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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Newsfeed > Jotham's Profile
Jotham's family
Jotham
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
63
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Jotham's next check-in.
 
19th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago in that I now eat well and I am healthier than I was. Before then, I entirely depended on farming which was hardly enough for us to meet the basic household needs. The weather conditions also could not favor us at times affecting food productivity.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have any new or additional goal at the moment. All I want to do is to concentrate on adding the sheep that I own because they are fast in reproduction compared to other livestock. Once they increase in number then I can always sell some to meet any arising needs of my family. Once, I am successful about my sheep keeping hustle, then I can think of any additional plans but right now, I do not want to get distracted.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life that has happened over the last four months is the fact that I have been able to buy sheep. I did not own any before. These are very important assets considering that once they increase in number, I will be able to sell them and take care of my needs or any financial emergencies that may arise.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My expectation for the next six months is to have bought more sheep. I plan to sell some of these sheep once they are many and meet any financial emergencies that may arise and other development projects.
 
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, I have a shelter for my livestock which was not the case before. They are safe at night away from predators, the harsh weather conditions. This has seen them increase in number due to reduced deaths caused by sickness as well as theft and attacks from wild animals.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to purchase more livestock to increase their number and have more wealth as well given that this is my main source of income.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer is that I have been able to build a shelter for my livestock. They will have a place to shelter at night and also from the rains. Their health will be better than it was before when they had no shelter was bound to falling sick.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I hope to have an increase in the livestock this will mean more wealth and financial freedom for my household.
 
11th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I now have a sheep which is the greatest financial asset I acquired in the last four months. I feel very proud when I spend most of my leisure time taking care of the sheep.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Currently, I do not have any new goal because I am still working towards achieving my previous goal of building a new kitchen. This is because the current one the roof is seriously leaking when it rains and that's where my visitors sleep when they come to visit me. My main house is not that spacious enough to accommodate my family well and the visitors.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that we are now eating well, in that we can afford three meals in a day unlike before this was a dream. Once I get my income I buy foodstuffs from the supermarket in large quantity which I could not do because of the low income I used to get from casual work thus we could only afford to buy foodstuffs from a nearby shop daily and in small quantity. I thank GiveDirectly from having changed my life from a lower level to a better one
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I have started saving toward building my new kitchen and I believe in the next six month I will be in a position to have finished its construction. This will change my life in that I will not have any worries in case I get any visitor unlike now which is very tricky I have to go ask for a neighbour for a sleeping place.
 
7th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, I am able to purchase building materials on a monthly basis something that I could do before I started receiving the transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have no new goals.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life is that I am able to buy building materials which I am planning to use on building a kitchen in the near future.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have accumulated enough building materials and the my kitchen construction will have kicked on.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have now been able to have a good financial projection into the future. In addition to that I can now buy food in an easy way.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I have a plan of buying goats and a few sheep, something that I have just been dreaming about in the past.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is now different because I now live a very stress free life as opposed to how I used to live previously before GD came into our village.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I have a goal of building a new kitchen, after which I will plan on how to start acquiring a few domestic animals such as goats.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
455 KES ($5 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I want to start a rearing business. I want to buy goats and sheep at a tender age and sell them after they have matured. This will help me earn a living.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I currently can work comfortable knowing that at the end of the month I will be able to received transfers from GD.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I will be able to pay my child's school fees without difficultly unlike before she could be sent home for school fees because of lack of money. Secondly we will be able to feed well and dress neatly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving payments from Give Directly is I am able to pay my daughter's school fees comfortable.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is loosing both parents in 1986. Since then life became so unbearable and the memory of them have never disappeared.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening because mostly I succeed in my work after toiling the whole day.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on purchasing livestock. That is two goats and two sheep because they are easy to manage.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is taking my only daughter to good secondary boarding school so that in the future she can be able to get good job and take care of her family.