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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Newsfeed > John's Profile
John's family
John
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
19
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on John's next check-in.
 
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The only goal I have is to continue using my transfers as fare. As we agreed with my father, I will still save the money to use as fare to and from school to where I stay since I do not stay in school hostels.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I joined university after I started receiving my transfer from Give Directly. It has been very helpful in helping me transit from where I stay to and from school on a daily basis. My father does not have a stable income to help meet our needs sufficiently and he informed me to use my transfers for fare and will only support me in other school needs and food. Without the money, I would be walking to and from school on a daily basis. Thanks to GD for the transfers.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will still be in school studying. I still plan to use my transfers as fare. I will be saving and ensure I will never have to walk to and from school any day yet I receive my transfers from GD. This is the difference the transfers will bring to my life in the next six months.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I feel life is different because if it were not for the cash then I would have been going through a difficult time in trying to raise the transport fees. Most of the time, I would have been forced to seek for help from my parents who are also just peasant farmers and may not be able to raise that amount.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Being a college student I cannot say that I have any additional goal currently because what I have in plan is to make sure that the money serves me as my transport fee until the end of next year when I will be done with school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
For me, the biggest difference this money has brought into my life is that I have been able to take care of my commuter fees from where I reside to school and back on a daily basis. Paying commuter fees within this city is such a huge deal because prices are always very high.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect that I will still be able to attend school every single day and also be able to take care of my daily fina cial needs within the school. There are times when we are required to do a lot of printing and photocopying of materials which so far I have managed to handle so well, courtesy of the transfers that I have been getting from the organization.
 
16th 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?
I have always had a monthly income from GD. This has really opened my eyes. I don't have to depend on my parents and I use what I get on a monthly basis wisely so that I don't overburden my parents. I know my parents have a lot of needs to meet and I would want to give them an easy time supporting my other siblings. This is the reason why I have thought of starting a business to boost my income to help meet my needs and support my family.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I have a new goal of saving part of my transfers to help me set up a business that would aid in meeting my daily needs in the University. I would not wish to continue depending on my parents for such provisions but rather be self-dependant.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving these transfers is that I have never had difficulty in moving to and from school. Before the transfers, I used to cover the long distances to and from school on foot since I could not afford the bus fare. All that the parents could afford was the school fee and a few other basic needs and not my bus fare to school. Life turned around when I began receiving my transfers which could comfortably facilitate my movement to and from school. The less struggle to access the training facility has impacted greatly on my academic performance which has since then improved to a higher level.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I am planning to continue spending my transfers on bus fare to school as I have been doing with the past transfers. This has been helpful and I would want to use it in the best way to achieve the best results at the end of my academic period.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 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 other change in my life because of Gd transfers is that I have peace with my aunt. This is because I do not depend on her for everything as it was the case before the transfers. At times I would feel like am overburdening her with my needs simply because she offered to help accommodate me as I study. I am glad I do not beg for even personal effects from her anymore. This is because of GD transfers which I use as fare and for my personal needs.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the four months, I plan to continue saving for my daily fare to school. I would not want to beg anymore for help on the fare issue when I have my monthly transfers from GD. I know when I am done with my studies, I will have a well-paying job to help me sustain myself and family needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving these transfers is that I have my daily fare to school. This has been my biggest problem since I stay with my aunt and not my parents. She has been providing for my meals and giving me shelter ever since I joined college last year. It has been hectic for me to continue to ask for fare from her after all she has been doing for me. I am glad with Gd transfers, I have been able to pay for my daily fare to college and she only caters for my food and shelter. This has reduced the burden I give her.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I want to continue paying for my fare to school until I am through with my studies. I would not want to bother my aunt with this issue of fare anymore. At least I want to be independent on one thing and continue to grow every day.
 
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My current life is different from how it was four months ago as I am able to attend all my classes. I do not skip any lesson.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have a new goal but I am still working on clearing my next semester's school fees and continue attending my classes.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the ease I am currently having to attend my college arrears. I am now able to attend all my classes.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life in the next six months to be more comfortable with my school fees fully paid. I will be able to attend all my lessons.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
At the moment I do not have any new goal but I am building on the previous ones I have always had,to join college and pursue a degree.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different in that I have the money and I am able to plan for my own education without having to stress my father,and were it not for this transfer,I would have never realized this.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months,I expect to have joined college and paying for my own upkeep using the money I will be receiving from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Given that my father is just a bodaboda rider and most of the the time I could get worried how he will raise the money to take me to school. At the moment,my father is relieved of the stress. We have at least a piece of mind. This is the biggest difference in my daily life.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is the inability to clear my high school fee balance. This posses a challenge to my joining the University as I will not be given the relevant high certificates of completion.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning after my morning fitness exercise, having taken a bath and feeling fresh.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on buying college requirents such as suitcase, bedding, clothes and books and pay college fees as I will be joining Kenyatta university in September for a course in software engineering.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The greatest achievement I am proud of is my performance in computer study course in KCSE which I scored B+. I am so proud of it because I have a special interest in computer programming and as a result I am able to undertake a software engineering course.