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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Karen's Profile
Karen's family
Karen
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
21
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
attach_money
 
Follow to be updated on Karen's next check-in.
 
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I plan to jointly start a shop business with my mum. My mother has completed building the shop using her past transfers. The remaining part is for me to stock it. I shall be running the shop myself which will give me some meaningful occupation.
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 the income that I get from the dairy cow that I bought. I spent the money that I received from my merry go round group after saving the transfers on a cow. Most of the milk from the cow goes to household use while some are for sale. From this, I get some constant income.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, My chop business will be up and running. From this, I will be making money that I can use on personal care products. I will be glad to be having a good way to spend my time contributing to income generation in my family. This business will be earning me living as well as supporting my mother as far as the family's daily needs provision is concerned.
 
20th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Currently, my long term goal is to start a business in my area by opening a shop. I will use the savings that I will get from the two saving groups that I am a member of. I will be using the income from this business to meet some of my needs and also help my parents to settle some of our bills.
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 I have been able to join one more group in addition to the one that I was its member. Joining another savings group was a big challenge to me before due to many responsibilities. I am now glad since I now have a way that I can save money religiously. I will later use these savings to start a business in our locality that I will be running.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will have changed in the next six months in that, I will have opened a shop. Due to this, I will be able to help my parents with some of our needs while saving some amount. I will later use this savings to buy a dairy cow and to enroll myself in a tertiary institution. It has always been my wish to continue with my education but my parents are currently not in a position to help me pay the tuition fee. Having this business will be a savior to me since the income that I will be getting from it will enable me to achieve this and other goals that I have in life.
 
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Comparing our my life is currently with the last four months, I can attest to the fact that I have witnessed a lot of differences. I currently own a cow which I never had before and with the financial support which I was initially getting from my parents, I am currently independent courtesy of the transfers I am receiving every month. I am grateful that I am currently able to invest in my ideas and at least value the support from GiveDirctly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Having completed the initial project on purchasing a cow, I now have an additional goal which my mother is also involved. We have decided to pull our resources together in order to start a small business. We are planning to open a shop and stock together which will run under our management and later share profits as we progress.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Having been receiving the transfers from GD, I have been seeing a lot of differences in my daily life. In the last four months, the biggest difference is my ability to buy a cow. This is after receiving the contribution from the merry-go-round group I have been participating in. It has been my dream to at least own a cow since we have spacious fields in our household which can comfortably accommodate livestock. I spent 27000 KES out of the 30000 KES had received and right now I am glad that I am rearing my own cow.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I am hopeful and with expectation that my shop will be operational. We are currently putting up the structure which will be followed by stocking of the shop in the next few months. Thank you GiveDirectly for the great support you gave us.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, I do not lack basic needs which I need as a lady. Whenever I need to purchase something I get to do so as I get to save some money which remains after saving for the mega project which I saved for. These necessities would have not been easy to get
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I will be receiving my merry-go-round savings collection in the next two months. I will use this money to buy a dairy cow. I will be able to earn a daily income through the sale of milk after the cow will have started reproducing. As a lady, I might need to purchase some items which would be hard for me to ask for money from my parent. I saw that it is good to have a reliable income so that it can enable me to cater to my needs even when GiveDirectly will have stopped giving us the financial aid. Buying a dairy cow is so far the only goal I now have for the next four months.
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 I no longer depend on my parents for money for buying personal items. Before I would not afford to purchase feminine hygiene products and I would always feel shameful to ask money from my parents. Now I am free to go to the shop and purchase it on my own as I now have money. I am glad that due to this, my hygiene has really improved and my self-esteem is always high no matter the day of the month as I am always afraid of nothing.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
After I purchase a cow, I will start saving my transfers to enable me to start a business. I am aiming at starting a retail shop as there are no shops around my locality. This will give me a good market opportunity and a stable income which will help me cater to my family needs well.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
In the next few months, I would expect to join college as my parents are now able to raise money for paying my school fees.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next three months, it will be my turn to receive merry-go-round savings. When this time comes, I will spend the money to buy a cow. Though I wouldn't imagine such would happen anytime soon, I believe that after I bought a cow I would be happy person to own a cow. In our community,when someone has a cow one is being respected as this will act as a sign of a responsible adult.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I am now independent financially unlike before when I use to depend on my parents for all my basic needs. Being a young adult there were some items which I wouldn't ask my father to give me money for buying. personal effects which include feminine hygiene products. Whenever am in need of anything I just proceed to the shop without bothering my parents anymore.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would expect to have bought a cow. When the cow calves down we would get milk for use in our family and we will sell some to get money which will act as another source of income for our family.
 
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
4560 KES ($45 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My family and I no longer lack basic and essential needs in our home because we are assured of monthly transfer.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life and that of my family to improve in the next six months in terms of lifestyle and daily providence.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Compared to before I started receiving the transfer, my life is now more happy and confident about the future plans that I have.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
On thing that I want to do is to start a small retail business(shop) with the aid of the transfer from Givedirectly.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship is in the evening when studying there isn't enough electricity. Electricity hasn't reached home yet hence I have to use solar energy. Some time I have to use a lantern to study .
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. In the evening is when leave school for home where am going to meet my siblings and my parents tell them how school was and ask them how they day was.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I plan to spend my transfer on start a shop. Starting a shop will help me get some income to support me and my family. Am almost done with school hence this will help me built my skills and keep me busy as I wait for my examination results
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement that I am proudest of is the education that gotten so far. This will help me build my future and allow me to be a better person in general.