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 > Erick's Profile
Erick's family
Erick
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
27
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($441 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Even though I accomplished all the plans I had using the first and the second transfer, I still feel the need to invest in other new ideas I currently have. At the moment, I want to venture into the clothes selling business alongside the barber shop I had been operating. I have been saving from the current business and hope to start towards the end of the year when my savings will be sufficient.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well, and I saw the results clearly in those who planned and execute their usage well. I appreciate the freedom of making our own decisions since I was able to spend on the pain points without any influence from anyone outside my household. I have nothing to complain about but thanks for the support accorded to every villager.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had a small shop that provide cheap hair shaving services to the immediate community when I received the first transfer. I wished to expand it but had other pressing issues that I have to address first with the initial support I had received. With the second transfer, I saw it was good to obtain a new shaving machine, an adjustable seat, and other consumables. I spent KES 15000, which was not in vain. I have received more customers and delivered extra services as requested by the customers. In return, I have registered a better profit margin, and always ensured the provision of enough foodstuff for my family of five. I also spent KES 23000 on buying a heifer that is potentially prolific in the future. In addition, I spent KES 3800 on household foodstuff, KES 600 on examination fees for my kids, and spent the emailing on their school uniforms, and other clothes for the rest of the family members.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($476 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
That particular day, I overslept and at around 8 am while taking tea and my wife was washing dishes. That's when I heard a message alert on my phone, on checking I confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very excited and relayed the good news to my wife.
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 the availability of adequate food for my family. This is because through the transfers I bought two bags of maize which so far will sustain my family for the next month. Earlier on, I was very stressed with too many demands and yet low daily income. This is because my wife used to call me daily before sunset just to give me a long list of household needs that I couldn't afford. Owning a dairy cow is another big difference. This is because after purchasing my piece of land two years ago my next plan was to buy a dairy cow but couldn't afford it due to my meager salary.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a father of three and have been working as a barber for the past nine years. The income has helped in the purchase of a piece of land and feeding my family over the years. On a good day, I normally get KES 300 which is majorly for household consumption. When I received my transfers, I spent KES 25,000 on a dairy cow that a neighbor had given me to rear three years ago. Since this has been a source of income for my family, I grabbed the opportunity and bought it. Secondly, I spent KES 8,000 on two bags of maize. This was a big challenge for me because from my barbershop I could only get KES 150 a day. This was not sufficient because there were many demands. But GiveDirectly came in on time and has helped cut down household expenditures. Thirdly, I spent KES 10,000 on building and furnishing my second barbershop. This is because I live on the eighth piece of land that is only sufficient for dairy farming. Lastly, I spent KES 12,000 on the latest clothing fashion which is more expensive and decent. Compared to earlier when we could only afford second-hand clothes.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Towards the end of 2020, I bought a piece of land for KES 30,000. Since I depend on livestock keeping, it is very small to even plant-animal feeds forcing me to lease extra land for the same. Receiving this money will enable me to purchase an additional quarter acre at KES 60,000. This will relieve me from stress and the burden of purchasing livestock feeds plus the family's basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Owning a piece of land and building a house for my family is what has been brought. We used to live in our parent's land which resulted in family conflicts and unresolved differences. Due to that, I bought land far away from my home where I am living peacefully.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge we are facing currently is competition from fellow businessmen. I operate a berber shop in nearby town that has 15 of them. I earn KES 150 daily that's hardly enough to raise my family of 4. The income could have been more if there were few such businesses.