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 > Sharon's Profile
Sharon's family
Sharon
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
29
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Sharon's next check-in.
 
26th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
At the moment, I do not have any new plans but to ensure I follow through with my previously set plan of completing the payment on a piece of land I purchased months ago. I have been saving every month and will continue doing so until I raise the full amount which I will then use to clear the balance.
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 am now less stressed and much more financially stable than I was before I started receiving the transfers. Being the sole breadwinner of my family and depending on low-paying casual jobs was always very tough because I could never get enough money for the daily household needs. On several occasions, I would not get any jobs at all which meant going hungry or having inadequate meals. This is not the case anymore as I now have the transfers to support in taking care of these needs and I don't have to stress out whenever I am unable to get any jobs.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My expectation is that in the next six months, I will have fully cleared the rest of the payment on the piece of land I recently purchased so that I can get its full ownership. I have been saving some part of the monthly transfers towards this course and hopefully, I will soon have enough to do this. I also started thinking of ways to earn extra income so that I can eventually be financially stable. I have not yet decided on how to achieve this but all I know is that I need to work harder and have an extra source of income. This will ensure that my children never go hungry at any given time or miss critical school sessions when they are sent home for delayed fee payments. This will ensure they have ample time to study and hopefully do well. Apart from that, being financially stable comes with some sense of respect, especially as a woman. People will respect you more when you can take care of your needs on your own without necessarily depending on anyone.
 
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I have plans of buying two dairy cows. I plan to do this when I get my monthly merry go round contributions within the next four months.These dairy cows shall be of great help to me since it will improve the level of income for my family and generally bring a rise in my living standards and that of my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life that has happened in the last four months is that I now have peace of mind. This is because unlike before, I do not lack anything and when I run short of cash I can always take goods from my nearest shopkeeper on credit since they can always trust me to pay them back at the end of the month. I have also been able to buy goats to add into my assets. These assets shall help me a lot in the long run even when I am faced with any financial emergencies. I also plan to sell them in the next four months and be able to buy cows that will give me more income and improve the livelihood of my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months I see my life changing in that I shall have more assets that will make me more financially stable. Assets such as dairy cows and other livestock investments shall allow me to have some extra income that will improve the living standards of my family in the long run.
 
20th 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?
Now I am no longer stressed up. Initially, I wouldn't invest in anything but now I am living a better life. My children are studying and I am at peace. I am now employed as a caregiver in a neighbouring school and I can easily take care of my family needs without taking loans.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next 4 months, I would like to buy a cow. My main aim for this is not for milk production but to resell it will later. This will enable me to purchase a piece of land where I would build a home and live with my 4 children. We separated with husband due to unfaithfulness and lack of responsibility. He was violent and It took me ten years to make this decision of moving out of the compound. I now have peace of mind and I no longer have to worry about frequent family conflicts.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I recently broke up with my husband. This meant all responsibilities of raising our family were on my shoulders. I was lucky to be one of the beneficiaries of Give Directly since I have been able to save and buy 7 goats. I plan to sell these goats then buy a dairy cow. I will later sell the cow and buy a piece of land in my neighbourhood. This is where I am planning to build my home and settle with my four children. The greatest difference is that I have these assets. At least I have somewhere to start from and I am hopeful that if all goes well by next year I will have bought the piece of land.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would have bought two cows and with the saving which I will be making both from my salary and the transfer which I receive from GiveDirectly. I will actualize my dream a piece of land. This is where I will establish my home. I won't be bothering my mother with my family issues anymore.
 
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
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?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago. I have bought and installed furniture and bedding in my house. I no longer sleep on the floor like I used to.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I plan to buy a cow. I will sell the sheep that I have bought and use the money to purchase a dairy cow.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life is that can easily provide for my family. I had developed ulcers because I was thinking too hard. I was almost giving up . Especially when I had a small baby and had nothing to eat. Life was too hard and yet I could not get jobs to fend for the rest of the family. I was still the only breadwinner for the family and my only hope cam from the transfers.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to have changed in the next six months. I will be having a dairy cow. This will help me feed my family and provide food as I sell milk to get money.
 
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different because,four months ago,my relationship with my husband was not good.I used to borrow money from time to time which would often irritate him.I no longer have quarrels since i use the money I receive from this transfer wisely.I now can cover some family daily expenditure and has eased his struggles. My relationship with him has greatly improved.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to buy a dairy cow.This will help me to have milk for my family and also use it as an income generator.I will also keep contributing to my savings in my table banking group.
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 now have ability to meet my basic needs.I bought a bed and good bedding.I have good sleep every night that allows me to be happy and strong daily.This has made me do well in what I do.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months,I will have bought a cow and sheep to rear.I will also have built a house for my children to live in.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
455 KES ($4 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to go into farming fully growing beans.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I now have confidence that I will get transfers from GD and will boost my plans.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months i see myself leaving casual labour and doing my own works boosted by GD transfers
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the believe and confidence that GD will assist me will see my plan through.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Putting up with family conflict is the biggest hardship i have faced in my life. My husband's family does not want me here and it has been challenging even to my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of the day because i get to organize myself for the day's activities. This is the time i get a chance to improve my life even more.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
Am planning to use my tranfer on diary farming. I want to purchase a diary cow to help me and my family in improving our livelihoods.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
Starting up crop farming is an achievement am proudest of in my life. Since i started i have been able to provide for my children.