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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Sharon's Profile
Sharon's family
Sharon
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
21
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
attach_money
 
Follow to be updated on Sharon's next check-in.
 
20th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
As a farmer, I always wish to improve my farming by either diversifying or modernizing my farming practices to increase my returns. In the next four months, I have a new goal of increasing my livestock by buying a goat. I prefer this since it cheaper compared to a cow. I see it as an added asset that will not only act as a reminder of GiveDirectly but also be security to lean on in case of a financial crisis.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life in the last four months of receiving transfers from Give Directly is that I am now happy with life since I have a project that has been slowly improving courtesy of GiveDirectly. I now own twelve chickens with some already in the egg-laying stage. Being a farmer such an additional project in my farm is a step ahead. I am happy that I currently, I get eggs from my poultry for both household consumption and sales. I currently find it easier providing for my daily household expenditures since I supplement my income with egg sales income. As our monthly transfer come to an end, I am certain that I will continuously get a monthly income from my poultry farming.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change a lot in the next six months because I shall have more poultry and subsequently expect offspring from my goat. Besides, I will be spending more time on my farm and significantly reduce the amount of time and energy that I could otherwise be spending on my neighbors' farm. There will be a switch on my main source of income from the casual work that I normally do to being self-employed and working on my farm. I expect to be in a better position to meet my family needs especially my children's school fees on time to give them a humble time in school.
 
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, I have new and good clothes. Before the transfers, I used to beg for clothes from my friends whenever I had to go for a journey. I started buying new clothes every month which has helped from having to beg anymore. Thanks to GiveDirectly for saving me the shame of asking for clothes from friends.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In September, I will be joining college and I believe that the transfer which I will be receiving in the next few months I will be saving towards paying my school fees and paying for other school necessities.
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 the transfer which we have been receiving has enabled us to provide daily food for our family unlike before when we could skip meals due to the financial hardships we were going through as a family. We depended on farming maize and due to unreliable rainfall, the maize failed to yield so well and this caused us food shortage. We had to spend a lot daily on buying foodstuffs, which at times my parents would fail to provide due to lack of money. But ever since GiveDirectly gave us the transfer, we have never missed basics like food.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will have a joint college and this will be my the beginning of my journey my career. I am planning to pursue accounting and believe that after I graduate I will get a job and will be independent financially in future.
 
12th 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?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago because I have managed to collect my secondary school certificate after settling arrears of about 15000 KES that I had. Accordingly, I believe my dream of becoming an accountant will most probably materialize. Besides, I feel more independent since I have relatively sufficient funds for purchasing clothes for me and my child. Finally, I am less stressed because I am now more hopeful of a better future since I will further my studies and secure some good job.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The additional goal for my life for the next four months is to join college to further my studies since I have acquired my secondary school certificate. I endeavor to pursue a course in accounting so that I may secure a brighter future. Accordingly, I will save the money that I have been receiving from GiveDirectly to facilitate my studies. Besides, I will seek additional finances from my relatives and parents to raise college fees.
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 afforded to secure my secondary school certificate. Since completing my secondary school studies about two years ago, I had never managed to raise funds for settling the pending arrears of about 15000 KES. Accordingly, I was much stressed because I could not further my studies. Luckily, GiveDirectly came to rescue me. I paid the arrears and collected my certificate last month after saving the funds that I have been receiving from GiveDirectly. Thus, I am delighted and more hopeful of a brighter future since I will further my studies.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect my life to change a lot. This is because I will be at college pursuing my course. Still, I will no longer be doing the tedious casual work that I have been doing. Accordingly, I will be enjoying ample time for my studies. Finally, I will have ventured into farming to attract more income to funds my studies. Thanks a lot GiveDirectly.
 
6th 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 because I am able to buy toiletries and clothes. Things were tough initially, even getting a bar soap was so difficult but now things are different and better courtesy of Give Directly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to join college. I will take a diploma course in tourism. The Give Directly transfer will enable me to pay tuition fee and accommodation at Eldoret Polytechnic. Because I joined a merry-go-round group in our village, the pooled funds will be enough to cater for tuition and accommodation fee.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I am stress-free and feel like a human being once again. This is the biggest difference in my daily life. The anxiety of not continuing my studies used to depress me almost even losing my mind - there were no funds to take me to college due to my poor background. I am so hopeful now and optimistic. It feels as though Give Directly has caused light to shine in my dark world; it is now bright and I am grateful.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to be better in the next six months. I would have begun college and will be going on for two years. This is a new hope for me. Thank you for the transfer. My life is back on track.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
attach_money
 
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal that I didn't have before receiving the transfers is that I have planned to pay college fees for myself since I know that after graduating, I will be in a position to get a good paying job hence improve my living standards
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life currently is different from how it would have been without the transfers since currently I am happier having been in a position to pay for school fees arrears which was a problem before. I see my dream of going to college coming true become in the next six months, I will acquire my certificate which was retained in school due to fee balance. Had I not received the transfers, I would be stressed knowing that there would be no where I would get such an amount of money
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change to better in the next six months since by then I will acquired my form four certificate and have enrolled myself in a college with which after graduating and getting a job, my living standards will be better
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 the transfers is that I am happy because at least I have taken a step in acquiring my certificate which initially retained in school due to school fees arrears
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When i was in form three,i was sent home from school to collect fees.Back home,my parents were unable to raise it hence i had to drop out of school for one year.I was so depressed and in that period i became pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy.Even though i eventually went back to complete my studies,my family has never treated me very well since i had my baby
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when my son and i wake up in good health.This makes me happy because i have another day to do casual jobs so that i can provide for him
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I plan to spend the tranfer on starting a small business of buying and selling milk in order to get an income
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
When i was about to complete my secondary education,my parents could not raise my school fees.So i planted cabbages on a small piece of land and within three months i was able to clear my school fees for the year.This is the achievement am proudest of.