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 > Kevin's Profile
Kevin's family
Kevin
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
24
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Kevin's next check-in.
 
17th 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?
I have a new goal of saving the transfers and add to my other savings. I plan to buy a cow and a goat to use in paying the dowry for my wife.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily is that I have been able to pay school fees for my children with a lot of ease. I had an agreement with the headteacher that I would be paying the school fees in instalments i.e. every month when I receive the transfers and that has helped me clear the fee in time. This enabled my children to concentrate more on their school work as they are hardly sent home due to any outstanding fee balances. This has lifted the burden off my shoulder of having to hustle twice as much to provide food for the family and also pay the fees. I have also been able to buy food for my family on a daily basis with ease and we never have to go hungry anymore.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have bought the building materials and built a new house in my own compound. I still live in my father's compound and I wish to have my own so that my sons can have a place to build their own houses in future.
 
14th 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?
My life is different from how it would have been four months ago in that I have never missed the food in my house. It's a total difference since I used to struggle to put food on the table because of low income from casual work. This was my main source of income and due to many other family demands, I used to strain financially and would have to forgo other family needs. Ever since I started receiving g these transfers, I do budget for food once a month which has made a whole lot of difference in my family.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal in the next four months is to buy cows which I will use in paying dowry for my wife. I got married two years ago and since then I have not paid dowry due to low income from casual work. With the opportunity provided by GD, I want to ensure I pay the dowry.
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 these transfers is that I have three sheep which I bought with my transfers. I have never managed to buy any kind of livestock as I would want to due to low income from casual work. I have had to deal with the opinion of my villagers as the poorest. This is the reason why I decided to buy sheep so that I could do away the bad name. Right now, I feel rich in as much as I do not have much in life.
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 have built a new house. I would want to use my transfers to buy building materials such as iron sheets, timber, and nails which I will use in building a house in my own compound. Right now I am staying in my parent's compound and would want to have my own.
 
10th 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?
My life is currently different from how it was in that I have been able to take care of my needs easily. When I get the transfer I normally do shopping that can last for a while. For instance, I have been buying maize in bulk. This good habit makes us not lack food for the entire month. I only need to look for vegetables and cooking oil or just take porridge; Its better than sleeping hungry. I can now freely use the other money that I get from casual jobs to take care of other needs. I thank Give Directly for choosing to help this village.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to start rearing animals. I know that this will bring change in my life because I will be able to plough my parcel of land by myself. I will not have to work for someone so that intern we can work on mine last.
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 is that I was able to roof my new house. I had been staying in the grass-thatched house for over ten years. It had cracks and was almost collapsing. I was almost homeless and at times we were forced to ask for shelter in mother's house. I am glad that I will soon complete roofing it and will not have to bother my mother again. I am doing final touches to the new building and soon we will be staying in a complete house.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will have paid dowry. I will now be respected by my parents in law. I always avoided meeting them because I had never accomplished this goal. Since it is a taboo to meet your parents before paying dowry, I will make sure that I finish this process just to make us be free with each other. To me this will be my biggest achievement. It will be a dream come true.
 
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?
Currently, my life is different in that I am hopeful I will build an Iron sheet house since I have already bought the necessary building materials and relieve me from the challenge which I always get on staying in a leaky grassed thatched house such as looking for grass in the dry seasons which at times makes me walk for long distance without a sucess.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have been encountering alot of challenges in attending events that happen in my spouse's place and not taking part in such activities has made my in-laws look down upon me hence my new goal for the next four months to save money together with my spouse and spend it on paying off dowry her.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Life Before GiveDirectly came to my village was frustrating since I relied mostly on casual jobs for my household's income.Most of the times I couldn't get work which ment that my family and I had to live a life of hand to mouth hence I was unable to save for my child's education .When I started receiving this transfers I have been able to save and now the biggest difference in my daily life for the last four months is that I have enrolled my child to a nursery school hence I am hopefull that I will be able to educate my child .
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect in the next six months;my wife and I to have saved enough money to be able to pay her dowry which I believe it will be more of a relief as it will bring unity and togetherness between the two families.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 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 l am able to pay school fee to my children comfortably without so much stress as compared to before. l am also eating well since l got enough produce from my farm.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months l will have finish building my house and staying in it comfortably.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Had l never received the transfer from GD l could still be strangling to pay school fee for my children.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to pay dowry to my in-laws since l have stayed for so long with their daughter and l have not manage to pay dowry because of enough capital.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is living in a grass thatched house that jas been leaking during rainny seasons. My family faces psychological pressure during rainny season due to the leaking roof and the fear of the house collapsing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happiest most evenings when with my family having a meal and shairing stories.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I plan to spend my transfer to construct a bigger house that will comfortably accomodate all my family members.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is having harvested 3 sacs of maize last planting season on a small piece of land. This enabled my family to have meals all meals without straining.