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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Completed
Newsfeed > Reuben's Profile
Reuben's family
Reuben
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Reuben's next check-in.
 
25th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My house is currently made of mud with rusted iron sheets, and every time it rains, the mud covering the walls is washed away, leaving the house in a precarious condition. To address this issue, I plan to purchase sand, stones, and cement to build stone-walled pillars that will reinforce the stability of the entire house. By repairing the house in this way, I hope to put an end to the frequent and costly repairs I've been forced to make. I am very happy and deeply appreciative of the financial assistance I have received from the transfers, which have been instrumental in elevating my life and enabling me to plan for a more secure and comfortable living environment.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am thrilled that my daughter is just one month away from completing her college studies. This achievement is something I would not have accomplished without the financial support from the cash transfers. The skills she has gained in her tailoring course will propel her to start her own business or secure employment once she finishes her studies. I paid $40 in school fees, enabling her to continue her education without any interruptions. Additionally, I paid $10 in school fees for my six other children who are in primary school, ensuring that they remained in school and were able to sit for their end-of-term exams. Before enrolling in the cash program, I purchased a motorcycle on hire purchase. To ensure I did not default, I spent $10 on the monthly installment and an additional $8 on maintenance, keeping the motorcycle in good condition. I also invested $20 in purchasing a goat and a hen, which excites me as I anticipate my investment will double in the near future. To ensure my family had enough to eat, I spent $24 on food, and I am glad that we never lacked anything during this month. I am very happy and deeply appreciative of the financial support from the cash transfers, which have played a crucial role in helping me educate my children and improve our quality of life.
 
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My plan is to use the transfers from GiveDirectly to purchase more goats and expand my livestock holdings. I intend to nurture them diligently, aiming for their numbers to multiply over time. My ultimate goal is to build a substantial herd, which I can then sell for a significant profit in the future. This venture fills me with hope and excitement, as it represents a pathway towards greater financial stability for my family. Additionally, I am committed to continuing my hard work with my motorcycle. By saving diligently from my earnings, I aim to boost my finances further. With time, I envision my savings growing, boosted by the proceeds from goat sales. Together, these funds will pave the way for the realization of my lifelong dream: building a sturdy and permanent home for my family. The thought of providing my loved ones with a secure and comfortable dwelling fills me with immense joy and gratitude. It's a dream that has sustained me through difficult times, and now, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, it is within reach. I am very grateful for this opportunity and excited for the bright future it holds for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfers, I faced a pressing issue: my motorcycle, essential for earning our daily bread, had broken down and required immediate repairs. With no spare funds at hand, I allocated $22 towards its repair and servicing. Getting it back in working order was paramount, as it meant I could continue supporting my family. I'm relieved that my motorcycle is now functional again. Despite the modest earnings it provides, I take pride in being able to contribute what little I can to my family's well-being. However, challenges loomed on other fronts. My children had accrued school fees debt, a burden I was eager to lift. Hence, I promptly allocated $25 to settle their dues, ensuring their uninterrupted education. Food scarcity was another concern that was eating me up and with $15 from the transfers, I made sure to purchase food, ensuring my children wouldn't go hungry. Their well-being is my utmost priority, and I cannot bear to see them deprived of basic necessities. With the remaining $40, I invested in livestock, a goat and chicken. It's a small start, but I am optimistic that they will yield dividends in the future. My plan is to nurture them, allowing them to multiply, and eventually selling them when the need arises.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I currently reside on my brother's land, but my aspiration is to acquire my own property to provide a stable home for my family. This dream stems from the desire for security and to minimize conflicts with my brother. The assistance from Give Directly has brought me immense joy, as it has proven instrumental in addressing my family's essential needs during challenging financial times. The support has been pivotal in navigating through difficulties and ensuring the well-being of my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a motorcyclist who acquired my motorcycle through a hire purchase arrangement, requiring me to make monthly installment payments. These payments, totaling $30, have enabled me to retain ownership of the motorcycle, which, in turn, has been crucial for sustaining my livelihood. Additionally, I allocated $10 of these funds towards covering a portion of the school fees for my six children, all of whom are currently enrolled in primary school. I am pleased that my children are able to pursue their education. Furthermore, I invested $44 in purchasing a goat and two hens with the expectation that their multiplication will contribute to a boost in income. This investment aligns with my optimistic outlook on the potential for increased revenue from the livestock in the future. To address the basic needs of my family, I allocated $18 towards purchasing food. I express deep gratitude for the financial assistance provided by Give Directly, as it has played a vital role in supporting my family during challenging economic periods when my earnings from my job as a motorcycle taxi are limited.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After clearing my motorcycle debt, my primary objective is to construct a durable and permanent house. Although my current dwelling provides ample space, its construction from mud and weak poles makes it susceptible to deterioration over time. To address this concern, I have made plans to build a stone-walled house that can withstand not only the test of time but also the challenges posed by the rainy season. This will ensure the safety of my family and our belongings, alleviating any worries about potential collapses or damage. I am delighted with the support I have received through the transfer, as it has enabled me to provide for my family even during these challenging economic times. I am grateful for the positive impact it has had on our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving financial aid from Give Directly, I was facing significant challenges as the primary provider for my family. In an effort to improve my income, I made the decision to purchase a motorcycle through a hire-purchase agreement. However, this decision came with its own set of difficulties. The high cost of fuel and a decrease in customers made it extremely tough for me to meet the monthly payments. Fortunately, the financial support I received from Give Directly has brought a sense of relief to my life. I was able to allocate $39 towards paying off the debt for the motorcycle, and I am now nearing its full ownership. With only $200 remaining, I will soon have complete ownership of the motorcycle. Additionally, I utilized more than $35 of the transfer funds to cover the school fees for my six children. This support also extended to my two children who are currently enrolled in college. Without the assistance of these transfers, it would have been incredibly challenging for me to fulfill my family's financial obligations while simultaneously making payments for the motorcycle. I am truly grateful for the help I have received, as it has alleviated the burden of family expenses and allowed me to continue with the motorcycle payments. The financial aid from Give Directly has had a significant impact on my life, providing me with hope and a path towards a more stable future for my family.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a desire to construct a new house, as my current one is in poor condition. The tin roof has corroded over time, resulting in water leakage during rainy days. Additionally, the house is made of mud, making it less stable and more prone to damage. I aim to build a new two-room house with a more durable structure, that is made of bricks instead of mud. However, financial constraints have made it difficult to pursue this goal, but if I can find a breakthrough or opportunity, I will build the house. I am determined to invest the cash transfers I receive into building the house. Besides, having a tangible outcome like a new house would provide a clear and meaningful purpose for the funds I receive.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was facing financial challenges due to unemployment, and to address my family's needs and generate income, I purchased a motorbike on a loan. However, the repayment of the loan has become a burden, especially considering the lack of passengers to ferry on the bike. So, to prevent the debt from accumulating, I paid $15 to reduce the loan amount. This will help me in managing the loan repayment. Furthermore, there was a debt at my child's school, and I am relieved to have settled it using $15 from the transfer. The remaining funds, $4, were utilized for essential household expenses such as food, as there was none at the moment.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
When my family moved to this new location in December, I built a temporary mud-house to accommodate them for the time as I lacked enough funds for a more stable house. I look forward to building a new three-room house in the next year, made of brick walls and an iron sheet roof. I trust to have the capacity to save from the upcoming transfers and my daily earnings to start buying the materials. Once I have assembled all building materials, I plan to hire a mason to construct the structure. 
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family of two wives and eight children solely depend on me to provide for their daily needs like food and school fees. I ride a  motorcycle to raise money for them. However, the $3 that I make daily hardly affords enough meals given the dramatically rising food prices. Even after I buy food, there is nothing left to pay school fees for my children, which is why they are always in debt at school. So, when I received the recent transfer, I paid $10 to the school to reduce the balance that had been carried from last year. I also spent $10 on food to ensure there were enough meals at home to buy me time for raising more money. Next, I paid an installment of $10 to the two-acre piece of land that my family and I relocated to last December. Finally, I bought three chickens with the remaining amount to start rearing. From the transfer I received in December, I spent $19 to pay for the land, $10 to reduce the school fee debt, and $5 to repay a loan I had acquired to buy my motorcycle. 
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has enabled most people to provide basic household needs and even pay school fees for their children in various schools. This was not easy before due to no steady sources of income. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $10 on paying school fees for my son in high school. He is now studying well without being sent home like before. This was affecting his performance since he would miss some of the lessons. I am a motorcycle taxi operator. The money that I get from this work is so small and it is only for basic household needs I was not able to pay all the school fees on time. Besides that, I paid $10 as an installment for the motorcycle since I bought it on higher purchase. I wish to continue paying the balance and own the motorcycle fully. I spent the remaining amount of money on food and basic household items for the family. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has enabled us to educate our children.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had received a call a day before the transfer from a credit company that sold me a motorcycle on credit warning me to service the credit on time, or they would confiscate it. This got me worried because I had spent on it and besides, it is my main source of income. Luckily, GiveDirectly came to my rescue. The transfer was a lifesaver!! I was excited by the news and immediately paid for the credit.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is having serviced my loan which was a burden. I bought a motorcycle on credit which I operate for taxi services. It is our main source of income and at times raising KES 2700 weekly to service the debt is a challenge. I was almost losing it because I had defaulted for a week, but I am glad that I was able to make the payments with the help of the first transfer. I feel relieved and I can at least save some money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I hail from a drought-prone area with limited economic activities and for the few that are available, they do pay well because of the poverty level in the region. I relied on the charcoal business but it has a low market demand mainly because everyone is in the business. Later, I bought a motorcycle on credit which I am to service for 18 months with weekly installments of KES 2700. There are times I strain to raise the amount because I am the main income in the family. When I received the first transfer, I added it to the savings I had and paid for the weekly installments. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I did not default.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am so delighted knowing that in a couple of months once I start receiving these transfers I will get some aid in paying off the motorcycle I took on hire purchase. I pay the company 2000 KES every week and it has been a hustle. I am required to clear the balance by next year's June and with, the transfer I am guaranteed that at least once a week I will be able to pay them with ease. My next course of action once I am done with the above, I will build a two-roomed house. I would love to have a big modern house where I can live comfortably with my children. I have a budget of around 90000 KES. I know this is doable since my two wives will be receiving this money. We will do this together.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happy that throughout this year no one in my family has fallen ill. Last year was full of challenges because at one point my second wife and my lastborn son fell ill. I spent almost all of my earnings on their medication and it was sad to see them in pain. It is a relief that it is not the case this year.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
If there was ever a time I struggled financially it is now. I used to work for a water company but I was laid off in September 2021. Luckily I was able to buy a motorcycle on hire purchase and it was a solace to know I had an avenue where I would earn from. The downside is my finances are tighter than ever since I have to set aside 2000 KES every week for the motorcycle. The profit I make from my operations is 2000 KES, this is what I use to feed a family of 13, (two wives and eleven children), and pay school fees for nine of them. At the end of the day, I am left penniless.