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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Mark's Profile
Mark's family
Mark
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Personal services (self-employed)
faceAge:
24
workCampaign
FSD / Urban Youth
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Operating a video show has been a struggle to me though there was an increased demand in watching live matches and movies. I did not have enough equipment, however, my life is currently different because, through the money I was getting from GiveDirectly, I managed to pay for rent on the premises I operate. I also bought 20 plastic chairs and bought a new TV set. The income has also increased since having these has attracted a large number of customers on a daily basis. In addition to this, I have been able to cater for my household needs and expenses effectively, which include the basic necessities like food and clothing, Also clearing rent on the premises
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My goal now is to save adequately and buy more equipment that will ensure my video show business is doing well and for expansion as well, to accommodate more interested customers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I currently run a video show in town which has been my only source of income that I own so far. To improve customer satisfaction, I bought a new set of television for KES 40000, in order to replace the old one I was using. To me, this is a great achievement for I now have an increased number of customers. I also bought some other equipment that would allow me to efficiently run my business. On the remaining amount, I did the shopping for my household on basic needs like food and clothing for my family.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
36800 KES ($368 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the moment my business has really grown courtesy of the transfer. The proceeds are very high and I am a happy man. From these proceeds also, I am going to empower my wife to start her own business. This would be a great achievement and she is very excited. I also meet my daily needs more easily unlike before.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I have a plan to expand my movie business. Earlier on before receiving the transfer, I was limited to a small shop and most of the time the customers lacked space. It was so because I did not have money to expand my business. At the moment I have bought a bigger screen and I am planning to relocate my business to a bigger hall as soon as I get the other transfers. With enough space, the client base will be bigger and this for me means more income. On the other hand, also I would like to help my wife start a business of her choice. This aspiration was fuelled through the transfers as it will enable me to raise the capital.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I gave my wife KES 6800 for buying personal effects and household goods. I got married recently and we did not have most household goods. I bought a television screen worth KES 42000 for businesses. I run a video show business. The television set that I had was small and the customer base was growing. I took KES 30,000 of the transfers and topped up with the savings I had to buy it.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($195 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
Being employed has really disappointed me and for me not to absolutely depend on it, I will use my next transfers to Start a poultry farming business in this area as a source of extra income.My plan is to invest in layers as eggs are always on demand in this area.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I was living quite a stressful life before I received the money due to unpaid loans and lack of money to take care of my family needs. For some time now, we have been depending on my wife's small business to take care of our household needs which has not enabled it to thrive as we would wish. The money has taken care of some very critical issues in my life and reduced my sress.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I rely on contract electric installation jobs which have been very rare lately, this led me into taking a lot of debts from mobile banking platforms and even friends. When I received the money, the first thing I did was to repay the loans. I gave part of it to my wife to help her boost her business then spent the remaining amount on personal items and foodstuff.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
When the text messages came, I was wide awake because of stress that. I read them and realized I had received money from GD. I left the bedroom and went to the living room where I re-read the messages one more time before repaying the loans I had with M-shwari.I felt so much relieved because the deadline for the payment was drawing closer and I was scared I would be blacklisted from ever getting a loan from that platform.M-shwari has been my refuge in times of need and being blacklisted by them would be a tragedy to me.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
To boost my business so that I can be self dependant and continue with education to support family
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is unemployment and taking care of my family needs
What are your greatest ambitions?
To be successful in business to lift my life and my family
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
Watching movies, listening to music