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
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > George's Profile
George's family
George
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
45
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on George's next check-in.
 
18th 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?
My life is different from how it would have been four months ago in that I have plastered my house. I built an iron-roofed house with part of my transfers and because of my swampy area, I decided to plaster it. This will give me peace of mind because I will not be afraid that the house can collapse anytime. I have seen neighbors' house collapse during the rainy seasons because of the nature of our areas and to avoid this was to build a permanent house. Since I did not have the resources to put up a permanent house, I decided to put up a semi-permanent which will also help make my house durable.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal in the next four months is to buy household items such as seats. In my new house, I dod not have good seats and I have been using two seats which are also very old. My living room is almost empty and I want to get enough seats so that we have good ones in the house.
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 my own sheep. This is a big step in my life towards better future because I know when they reproduce as it has happened, I will have a number which I can sell to raise money to feed or even handle my family financial emergencies. The sheep is a sign of wealth in my life because, in my area, livestock is a sign of wealth. I am not considered poor as I was before the transfers. Thanks to GD for the transfers.
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 television. I have always had a problem when my children have to go to my neighbor's house to be entertained. As a result, it has broken our relationship because they are always accused of spoiling properties by the neighbor. This is why I want to buy a television to avoid such issues.
 
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
The difference in my life in the last four months is that I have a sheep in my compound. This is an investment for my family which I am keeping. As long as I will be receiving these transfers, I will keep it and add more when it reproduces. The number will increase and will finally elevate me from the kind of poverty which befell my life.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal in the next four months is to start saving part of the transfers which will help me in paying school fees for my son who is joining secondary next year. I would not want him to stay at home after primary school because I do not have the resources to take him to school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference since I started receiving these transfers is that I have a permanent toilet in my compound. Since we stay in a swampy area, I have built the toilet three times but they collapse since I did not have the resources to build a permanent toilet. When I started receiving these transfers, I have been using part of it on a monthly basis to buy cement, roofing nails, iron sheets and sand which I used in building a permanent toilet. I am glad I no longer direct my visitors to my neighbours compound to access a toilet.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I want to buy household items such as a sofa set which I do not have now. Right now we sit on plastic chairs which are not comfortable at all. I would want to buy a sofa set so that whenever I am at home or I have visitors we can sit comfortably and have a good time.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, my life is different in that I am able to plan for my money of which I bought a solar lantern and now my children can study comfortably. Apparently, this has improved their performance since they are able to complete their homework because this lighting system is reliable. Before using traditional lamp was costly and it forced them to sleep early despite doing their assignment as I couldn't afford to buy paraffin on a daily basis.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is that I am planning to pay money in instalments to a nearby carpenter to make a sofa set for me so that my visitors may have enough space to sit on when they visit.
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 that I am able to plan for my money and engage in developmental projects through the transfer since recently I have bought a solar lantern and now my children can study comfortably. Apparently, this has improved their performance unlike before when I was using the traditional lamp where budgeting for paraffin was costly in a daily basis and this was making my children not to complete their assignment on time hence it was affecting their performance in school.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to save money for the next six months and buy a dairy cow with the savings, I believe I will earn an extra income through the sale of milk to cater for my needs. I will also reduce the cost of buying milk because I will have my own daily cow.
 
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 children have never been sent home since i strated receivinf this transfer, we have been eat balanced diet and my family is happy and peaceful.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Apart from my earlier set goals, I would want to plaster my house so that it may be strong and not fall during the rainy seasons.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I live in a swampy area and this has been the reason why I did not have a toilet because anytime I try constructing one, they fall down due to the nature of the area. Thanks to Give Directly, I now have my own permanent toilet because I was able to buy cement which I used in constructing it.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I would want to plaster my house.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
455 KES ($5 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?
to build a pit latrine as my old one has been destroyed
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
am expecting transfers every month so i can be able to buy food for family,build a toilet,processed birth certificate for my children.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
i will be able to build a kitchen,buy livestock,build a latrine
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
helped me process the certificate of birth as my child had been sent home.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is my inability to pay school fee for my son in Secondary school because of my low income. Most times he has been sent home due to unpaid school fee.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is around midday because during such times I have finished my work and share stories and moments with friends.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I plan to spend my money to construct an extension of my house that will be used as a kitchen and a sleeping place for my children.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement that I am proudest of is having built my own house that I currently stay in with my family. I used to stay in a rented house in a nearby market center which used to cost me a lot of money.