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"I currently have six goats at home, but I don't plan to just maintain this number; I aim to significantly grow my herd. I am determined to expand my goat-rearing project because goats reproduce twice a year and mature quickly, making it a viable and sustainable endeavor. Once I achieve this goal, it will greatly support my children's education. At the moment, I do not have a job or any external assistance to help cover their school expenses. In addition to supporting their education, these goats will provide a reliable safety net. I can sell some of them to meet urgent needs or cover unexpected costs. I also plan to use part of the incoming transfers I receive to buy more goats, which will help me reach my goal more quickly. I am confident that even when these transfers eventually stop, this project will continue to sustain my family, ensuring lasting benefits from the support I have received."
Sidi's family
access_time 20 days ago
Sidi received a $27 thirty-third payment.
"As I look ahead to the coming year and beyond, my goal is clear: I want to continue raising goats on my homestead. I truly believe that as these goats multiply, their value will grow, allowing me to achieve many things. One of my key intentions is to use some of the goats to support my grandchildren’s education in the future. They are currently in primary school, and I want to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed. Additionally, the goats will help me meet my own needs, such as covering the costs of my monthly check-ups, as I have not been well. I plan to accomplish this by using the upcoming transfers to stay on track and bring this vision to life."
Tabu's family
access_time 20 days ago
Tabu received a $27 thirtieth payment.
"I have an important goal that I hope to achieve soon: expanding my goat herd. Currently, I own five goats, but I aim to grow the herd to at least ten. Once I reach this target, I plan to exchange some of the goats for a dairy cow. My vision is to start a milk-selling business, providing fresh milk to my neighbors and generating income to support my family's needs. At the moment, I rely on burning and selling charcoal to sustain my family, which has been a challenging task, as I am the sole breadwinner. To achieve my goal, I plan to use my upcoming transfers to purchase more goats. I am confident that, with time, the goats I already have will reproduce, helping my herd grow even faster. Reaching this goal will not only ensure that my children receive a continuous education but also improve our living conditions, creating a better future for us all."
Janet's family
access_time 20 days ago
Janet received a $27 twenty-eighth payment.
"With my children now in school, my primary goal is to ensure they continue with their education. To achieve this, I plan to dedicate a portion of my transfers to covering their school fees. Education is important to me, and I want to provide them with the best opportunities for their future. In addition to securing their education, I also aim to establish a solid foundation for their future by building up a reasonable herd of livestock. I intend to use another portion of my transfers to purchase more chickens and goats, which will be added to the ones I already own. I believe that with time, these animals will multiply, and I will be able to trade some of the chickens for more goats. As the herd grows, I plan to trade some of the goats for cows. These cows will become a valuable asset, as I will also train some of them to plow the fields, ensuring that my family has the resources needed to grow food and support our livelihood. The livestock will not only serve as a source of income but also provide long-term security for my children’s education and well-being, especially after this program comes to an end. I am deeply grateful for the support and empowerment that GiveDirectly has given me."