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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Erick's Profile
Erick's family
Erick
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
35
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
attach_money
 
Follow to be updated on Erick's next check-in.
 
24th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to continue buying building materials which I will use in completing the expansion of my house. This is my only goal for now which I am determined to achieve as soon as possible. I will c continue saving to buy the materials.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have been living in a small iron-roofed house which I build two years ago when I finally moved into own compound. I did not have many resources at that time. The little I had is what I used to put up a house, two rooms. Now that my family is grown, the house has not been accommodating us well. As a result, I needed to expand it to accommodate my family well and this is why I used my transfers to buy building materials such as iron sheets and nails which I will use to expand my house to two bedroomed house. I am happy I will no longer send my children to my neighbour's house to find a sleeping place.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will change in the next six months is to start a small business. I would want to start a business so that I no longer have to go through the struggles I have gone through in the past. I would not want to go back to the life of relying on unreliable casual work as my main source of income. I would want to have a reliable source of income so that I may be able to provide for my family well without seeking help and borrowing.
 
20th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have any new goals apart fro the one of constructing a house for myself. This my dream.
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 been saving. I am planning to use my savings in buying building materials. I have been struggling to raise money to buy building materials but due to my low income from the motorcycle business, I have not been able to. Since the transfers started streaming in, I have bought a few items and I am optimistic that construction will begin soon.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would want to continue with my savings. I would want to save till I get the amount needs to buy building materials and paying masons who will construct the house. I would want to achieve my goal with this opportunity given to me by GD.
 
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is different from how it would have been four months ago in that I have always had food for my family. I used to struggle to raise money to meet my family needs since I only depend on income from motorcycle business which is not much. Since I had many demands, at times, I would fail to provide all the meals for my family. Receiving these transfers has helped me provide three meals a day for my family.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal in the next four months I wish want to buy at least a sheep or a goat. This is an investment whose value increases on a daily basis and they will increase in number which will help me reduce my poverty.
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 savings which I will use in buying building materials. I have been struggling to raise money to buy building materials but due to my low income from motorcycle business which is not much to help me meets my daily needs, I was not able to. I had to buy grass to build my house because I could not afford iron sheets. Since I started receiving these transfers, I have been saving to help me buy building materials to build a house of my choice.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would want to continue with my savings. I would want to save till I get the amount needs to buy building materials and paying masons who will construct the house. I would want to achieve my goal with this opportunity given to me by GD.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from how it was because I am able to take care of my needs easily. Currently, my business is steady since I managed to boost it with GiveDirectly transfers. I no longer loan goods from the shops in order to meet my needs when my business is not doing well.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to buy a motorcycle. I intend to leave the kiosk business for my wife to manage so that we can get money from both sides. She is currently jobless and depending on one business is not enough to cater for our needs.
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 happy and more hardworking. I feel motivated because everything is working well in my life. I was able to boost my kiosk business. I have seen a great change because taking care of my needs has been easy. Currently, I can meet my needs without asking for loans. I used to take food items on loan from the shop. The shopkeeper was kind enough to me but I thank God I will not be loaning items more often.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months in that, I will have bought a motorcycle. I want to have an extra source of income because I will have left our kiosk business for my wife to manage. This will expand our sources of income making us financially stable.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My business is doing well because I have good stock, I have never gone without food unlike before when we would struggle to get food and generally I feel my life will get better in future.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I would still want to make my business grow by adding more stock.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life is that my business is doing well. This is the only source of income and I value it so when I received the money, that is where my focus has always been. I know it will help in future with my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I would still want to make my business to be the best in the area.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
attach_money
 
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goals includes the following: Planning on buying new building materials in order to build a new house.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it was because I can have a good business with enough stock, that will enable me make enough money, in addition to building a new house.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change positively because I will be able to pay school fees for my children and also build a nice house for them. In addition to that, I will be able to provide the basic necessities to them without so much struggles.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I am now able to be proud of my new increased amount of stock for my business.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is,lack of stable income to feed my family, which forced me to sell my motor cycle that I was using for transport business and would generate for me a daily income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is, in the evening when I am with my family eating together.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer in boosting my fish business, buying food for my family, building and moving into my own home as I am currently staying in my parents compound.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is,being able to take good care of my family despite the hardships of getting food due lack of a stable income.