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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Leonard's Profile
Leonard's family
Leonard
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
check
 
Follow to be updated on Leonard's next check-in.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was hanging around looking for customers along my operating routes at about 2 PM when I received a message confirming to me that I received money from GiveDirecly. I was overjoyed, felt thankful when my dream of owning a motorcycle rang in mind. I saw it real and immediately started my journey to Bomet town to withdraw the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
In the last ten years, I have worked as a motorcycle taxi operator employed by different peoples. I have been forced by the limited resource in our family to persevere the hardship that comes with being a casual laborer in the motorcycle taxi business. I have worked under the hot sun and heavy rains to please my different employers and later have something little to carry home. I am thankful that out of these hardships, I have gained experience and develop a passion for this sector. In recent years, I have longed to have my own motorcycle, a dream that had never seem to be possible. The biggest difference in my daily life ever since I received my first transfer is owning my own motorcycle. My life has greatly changed in that currently, I enjoy the daily profits of at least KES800 a day, no longer work during heavy rains at the same time I have enough rest. I have been able to join two different merry go round that we contribute a total of KES1250 per week a plan that I feel it secures my future. Thank you GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My hopes in life reignited when I received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly. I had wished to own a motorcycle so that could change my life right from hard low paying casual work to being self-employed. I used my entire transfer to buy a second-hand motorcycle that I currently used it to ferry people around thus earning an income. I feel empowered, I am self-employed work hard to build my life rather than to please my employers like before.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better shelter for my family. The motive behind this desire is the fact that I live in a single roomed house that is also damage. It is this very small structure that serves as a bedroom and kitchen. Due to it's size it is very uncomfortable to live in since it gets extremely hot and smoky especially after cooking. I am planning to build a two-roomed house,I will buy 24 pieces of iron sheets at the cost of 600 shillings each and buy 30 pieces roofing frames at cost of 300 shillings each. I also intend to buy two dairy cattle at cost of 25,000 each, Whose income from the sells of milk will supplement my earnings from motorcycle taxi I usually engage in.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually spend a lot of time on the road doing motorcycle taxi this job is energy draining. Therefore evening is my happiest part of my day because I will have ample time to rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My current work that I can consider as a source of income is working as a motorcycle taxi. Usually 200 shillings on a day when luck is on my side. This situation as rendered me in active on my farm and consequently no harvest from my 0.25 acre. Therefore food insecurity has been my biggest hardship that I have faced in my life.