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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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Loreen's Profile
Loreen's family
Loreen
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
27
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Loreen's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I have a lot of improvement in my house, I used to beg for utensils because I did not have presentable ones to serve visitors, but now I have enough and I no longer borrow unlike before. It is now vise vers a other people now come to borrow from me, I feel happy and proud because I too am like others from my village. Initially. I did not have any seat in my house and whenever people come to visit me, we used to sit under a tree or I go and borrow from my neighbours at times I used to feel ashamed but I had no otherwise.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Currently, I do not have any new goal because I am still working on my initial goal of renovating my house. The roof of my house is leaking during rainy seasons and also it is too small and can't accommodate my family members comfortably.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer is that I bought household items like utensils, tables, and chairs because these were my priorities. Initially, I used to borrow from my neighbors whenever I received visitors, that does not happen nowadays because I now have mine.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to renovate my house in the next six months because I am tired of being rained on together with my small children. I am really working hard so that I can buy materials on time and start the work as early as possible because we are approaching rainy seasons.
 
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I have been using the cash transfers to pay school fees for my children who are now able to attend their lessons uninterrupted throughout the term. I used to pay their school fees even in the [past but the difference now is that the kids attend their lessons without any interruption like it used to happen before.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I want to build a new big house for family and move away from this little structure which can barely accommodate use with our four children. We feel that the house is too small as compared to the size of the family that we currently have.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest in my life is that I have saved enough money which I used to buy a cow which was sold to me at around 10000 KES. If I had not received cash transfers from GD, I would not have been able to buy it. I believe that this domestic animal will be of great value to my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to start of a small scale business which I know will sustain me going into the future even post the transfer period. I need to be self-reliant when it comes to cash inflows so that I do not have to entirely depend on the transfers from Give Directly.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different in that I have a new solar lantern which provides us with adequate lighting. Previously we used to have a small paraffin lantern that emitted a lot of smoke. I was afraid my family would contact respiratory disease due to the smoke. Purchasing paraffin on a daily basis was also expensive for me I am glad I now have a solar lantern which is less expensive. It is also environmentally friendly, therefore, I do not have to worry about the health of my kids. In addition to that, I have been paying school fees comfortably. Initially, my kids would be sent home more often due to lack of fees. However hard I worked I still could not meet all my needs. I thank Give Directly for stepping in and relieving me from some expenses
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, my new goal is to start up a small shop from which I shall be getting some profit to supplement my household income. I decided to start this business because there are a few shops in our area, therefore, the demand to have more shops were high. I believe this investment will sustain us even after Give Directly have finished their project in this village. I am happy I shall not depend on causal jobs in order to meet my daily needs. The shop will supplement by other side hustles. This shop will make me remember GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfers is building and owning a new house. In the past, I was living in a small single-roomed house which was not adequate for my growing family. I had the thought of asking my neighbor to accommodate them, then share cost the rent where our kids would sleep. This could be expensive since it was an added cost. I thank God Give Directly came through. I was able to build a big house that accommodated all of us.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have a running shop which will supplement my household income. Since the demand in this village is high, I only need to learn some marketing skills to attract and satisfy my customers. With proper management skills, I will open several branches in different parts of the village. This will allow me to meet my daily needs as well as my long term goals. I will also ensure my kids finish school and become successful people in society.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
The biggest difference in my life is I am able to buy food for my family without having to borrow money like I used to before the transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have new goals. I desire to purchase a cow that will be able to give me milk for sale and personall use as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Personally, the biggest difference is that I am able to purchase building materials for my house project. Previously I struggled to raise money to expand my house but since I started receiving the transfers I am able to purchase building materilas.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will have expanded my house and bought a cow. That way I will not need to buy milk and borrow money for my family up keep.
 
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I do not have any new goal as per now.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have started buying iron sheets which gives me an assurance that I will finally have the house I want. I have had my own money so I don't beg any more.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I would want to continue buying iron sheets so that I can finally have my own house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been working towards getting a bigger house than the one I have now but I have not been able to achieve it. Thanks to Give Directly, I will finally have it as I have been able to buy iron sheets towards the same.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is unstable source of income since my business collapsed due to lack of sufficient funds. I therefore have to fully depend on my husband and this has created a rift in our relationship since he is also a habitual drinker.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when I am done with my daily chores as we story together with my neighbours.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on buying house construction materials (iron-sheets, nails, timber, cement, sand) to construct a more presentable and spacious semi-permanent house since my current house is too congested to accommodate my entire family. I will also buy furniture, bedding and clothes with the remaining part of the transfer.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of was starting a samosa business six years ago which made me more independent and less reliant on my husband's money. It was through this business that I managed to pay my son's nursery school fees and chip in on other family's basic needs. I also managed to join a merry-go-round where I could save some little money from my business.