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 > James's Profile
James's family
James
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workCampaign
Kenya RCT Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
attach_money
 
Follow to be updated on James's next check-in.
 
71st Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($18 USD)
access_time 2 months ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As mentioned earlier, my primary concern has been accessing medical services easily. Over the next year, I remain committed to working towards my current goals. I have been dealing with blood pressure issues, but having medical insurance coverage has been a great help. With each transfer I receive, I prioritize paying my NHIF subscription, ensuring that my healthcare needs are met. The remaining funds are allocated to address immediate and urgent needs. I will continue to manage my transfers in the same manner as before, as I have witnessed significant improvements in my quality of life. In addition, I do have one daughter in secondary school and another in junior secondary school, so I will be focusing on their education and ensuring they have the necessary support and resources to succeed in their academics.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly excels in giving monthly support to individuals in our village. I have personally witnessed the commitment to reaching out to vulnerable members of our community, ensuring that no one is left behind. The efforts extend beyond just providing financial assistance; it prioritizes making personal visits to those in need. Additionally, GiveDirectly maintains regular phone communication to keep in touch with us, ensuring that we are supported and informed. From my perspective, there is no aspect of their work that is lacking. GiveDirectly's dedication to serving our community and their comprehensive approach to assistance have made a significant positive impact on our lives. I am grateful for the support and the positive changes it has brought to our village.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I prioritize my monthly transfers by allocating them to essential expenses that have significantly improved my life. Part of my last four months transfers went on paying my NHIF subscription of $ 7.5 every month, ensuring I can access necessary medical care for my high blood pressure condition. This brings me peace of mind and better health. I also allocated $ 10 every month to pay for electricity, ensuring uninterrupted power supply. Additionally, $11.5 was used on a monthly basis to buy food for my family, providing us with nutritious meals and alleviating any concerns about hunger. The transfers have positively transformed my life by reducing financial stress and enabling me to meet my basic needs. I no longer struggle as I did before, and my family's well-being is significantly improved.
 
68th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($20 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the next one year, I hope to work on my current goals. I have been battling with blood pressure issue but being in cover has dealt me a good deal. As I c continue to receive my transfers, I always always prioritize to pay NHIF subscription wile the rest can help me to meet the immediate and urgent needs. Instead I will continue to spend my transfer in the same manner I have been spending it. Through that I have witnessed a great improvement in my way of life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does so well in giving financial support every month to every member in our village. Consequent to the transfers, we are always in a position to access some credit facility from friends in the event we are in financial crisis. That could not work out for us at first because people were afraid that a number of us could not repay back loan due to lack of reliable source of income. Basically, it has made life to be relatively better among our community members. The little challenge I have witnessed is the unpredictable time when the transfer is sent to us. However, there is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For the past four months, the transfers I received had been helpful to me in terms of paying NHIF subscriptions. I did spend KES 500 on NHIF and KES 800 on power every month. The rest of the transfers on a monthly basis were helpful to me in terms of fueling my motorcycle. That has enabled me to have extra source of income since I do motorcycle taxi business with it. Consequently, I do not struggle as much as I used to before I began to receive my transfers. I am so grateful for the support from GiveDirectly for its continued financial support.
 
64th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main goal for the coming year is to raise enough money for my son, who is currently in form three, to pay his school fees. Next year, he will be a candidate, so he will need plenty of study time at school to enable him to focus on his studies to make him record good performance in the national examinations. Since my income from the small business I now run is unreliable, I will set aside $10 each month from my transfers and ask my friends and family to help me.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
According to me, GiveDirectly's financial support program is consistently reliable, which enables its beneficiaries to make informed decisions. Additionally, the organization constantly monitors how the transfers impact its beneficiaries because doing so helps it to improve the way it operates. However, the transfer dates need to be reviewed so that we can receive the funds during the first week of the month to enable us to meet our basic needs in time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My electricity bill shot from about $4 per month to $8 per month as a result of the higher rate of power consumption. Due to the unpaid invoices over the preceding three months, I accumulated large debts which became too hectic to repay. So, to help lessen the cost burden, I used $15 of my most recent transfer to pay for a portion of the bill. I also paid $5 to activate my insurance policy coverage to avoid penalties for late payments and used the remaining $9 to buy two-kilogram cans of maize and other food items for my family.
 
59th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I intend to renovate my house by coloring it and fixing the leaking roof - it was colored ten years ago but has since faded. The roof also leaks because the iron sheets have become too old. I have saved $2600 by giving the hardware attendant money in bits for this purpose. I will continue to save more money from my income to actualize this goal by May this year.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Giving financial support to everyone has empowered people to save and engage in projects like saving water. This helps the community get access to clean water as water sources are very far away from our homes. I think uniform transfer was not a good choice, people with fewer responsibilities ought to have been given a slightly low amount.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used my most recent transfer to pay $5 for my medical insurance scheme (National Health Insurance Fund) and also paid an electricity bill of $7 to reduce my financial burdens. Next, I bought eight two-kilogram tins of maize for $12 and other foodstuffs worth $5 which I stocked to cushion us against hunger. Buying enough food helped reduce my daily expenses hence was able to balance my needs using the income from my motorcycle taxi business and the small-scale business that I operate.
 
56th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($24 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
 
The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
52nd Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($25 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
 
The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
48th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
 
The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
43rd Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
40th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
 
The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
36th Payment
Transfer Amount
2950 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
 
The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
32nd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($21 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
attach_money
 
The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
28th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($21 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
attach_money
 
The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.