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 > Steven's Profile
Steven's family
Steven
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
21
workCampaign
UBI
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
25500 KES ($249 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Since most of the money I received was used to pay my college fees, I am so much relieved that I have no balances at the moment and I can fully focus on my studies. Paying my college fees has always been a struggle due to low income my parents earn from their peasant farm jobs. I am glad they will relax for some time now before they can worry about raising the next semester's fees. I was also able to buy personal items such as clothes and shoes that have improved my general looks and overall confidence.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The only goal I had was to clear my college fees for the semester so that I could relieve my parent off some of their stress of having to raise the money, especially since they do not have any stable sources of income. I managed to do this and now I can comfortably stay in school without any worries as my parents can now start planning towards raising my fees for the next semester. I, therefore, have no extra plans at the moment for I have spent the whole amount I received.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I used part of the first and second transfer I received from GD to buy a few personal items such as clothes and shoes. My daily life has greatly changed since then because I dress much more recently than I did before. At my age, looking good is one of the greatest desires one has,but achieving this was very tough before because I did not have the money to buy decent quality clothes. My parents are struggling to keep me in school and I can not bother them with such luxuries, so I had to do with what I had. After buying the new clothes with my transfers, I am currently much more confident and I have better self-esteem generally among my peers.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I bought a few chickens with part of the first transfer and my hope is that they will have multiplied in the next six months so that I can be able to sell off some of them or the eggs they produce for my daily sustenance in school. Being a full-time student, it is very hard for me to engage in any income generating activity and I mostly have to rely on my parent for my financial needs. Having this project gives me hope of having a backup plan especially when they are unable to provide.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
23675 KES ($235 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The ease and relief my parents have got after I managed to clear my school fees arrears is the most evident. This is the biggest difference in my daily life and that of my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months,I expect my life to change for the better after starting the retail kiosk business. At least I will be having some small source of income.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Were it not GiveDirectly,my parents would have still been struggling to clear the arrears I owe my university.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to start a small kiosk where I will do business. With this,I will be able to have more income.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life, was difficulty in paying my secondary school fee. I could occasionally be sent home for fee. I often took weeks before resuming classes, thus my secondary education was not an easy venture.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day, is in the evening when I have fully done my daily duties, and I am free to meet and catch up with my peers. I feel very happy whenever we share much about our future life, academic goals and engage in doing our hobbies such as watching football.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer to pay fee for my college education, since my parents are unable to meet all the needs of our family from their low earnings.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of in life, is my outstanding performance in my studies. This has earned me an opportunity to study in one of the universities in Kenya unlike my siblings. I am indeed, the very first from our family to be enrolled to the public university.