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 > Michael's Profile
Michael's family
Michael
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Michael's next check-in.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different because, for one I had lived with this desire of paying the dowry to my in-laws but then due to financial difficulties, it has been a far fetched dream. However, right now my dream will come true because I have already bought the livestock which I will present as my appreciation to them.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Currently, my new goal is to start a new business for my wife within the near future so that she can also have an income-generating activity which will supplement our income as a family. The business will relieve some financial burden off my shoulder because she will be able to shoulder some of the roles and most probably navigating through life will not be hectic as it may seem to be today.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have been able to buy enough building materials such as iron sheets, cement, and timber which I have already used to build a new house for my family. I needed to have this new structure because I initially used to stay in was a grass-thatched house that was so old and kept on leaking excessively whenever it rained, which made life quite unbearable for me and my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect that my life will change in the long term future because her business will definitely pick up if it is well managed. Once the business does well we will have relief in terms of budgeting for the household and handling any financial emergencies.
 
11th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different as it was four months ago. This is because I had inadequate resources to facilitate my bridal price and I wasn't a happy man. But thanks to GD, I have been able to see progress towards the plans of paying my bridal price. It is the joy of every man to settle their bridal price on time.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to start a second-hand clothes business in my village. I have realized that most people travel a long distance to purchase clothes which can be brought to them.
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 purchase a few cows which I will be taking to my father-in-law. I had not finished paying my bridal price because of insufficient resources but thanks to GD I will be completing my payments in the near future once I have all things ready. So far the progress is great.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, once I am done with payments for the bridal price I am hopeful that I will have gathered my resources and my second-hand clothes business will be up and running.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I have less burden on fending for my family given that I have money from GiveDirectly, my farm work to do not earn me much and getting this money helps me boost the little I make from the farm produce. The iron sheets I bought too has made me have an easy time doing this. Not all the money I get goes to food, At least Iam able to plan and do other projects at the same time fend for my family.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
For me to build this house, tradition requires me to have paid my wife's dowry. This is my goal in the next four months. I am hopeful that I shall have abided by my traditions then.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have been staying in a dilapidated grass thatched house that is now leaking. This for a long time has been so uncomfortable given that I have young children, the cold, has been too much and I have always been wondering where to get the money to build them a better house. I am happy this is the difference I can now talk about it my daily life. I have iron sheets, they are not enough yet but the fact that I have bought a number of them gives me some peace of mind knowing that my dream of owning a good iron roofed house is soon becoming a reality.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I want to shall have paid my wife's dowry. This will change my life knowing that I have met what traditions require of me. In my culture, if you do not do this, it is like you are still carrying some burden on your shoulders that one day you will have to fulfill. I have a peace of mind then, knowing that I do not owe her family anymore.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
4560 KES ($45 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to buy the iron sheets soon enough and now I am certain that I will have the house I have always desired.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months,I expect to have completed building my new house and I will be staying in a more comfortable house.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it would have been had I never received the transfer in that have been able to buy the iron sheets soon enough without having to struggle so much.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to build an iron roofed house.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The greatest hardship I had faced in my life was difficulty in feeding my family members in town, when the stock of clothes I used to sell to earn a livelihood got burned. We had to relocate as a family back home
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when my wife and I sit around the table and take super as we reflect on the activities we managed to do successfully during the day.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I would like to use my transfer in building a new house because my current grass thatched house is small and cannot comfortably accommodate my growing family.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The greatest achievement in my life was ability to start up and run successful second hand clothes business that enabled me provide support for my family.