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 > Valentine's Profile
Valentine's family
Valentine
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
24
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Valentine's next check-in.
 
19th 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?
Looking back to where I have come from, It has really been a great journey. With the last four months, I have recorded a number of changes which has brought a lot of differences in my life. The chickens I am rearing used to live in the kitchen but at the moment I have completed the construction of a decent chicken coop for them. I never had a cow also which I am now milking. All these have happened within a span of four months.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Going forward as we draw toward the end of the program, I have one additional goal that I would wish to accomplish. Initially, I had a plan to purchase two cows before the program comes to an end. Although I have been working hard in the merry-go-round which I joined to ensure that I meet all that I am expected of. To date, I am still active and waiting for my turn to come which will be next month. As per my plans, I would wish to spend fall the money I am receiving from the group contribution to purchase a cow. I am really thankful to GiveDirectly for the great support they have given us since we started this project.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Four months ago, I had only two chickens in the coop. Most of the projects I had were hanging and I would always contemplate how well I will bring them in the completion. I also had a great urge to own a cow which at then I was in the process of saving so that I may purchase one. At the moment I can testify the great things that GiveDirectly has done in my life. At the moment I have bought a cow and increased the number of chickens I am rearingto eight. this to me is the biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
With the great plans we have with my family, I expect to have purchased the one cow we had been planning for in the next six months. This would be possible due to the savings plan I have been having through the merry-go-round which I joined. we have great expectations that we will have purchased a cow by the end of six months.
 
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Since I started receiving the transfer, I have increased the land under lease. The land I have been having under plantation have been too small that it was not enough to produce an output that could both feed my family and serve other household need. I then decided to lease some other smaller pieces of land so that I may improve my farming outcome. This is what has made my current life different compared to the past four months.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
After receiving the first transfer, I started a saving plan both from the transfer and from the output from my farming. I have been saving after selling the farm produce which at the moment have amounted to a good sum of money. I now have a new goal to purchase a small piece of land to add up to the piece I have been having. As per my projections, I hope to have gotten enough money to buy my own land by December this year.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
It has been a routine in our household to buy milk for our domestic use. For many years now, we have been without our own cows to keep so that we can produce the milk of our own. When we received transfers from GD we decided to join a Merry-go-round where we make savings through table banking with other 15 members. The savings have been going to each member rotationally when the turn comes. We received our turn and decided to purchase a cow which calved down in exactly one month after purchasing. We started producing milk which was enough for both domestic use and also for sale. This so far has boosted our saving scheme since we save from both subsistence farming and from the milk production at the moment. This to us has been the biggest difference in our daily life since we take good tea and still we manage to get all the household goods we need.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I have great hope to have saved enough money to buy a piece of land. It has been my dream that one day I will be owning my piece of land which I am struggling to ensure that it comes to pass by the end of six months from now.
 
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?
I am happy I own a cow that gives us milk for both domestic and commercial use. I can now afford to take my children to a good private school since I am able to pay their school fees with less difficulty. They can now study well with enough learning materials that I buy with the proceeds from selling milk. When I see my children getting that attention from their teachers and the improved grades, it makes me so glad. I am forever grateful to Givedirectly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to buy another piece of land within the village. This is because the piece of land we are living in right now is small and it cannot accommodate both our family and the livestock comfortably. In addition, I will have enough land to plant the cow's'feed and also for cultivation.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have always wanted to have a cow of my own so that I can always get enough milk. Therefore when I started receiving the transfer from Givedirectly, I decided to take a loan from a local banking institution because I was confident I would comfortably payback. I immediately bought a cow with proceeds from the loan and I have been servicing the loan with the monthly transfers that I receive from Givedirectly. Right now I milk some few litres of milk from the cow which is a source of food for us and also helps with paying back the loan from the few litres that I sell to my neighbors. We also have enough food and my dreams of owning a cow was finally met.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have bought more cows that will increase my daily income. This will ensure that I am able to provide for my children. I also expect to improve my farming skills by getting some training, this will come in handy in improving my farming skills and techniques.
 
7th 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?
My life currently is different since I now have a cow which I did not have before.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The only goal I now have is to take a loan and use the money to buy a plot.
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 happiness since I do not buy milk any more.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in that I will have started farming in my own farm which I will have bought.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I want to buy sheep for rearing as a new goal and later buy a dairy cow that will be a source of food and possibly income.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I initially thought i can never be able to buy my own sheep or anything that i call my own, but right now i have the confidence that i can have something in my name.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In six months time, i expect to be able to educate my children in a good school and able to look after them well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I feel like i am more comfortable now because i don't bother my spouse to give me money like i used to do. This is a difference i enjoy.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship i have faced in my life is losing both of my parents.It was a very difficult moment for me
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest birth of my day is in the morning when my family an i wake up and we are all in good health
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I plan to spend the transfer on offsetting a loan which i will take from K-Rep microfinance because i now know that i am able to pay through the transfer
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement i am proudest of is when i bought a young cow which is now grown and about to give birth