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 > James's Profile
James's family
James
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Street trading - non-food (works for others)
faceAge:
20
workCampaign
FSD / Urban Youth
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on James's next check-in.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($40 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving these transfers is that I have rented my own house. I have been living with my friend who has been doing most of the things in the house. I did not have any stable source of income. He has been paying rent while I support on buying food. This has been the case for the past two years until I started receiving these transfers from GD. I used my transfers to rent a house and since then I have been buying household items such as utensils, bedding and television. I know very soon my house will be full all because of GD transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My plans for the next transfers is to ensure I pay my house rent and budgeting for the house in time. I want to focus my transfer on maintaining my house by paying my rent in time and ensuring I have enough to eat in the house on a daily basis.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to repair television which had fallen and the screen was broken and not working. There was no display on the screen because of the breakage. I was feeling uncomfortable having gotten used to watching new every day. This is why I chose to repair it. The rest of the transfer I used on buying food for the family. Ever since I started getting the transfers, I have always practised buying food once a month. It helps cut on our daily expenditure.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($39 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference I have in my life so far in having a house of my own where I can now enjoy full privacy. Before, I was living together with a friend due to my inability to pay my own rent owing to my lack of income which was very tough as I had to bear all uncomfortable situations that usually come with living in another man's house. Even though I am not yet financially stable, I am glad that the transfers have always made it easy for me to pay my rent on time and am doing all that is necessary to ensure that I am able to pay my own rent or living in my own house by the time the project is over to avoid going back to my previous lifestyle.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
We were recently awarded a piece of land as a group by the Government through our area chief which was handed over to us last month. The instruction was that we make use of the land as soon as possible for our own benefits which is why I decided that I will construct a house on my portion of the land so that I can eventually quit paying rent which is my biggest challenge. Even though saving some of my transfers have always been a challenge, I now have to do my best to save so that I can construct a house on that portion as soon as possible. I am currently working hard to ensure I get a better paying job so that I can set aside my entire transfers to help with the purchase of the required construction materials which only consists of timber, nails and iron sheets.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I earn very little from my current job which leaves me without any choice but to depend on the transfers to pay for my bills and take care of other needs. I used most of the money I received this month to pay my rent of KES3000 and spent the rest on personal items such as a new trouser.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($48 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had rented a house with a friend in town and depended on him for payment of the monthly house rent. I was not comfortable living in this state of begging in town. My dream was to have my own room to live in. My life is now different because, through the transfers, I have now moved into my own house. The transfers so far have enabled me to consistently pay my monthly rent.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I am planning to sell second-hand clothes over the next few months. I am still in the process of saving enough money to enable me to achieve this. So far, the transfer has enabled me to save every month. My desire is also to have my own premises to run this business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent Ksh 2500 of my most recent transfer to pay for my house rent. At least now I can comfortably pay my rent every month unlike before when I had to struggle. I also took 1500 to cater for my household expenses like foodstuffs and paying other expenses. I saved KES 1000 to my bank account, which I am hoping that my savings will accumulate to enable me to open a second-hand cloth business from which I will be generating my own income.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($50 USD)
access_time over 5 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 start a new business where I sell second hand clothes. I will save part of my monthly transfers and use the savings to start this business. I have been depending on the little money I get from casual jobs to meet my basic needs such as food. this business will thus be a regular source of income to meet my basic needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I no longer live with my cousin. Before receiving my transfer, I used to live with my cousin since I could not afford to rent my own house with the little money I got from casual jobs. I used my transfer to rent a house and I am now happy since I am independent and I have acquired all the household items such as utensils and chairs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend my most recent transfer to pay rent since I depend on casual jobs which are not regular and the money I get is not enough to pay rent and buy food. I also bought food and saved the remaining amount because I am planning to start a new business where I sell second hand clothes. This will be a regular source of income to meet my basic needs.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
It was five o'clock in the morning when I received my transfers. I was very happy since I have never received such big amount and I knew that I will move to my house and will no longer depend on my cousin.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I would like to pay rent, this is very important to me, being able to settle in time. I would also buy food and help sustain my life. Lastly, I will start selling heavy jackets and t-shirts in my place. Not many people are engaging in this kind of work and is profitable.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is unemployment because without work I am unable to sustain my life. I may struggle to have food on the table and this could result in begging or engage in criminal activities. Being idle, youth are referred to as suspects hence a target of police arrest and assassination which is common in my place.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I would want to be a driver with the public service vehicles. Its a job I have admired for long. It pays good and you cannot sleep hungry because you are guaranteed money daily.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
I wake up and take breakfast in the morning, then I go to my place of work, where I sell water to the community. In the evening, I go back to my house, take bath then I sleep. When I am not at work, I wash clothes, arrange my house and then visit friends and relax with them.