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 > Mathews's Profile
Mathews's family
Mathews
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Street trading - food (self-employed)
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
FSD / Urban Youth
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Mathews's next check-in.
 
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($40 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have had an easy time paying for my daughter's school fees since I was enrolled in the project and this has enabled her to stay in school full time. Before the project, she would mostly be sent home due to delayed fee payments which really affected her studies because she missed a lot during the times she spent at home. This was mostly caused by my inability to raise the money to pay the fees on time due to my low income.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I have always used most of my transfers to pay my daughter's school fees so that she can always stay in school full time without having the disruptions of being sent away for delaying in paying her school fees. I have no new goals in my life as I would like to continue spending them in a similar manner to keep her in school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Most of the money I recently received was used to pay part of the school fees for my daughter in Private school so that she would not be sent away for delaying with the payments. I spent the rest of the money on foodstuff and other household requirements.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($39 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Receiving these transfers have positively transformed my life as I can now boast of having a stable income from my businesses which have grown to their current state all thanks to the transfers. The transfers enabled me to expand my initial business on onions, which in turn boosted my savings that allowed me to buy a motorcycle which I have leased out at a daily fee. I feel more responsible as I am now able to confidently provide for my family.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
Honestly, I do not have any new goals at the moment because I feel that I am currently at a very good place financially. I had previous plans of expanding my business to boost my profits which I have so far achieved. This has been good for me because I can now make decent savings and comfortably take care of my family. I want to keep saving as much money as possible as I still think of other investment ideas which I may share during our next conversations in case I will have any reasonable one. At the moment, I may tell you that I would like to buy a vehicle, yet, I have not given it a serious thought neither have I thought of the main reason I would like to have one and what its benefits to me would be, so, I think it is wise for me to keep saving as I carefully think of what my next plans are.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since we recently upgraded and moved into a better house, the amount I received was not enough to pay my rent of Kes 500 which had increased from the previous amount we used to pay. I added the money sent to me this month to some of my own savings and paid my rent for this month.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($48 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different from how it was in that, I have my monthly transfer which I get that has really helped in changing my life in that, I have an extra amount that I use in taking care of my needs easily. Previously, I had to do casual jobs to supplement with the business so as to get money. I am grateful that I concentrate more on my business after boosting it with the transfer and the profits are enough to take care of my daily needs.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to boost my business. I sell onions. I want to have a wholesale where I can have a huge stock where my customers can get the quantities that they want. Having been a retailer, I have to restock most of the time which is normally expensive.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my transfer on paying school fees for my child who had been sent home for two days due to fee arrears. The remaining was spent on rent. I like paying rent on time. I do not like quarreling with the landlord and this is why I decided to pay the amount first. It has also been a burden on my side and due to low income. I am glad that I have peace of mind nowadays because I am able to take care of my needs easily.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($50 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My goals now that I have started receiving the money is to buy a piece of land where I will be able to build some rental houses. By doing this, I will be living in one of the rooms and lease the remaining. I will be able to earn some income on a monthly basis and I will also be able to save the money I would have otherwise used in paying rent. I will be using my income to support my family and I am sure that my children will receive a quality education as I will be able to cater their education needs properly and on time.
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 payments from GiveDirectly is that I have been able to own a motorbike. The motorbike is my alternative source of income and owning it has really brought a lot of changes in my life. My children are no longer being sent back home to collect school fees as I now pay on time and my family also have everything they need at their disposal. All this would not be possible had it not been GiveDirectly as I would not be having an alternative source of income as I do now.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I own a motorcycle which I bought on higher purchase terms after receiving my first transfers. I had an agreement with the seller to pay the remaining amount on monthly installments. When I received my most recent transfer, I spent it to pay for it since I received the money at the time I was to pay yet I had no money to use. Acquiring a motorbike has really helped me a lot since it is now my alternative source of income and I have been able to meet all my family needs on time.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
It was early in the morning when I woke up when I realized that had two unread messages. Upon reading to know its contents, my heart was filled with happiness. This money came as a savior as I knew that I would be able to pay for the motorbike without much struggle if I buy it on higher purchase terms.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Currently I sell agricultural products like onions in wakulima market that's within Nairobi city,I would want to improve this business by adding more stock. I have a child who's in class 5, I would want to pay her school fees since sometimes I encounter challenges with fees. Thirdly, paying my rent has been a challenge as well due to this, I would also want to settle my rent debts so as avoid future inconveniences.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is being arrested because I ever been arrested and tasted how it feels. Once you've been caught, your life stands still making you ceasing to exist,your life becomes stagnant and one becomes lonely and alot of shame befalls on you. Most young people have lost hope since they were caught either committed a crime or sometimes just a lie,this is because of our surroundings perpetrates to this.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I would want to live a good life like other people whereby I migrate from mathare and go elsewhere because I do not like the way people live here. One encounters crime like allover and lack of discipline among young people and dirty environment. About my business, I would want to be supplying my agricultural products on a large scale for currently i am just operating on a Small scale.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
On my usual day I wake up as early as 5pm rush to the market to secure early customers. Such morning time is the best hour to get good agricultural products and get quick market, apart from that we also run a public toilet and poultry as a group. On my free time I like riding skates within mashimoni area. I have been doing this for the last three months.