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 > Gona's Profile
Gona's family
Gona
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Gona's next check-in.
 
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As I said earlier my ultimate dream is to become a driver. I have seen people drive and I like it when I see them drive. I believe I have my heart set on this dream and it is the right dream for me to achieve my goal. I want to reach about $150 so I can make enquiries on prices for training before I pursue this goal. I know that if I get a job as a driver I will make enough money to educate my children and provide a good life for them as well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Some years back I used to work as a motorcycle rider and I loved t I unfortunately had to sop because I felt I was not making enough since I was employed and most of the proceeds went into paying my employer. I did gain an interest in learning how to drive through this. I have been saving up for driving classes. I do not know how much I need but I am saving so that when I inquire I am able to afford it. I saved my entire October and November transfers to build towards this. In December I bought clothes at $10, food at $10 and saved $14 towards my driving school goal.
 
17th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to finally fulfill my long-standing dream of enrolling in college to receive training in wiring, a passion I've had for years. Despite facing financial constraints that prevented me from pursuing this dream in the past, I am determined to make it a reality. To achieve this, I have devised a plan to diligently save a minimum of $24 from my monthly transfers. By committing to this financial discipline, I aim to accumulate the necessary funds of $15,000, which will enable me to enroll in the college program and embark on the journey towards acquiring the skills and knowledge I've always desired in the field of wiring.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving GiveDirectly's money, I finally had the opportunity to address a pressing need in my life. For the longest time, I had been struggling with a limited wardrobe, constantly wearing out my clothes due to frequent washing, and unable to purchase new ones due to financial constraints. With the $134.70 I received, I immediately went shopping for some much-needed clothing worth $10, which not only boosted my confidence but also made my daily life more comfortable. Additionally, I made a wise choice to save a significant portion of the money, setting aside $24.70 to pursue my dream wiring course in the future. This decision gave me hope and a sense of purpose, as I knew that acquiring this skill would enable me to secure a stable income to support my family. Today, I walk with my head held high, grateful for the lifeline that GiveDirectly provided, allowing me to fulfill my aspirations and improve my quality of life.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have always had a passion for electrical equipment and stuff, and since I was not fortunate enough to not finish secondary school, I am currently saving up to enroll in a course at a nearby polytechnic that will allow me to pursue this passion. Every month, I set aside some money to purchase goats. I currently have seven goats, and when the time comes, I'll sell them all and utilize the money to pay for my schooling. I am so optimistic that this dream will come to pass!
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We are currently in the rainy season and since farming largely depends on rain, it was a good time to plant. I spent $25 of my my May cash transfer to ready my farm for planting and I also purchased $6 worth of maize seeds. With the remaining transfers, I topped up my savings. in my M-pesa account for a long term plan that I am working on.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 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?
I don't currently have a job or any other income. About 16 goats are what I intend to buy, and I will sell some of them later to help pay for college. I hope to complete the remaining 10 transfers this year after having already purchased six with initial transfers. I took my primary national exams in 2011, but due to a lack of funding for my registration costs, I was unable to enroll in the secondary school. Even yet, I have always had a desire for electrical installation, but I was unable to pursue it since I lacked the funds. Thanks to the initiative, I anticipate raising the enrollment price for college by the next year.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since my parents passed away when I was still a young child, I have lived with my married sister. Since then, I have depended on them. They support seven other children in addition to myself. Her husband, who is the family's primary breadwinner, purchases animals from local farmers to sell in the markets nearby, but he does not appear to profit enough from it. So that I could assist them with the household expenditures, I put $74 of the transfers I received toward the household meals. I still have $28 in savings, which I intend to invest in a goat with.
 
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the previous three transfers, I worked hard to strike a balance between buying household goods and long-term investment in my goals. Despite the high cost of living, I am grateful for the consistent support of the other four family members who receive the transfer. So far, I am glad I bought two goats for $40 each with the money I have been saving. I contributed a total of $10 from the $90 I received over the last three months, which was used to purchase household foodstuff for our family of nine. We all agreed to contribute a small amount each month to help with the purchase of groceries and other household items.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly excels at enrolling and sending direct cash transfers to all successful recipients. Without any conditions imposed on us, community members with different needs have the opportunity to select how to best spend their transfer. Because of the lack of casual work, I was able to buy food with the transfer. Although GiveDirectly's program is beneficial, it provides a much larger amount of money to recipients in other areas than what some of us receive.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 1,500 on buying food for my family. From my casual job, I have been struggling even to raise money that can comfortably meet the basic needs of my family. Unfortunately, when the transfers were sent, not only did we not have food, but we also had no money for buying food. There had been no casual jobs for the past two weeks preceding the day transfers were sent. A situation that forces me to borrow food from the neighborhood to avoid going to bed hungry. Lastly, I save the rest of the transfer to buy a goat to add to the four that I currently have.
 
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?
It was late at night and I was sitted in the house after a long day of work just passing time before going to bed.I suddenly heard the message tone and I could only gaze the message with astonishment.I couldn't believe that GiveDirectly had send me the funds.The night was filled with excitement and happiness and deep down the anxiety rose as I felt it took forever for a daybreak.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is at the moment my roof is not leaking anymore and am not worried about the rains.Moreover my intentions to start goat farming are underway which means am living closer to fulfilling my goals.I plan to focus and invest my time in goat farming in order to pay for a driving course and electrical engineering.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being raised as an orphan has been a major challenge. My mother died when I was young and my dad died when I was in class six.After finishing my high-school education,had a goal of joining college which was shattered due to my financial constraints. Currently working as a casual laborer in construction sites has been my source of income and its barely enough for my daily basic needs.My initial goal was to buy goats and start goat farming but when I received my transfer it was inevitable to assume the prolonged leaking roof especially with the rain season around the corner.I used the entire amount to buy ironsheet which replaced the rusty old piece of sheet that was my roof.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I work as a herder at my brother-in-law's home. If I get my transfers, I will purchase fifteen goats at 4000 KES. I am positive that goats can survive the current dry condition, unlike cows. This will be my future investment and after some years they would have multiplied and I will happily reap the benefits. I will use some of the remaining amount to enroll in an electrical wiring course and gain some skills that will help me earn a living in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was able to purchase two goats last year. The has now grown to five. I am delighted that I now own something and I do hope the number grows further. I planned to enroll in a wiring course after selling my goats. This will equip me with skills and I will be able to earn a living from it.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My parents died a long time ago. I could not proceed with my secondary education after finishing standard eight as there was no one to support me. I have to move to a relative who has been supporting me. I resorted to looking after his cattle as a way of contributing to the family. Joblessness due to lack of skills has been my major challenge. I have wanted to be independent but this has never happened as a result of the same.