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.
Kalume's family
access_time 5 months ago
Kalume received a $27 twenty-sixth payment.
"Considering my age, I realize that I am getting older, and I fear that once this program ends, I may lack something to rely on in terms of assets. I have set a goal for the coming years: to save at least $15 from my monthly transfers for several months to buy more goats. I currently have four goats on my compound, and acquiring more will increase my benefits. Once I achieve this, it will be easier for me to pay the school fees for my children who are still in primary school, even after the program ends. Additionally, having livestock will provide me with security, as people will be more likely to trust me and lend me their items knowing I have assets."
Jumwa's family
access_time 5 months ago
Jumwa received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"I have a new goal in mind, and I believe that once it's achieved, I won't have to worry about my health conditions any longer. My goal is to save $10 from the transfers so that in the future, I can buy several goats to keep at home. These goats will not only be livestock but also valuable assets that will help with my health, as I will be able to sell some to purchase the medications I need daily. Having these goats will provide me with assurance that I won’t run out of funds if this project comes to an end, and they will also offer a reliable source of support for my overall needs. By early next year, I hope to have at least two goats to start with, and I am optimistic that this will happen soon."
Kache's family
access_time 5 months ago
Kache received a $27 twenty-fifth payment.
"My primary concern for some time has been finding better treatment for my leg condition. Although I am currently on medication and receive monthly checkups, I still feel the need for more advanced care at specialized hospitals to alleviate the constant pain I experience. My plan is to use the financial support I receive, along with assistance from my sons, to make this goal a reality. Achieving this treatment will restore my joy and hope, allowing me to finally break free from the sleepless nights I've been enduring. I also look forward to becoming more self-sufficient, enabling me to handle some tasks on my own once I am healed."
Kaunda's family
access_time 5 months ago
Kaunda received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"My primary goal right now is to buy more goats to keep on my homestead. Currently, I have three goats, but I aim to build a larger herd so that, as they reproduce, I can grow my assets. As I get older, I recognize the importance of having reliable resources, especially for the future when this support may end. I plan to save at least $10 from my monthly transfers to accumulate enough funds to purchase more goats. This dream is very achievable, and I am determined and focused on achieving it. Once I reach this goal, even if it takes several months, I feel hopeful about my future, as I will have assets I can sell to support both my husband and myself."
David's family
access_time 5 months ago
David received a $141 initial payment.
"First, I bought two goats for $100 to add to the six I already had. Goats are easy to maintain, and they’ll multiply over time, which means more assets for my family. I see this as an investment that will continue to provide for us in the years to come, giving us a reliable source of income and even milk for the children. I then used $60 to buy two bags of maize. Harvest season had come, but I had nothing to show for it since the crops I had planted were swept away by heavy rains. This way, I won’t have to worry about feeding my family, and we can keep going until the next planting season, hopefully with better luck. With the money left, I bought some new clothes for my three children. Their clothes were worn out, and I wanted them to have something decent to wear. It felt good to see them look happy and confident in their new clothes. They deserve to feel good about themselves, just like any other children. Knowing that I used this money to meet both our immediate needs and to plan for the future gives me peace."
Santa's family
access_time 5 months ago
Santa received a $27 thirty-fourth payment.
"In the upcoming year and beyond, my goals are centered around ensuring a secure future for my family by making prudent investments in goats. These animals serve as a safeguard against unpredictability and offer the potential for financial stability. Given their relatively low upkeep costs and the availability of a steady market, goats are a sustainable asset that will help protect our future. By increasing my goat herd through my monthly transfers, I strive to build a strong foundation of economic stability. Additionally, I have the responsibility of covering school fees for my children, as I want them to receive an education that will enable them to support +themselves in the future. To achieve this, I plan to allocate a portion of my transfers towards this goal, along with the limited income I earn from my casual jobs."
Sadaka's family
access_time 5 months ago
Sadaka received a $27 twenty-fifth payment.
"With the ongoing drought and the hunger we are facing, my current plan is to continue using a portion of my transfers to buy food and water for my family, ensuring we do not go hungry. Also, to buy water for my livestock to keep them healthy. I will keep doing this until the rains come, and we are able to harvest enough food to sustain ourselves and have water in our watering points that we can fully rely on. It is a difficult time, but I am determined to keep my family fed and safe. At the same time, I am focused on securing our future. I plan to keep saving part of my transfers in our local savings group with the goal of buying more goats. My hope is that these goats will multiply, increasing in both number and value. In the long run, they will become valuable assets that I can rely on, especially when this support program comes to an end. I am incredibly grateful for the help I have been receiving, and I am committed to using it wisely to not only survive today but to build a more secure future for my family."
Katana's family
access_time 5 months ago
Katana received a $27 twenty-ninth payment.
"As the festive season approaches, there is nothing more satisfying for me than putting a smile on my family's face. This time of year is special, and I want to make sure my family feels just as happy and blessed as others do. For the next few months, I plan to save a portion of my transfers so I can buy my family new Christmas clothes. This is something I have always wanted to do for them because, during Christmas, getting new clothes is a big joy, and I want them to feel as good as the other children around us. In addition to making them happy during the holidays, my children’s education is a top priority for me. I am committed to continuing to use a portion of my transfers to pay for their school fees, ensuring they can keep attending school and building a brighter future for themselves. Lastly, I am determined to secure our financial future. To do that, I plan to keep saving another part of my transfers, and once enough funds have accumulated, I will invest in buying more goats. My goal is for these goats to multiply and grow in both number and value, becoming valuable assets that we can rely on in the future. I am incredibly grateful for the support I have received. It has made a real difference in our lives, and I am determined to use it wisely to create a better, more secure future for my family. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this possible."
Samini's family
access_time 5 months ago
Samini received a $27 twenty-fifth payment.
"This year and in the years ahead, my main goal is to complete building my house. Thankfully, I already have all the necessary building materials, so my plan is to use part of my transfers to hire labor and get the construction finished. Once the house is complete, I will use another portion of my transfers to buy a bed and a mattress. Right now, I sleep on a mat, and it is uncomfortable, so having a proper bed would make a huge difference for my rest and well-being. Additionally, I really need to buy new clothes. My current clothes are worn out and very few, so I will use some of the transfers to get what I need and feel more presentable. I also plan to buy a big metal box to store my clothes properly, which will help keep everything neat and organized. I want my home to be a comfortable, presentable place, and I want to feel good about myself as well. Additionally, with the ongoing dry spell, I will continue to use a portion of my transfers to help my mother support our family with food, because it is important that we stay strong through these difficult times. Lastly, I plan to use another part of my transfers to buy goats. I believe this will be an investment for the future. My plan is to raise them and hope that they multiply so that I will have something valuable to rely on when this support program eventually comes to an end. I am incredibly grateful for the support that GiveDirectly has given me and my family."
Anita's family
access_time 5 months ago
Anita received a $349 second payment.
"We live near the river, and this year we experienced severe floods. It was a terrifying night, and by luck, we were not swept away by the rising waters. The water nearly covered us, and the most frightening part was the danger to our 5-year-old daughter. We could not escape because it happened at night, and the water levels were so high inside our house that we had to stand on the bed, holding our daughter above the water for hours, waiting for the levels to recede. That life-threatening experience made me determined to make a change. I plan to focus on crop farming, specifically planting seed maize, and I will use the proceeds to finish paying for a plot on higher ground that we secured on debt. Once we own the plot, we will construct a house there, ensuring our family’s safety from future floods."