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 > Charles's Profile
Charles's family
Charles
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
47
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
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Follow to be updated on Charles's next check-in.
 
18th 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?
Currently, my life is different because I have a new stock of birds that I never had in the past. This is my motivation to a sustainability project since it keeps me on toes every other day as compared to before when it was small and on the verge of collapsing due to lack of capital for its maintenance.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have a new goal for the next four months but rather invest more in rearing poultry by buying feeds and their medication. I am passionate about sees this dream actualizing and becoming sustainable before the rolling out of the GiveDirectly's project.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have always wished to expand the project of rearing poultry for a long time. Unfortunately, the capital to initiate this has been a major challenge because I had some pressing issues like paying school fees for my children and also making sure food is on the table daily for them. Receiving this transfer for the last four months has come in handy since I have 40 flocks which are egg-laying. Therefore, I am hoping in the December holidays when their market will be at the peak. To sell the eggs and flocks then use the profits to pay school fees for my children. So far I cannot thank Give Directly enough for their immense support as I am getting to the fulfillment of my dream a day at a time.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have a huge stock of flock within the next six months. Therefore, I will need to be financially disciplined and dedicated most of my time at work to get the best quality out of the business. In order to have massive profits when I start selling them most probably in December holiday when their market is at the peak.
 
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 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, my life is different in that I am financially disciplined and dedicated to my work especially with the transfers that I have been receiving in the last four months. This is because I have bought 4 goats and 20 chickens to expand my livestock rearing project so that I can be able to benefit from them into the unforeseeable future. Once they have matured, I will be selling some to cater for my family needs. One of the benefits is that the chicken can be sold out at a profit in the future when they finally mature, and the same applies to the goats.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I plan to add more of the chickens and goats I am raring because that is where my passion lies. I love doing more of agricultural practices and also its a source of investment as well for me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
There is a difference in my life because I have a new stock of chicken and four goats which I never had in the past four months. One thing I like about this venture is that it keeps me on toes on a daily basis and will give me an extra -come to supplement with the income from casual jobs that I do. I am mostly involved in house construction which is unreliable and less paying hence supplementing my income improves my financial status.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect a great change in my life in that my neighbors will be astonished of how I have bought more goats and chicken within the next six months. In order to have this stock in place, I will save most of the transfer in the merry go round. I will sell some in the future when they have matured and cater to my family's needs comfortably.
 
12th 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?
Before the transfers I would really struggle to put food on the table for my family., this is because I used to depend on causal work of ploughing on other peoples' farms. Anytime I did not go to work, I would not have any income and we would miss most meals on such days., I am glad we have never misssed any meal ever sincve I sttarted receibg these tramsfers. Anytime we eat together as a family, I just thankg God for thius miracle.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to start a business. I have not decided on the kind of business to invest in but I know I will have an idea in two weeks time. The business will help me sustain my family needs and put an end to the struggles I go through financially with the profits.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving this transfer is that every month I receive money from GD. I used to struggle to get money since I depended on the casual work of ploughing for others. This was unreliable and during the dry seasons, it would take several weeks and even two months without receiving any money. I am glad these days, the story has changed. I can make a promise and fulfil without a struggle because of GD transfers.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I want to start a business. The business is my next goal which will improve my financial status. I want to have a stable source of income and since I can not get a job, I have resolved to start a business. I do not want to go back to where I was before the transfers.
 
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?
I now own more livestock than I did before which means more wealth. I have been using almost all my transfers to purchase a goat each month and I am happy with the progress I've made.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to save my next 3 transfers on M-shwari so that I can be able to qualify for a loan which I will use to purchase farming equipment so that I don't have to hire the m every season because it's very costly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Now that my wife and I both have our own income, we have had fewer quarrels and more peace in our family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I will sell my goats and I hope that the money I will raise from that will be enough to buy a dairy cow.This will help me save the money that we usually spend on milk daily,and the profits I make from selling the extra milk will be used to purchase other goats.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
455 KES ($5 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goals that I didn't have before receiving the transfer is plastering my house and also buying cattle for rearing.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it could have been had I never received the transfer is that I can communicate with my customers with ease unlike before when I did not have a phone.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months in that I will be able to have plastered my house.Hence I will be living in a nice house free from dust
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 that I was given a phone, I can communicate effectively with my friends, family members and also customers.I have gained more customers due effective communication.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have lately faced is severe famine following a long drought. My crops dried up in the field and barely nothing was produced. I had to strain so much to ensure that my family got food. It was exhaustive and tiresome. Real struggle.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am from work, meeting my family and having a meal together with them.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I plan to spend my transfer on paying school fees for my son who is currently in form three. I have been struggling to get schools fees and at the same time meet basic household needs. I also wish to buy livestock which will help me in ploughing my field and as a saving to the family.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement would be establishing my own home in January this year. I am now able to freely implement my projects and make decisions without having to seek permission from my parents. I have freedom to develop.