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 > Steven's Profile
Steven's family
Steven
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
21
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Steven's next check-in.
 
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?
My life is different from how it would have been in that I have been able to fully pay for the motorcycle which I bought on a hire purchase basis. I did not have the money to pay for it fully once because I only depended on income from farming. I have been using part of my transfers and the little Income I get to pay for the motorcycle. I am glad I am done with the payment and it is my own now.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I wish to buy building material which I will use in putting up my own house. I do not have a house now and I stay at my brother house. I feel its time I have my own now so that I can have my privacy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving these transfers in that I have my own motorcycle which is my main source of income. I didn't have any income before the transfers and I only depended on a small income from farming. I could not do much with that income in my life hence I decided to buy a motorcycle with my transfers so that I could develop financially. I was able to pay for the motorcycle on a monthly basis of which I have finished by now. I have my own motorcycle because of the transfers.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in that I will have built my own house. I plan to boost my transfers with part of income so that I can raise enough money for building a house. I no longer want to stay in my brother's house and be independent.
 
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?
My life has really changed in that I used to do casual works in order to earn a living and make ends meet for my household. This was very tiresome and the pay at the end of the day was never motivating. But now, ride my own motorcycle as a taxi rider which makes more profit than the casual labor.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to build a house for myself. I am currently living in my mother's house which makes me uncomfortable with little freedom.
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 is that I have been able to save my transfers and added to some savings that I had previously before the transfers and bought a motorcycle.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I am hoping to have constructed my house and I will be living, with more freedom. Besides that, with the profits earned from my new motorcycle, I will help boost my mothers business.
 
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?
Apart from having new household items, I have been able to have my own money to solve my personal issues. I really used to struggle to have my own money since I depended on casual work and had a lot of needs. The little income could not sustain my needs and in most cases, I would have to beg and borrow from my friends. I ended up having a lot of debts that I could not pay back. With GD transfers, I have been able to pay back my debts and at least I do always some money to spare for future needs.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I wish to buy a goat. I believe this is an investment whose value increases on daily basis and I can later sell it or its offsprings to raise money to solve other financial matters. I would want to own livestock just like my peers since I did not inherit any from my father.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving these transfers is that I have new household items such as utensils and seats which I lacked in my house before. I had a house and the kind of utensils I had were the ones I took from my mother's house. I did not have any money to buy my own. I did not have any seats in my house and I used to sit on jerricans and this was really embarrassing me. With GD transfers, I have been able to buy new utensils and seats and I feel comfortable in my house because of GD transfers. I am able to invite fr4ineds over because I have where they can sit.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would want to buy building materials such as iron sheets, nails and timber. I would want to have a good house in my own home when I am still getting these transfers from GD. I would want to make good use of the transfers.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Apart from savings for the motorcycle, I have been able to buy my own personal items. Before I started receiving this transfer from Give Directly, I used to struggle especially to provide for my family. Casual work was not sufficient for food alone. The little I would get would go to food and still have to borrow to meet other family needs. Most of my personal items like clothes were torn since I did not have money to buy new ones. Since I started receiving this transfer, I have been able to buy new clothes and shoes. Right now when I walk in the village, I don't feel ashamed because I know nobody will laugh at my dressing anymore.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Since Give Directly has promised to support me financially every month, I still want to save so that I can have my own motorcycle. I have paid for deposit for the same and in the next three months, I know I will have my own. This will help me financially and sustain my 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 this transfer is that I have started saving for a motorcycle which has been my dream for a year now. I have been doing a taxi business but with someone's motorcycle and I realized if I have my own, I can change my life. Since I used to earn very little and still have to take a portion of it to the owner, I was not able to develop myself very well. Right now I have been saved and in the next three months, I will be having enough to buy a second-hand motorcycle. This will help provide for my family well and meet their financial needs in time.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
After saving for the motorcycle, I would want to save again so that I can buy building materials to aid me in building a new house. I will also boost my savings with the little I earn from my motorcycle business so that I can finally get the house I have always dreamt of.
 
3rd 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?
Currently, I do not have a new goal.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have settle most of the debts I had and I live peacefully with my friends.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I would want to save in table banking so that they can buy for me a motorcycle.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I used to have lots of debts and I was not at peace but since I started receiving this transfer, I have been able to settle most of them which is pleasing and giving me peace of mind.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship am facing is that I am not able to get a sustainable and reliable income and this has been an hindrance to most of my development plans.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day in in the afternoon after cultivating my farm when we are sharing development idea with my peers.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on constructing my own house as I used to sleep at a neighbor's house.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest is that I worked as a boda boda operater and bought sheep from my little earnings