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 > Newton's Profile
Newton's family
Newton
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Janitor/porter (works for others)
faceAge:
21
workCampaign
FSD / Urban Youth
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Newton's next check-in.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($39 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I did not have most of the basic household items such as decent furniture before I was enrolled in this program. I also had a lot of problems providing sufficient and decent meals for my family and paying my rent on time which would mostly cause altercations between me and my landlord. I have so far managed to purchase the furniture and have fewer cases of missed meals because the transfers support my budget more than I ever expected. I can also manage to pay my rent on time and without failure.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I do not have a stable source of income at the moment as I only depend on water supply which I do using a hired cart. This job does not earn me a lot of money because I do not have a good customer base and sometimes fail to get any orders the entire day. My biggest goal is to start another business, preferably an entertainment shop where I can offer movies and video games. I know that this kind of business can be successful in this area because most youths love passing time in such places which means good profits. I have to do my best to start saving so that I can set up this business before the end of the project because I know it would be impossible if I depend only on my small income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My child and I were very sick during the period which I received the most recent transfer, so I spent most of the money on our treatment. During that period, I was unable to work because my kind of job requires physical strength which I did not have at the time and had to spend the rest on the money on foodstuff and other household requirements.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($39 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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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 in that, I am able to offset some bills like paying rent and electricity bills with ease. Before then, we used to sleep hungry a lot as compared to nowadays where I do not only depend on selling water using a cart.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to start a business, probably selling fruits. It seems to be a good business because the competition is low being that most youths are into selling second-hand clothes. Currently, I do causal jobs like supplying water using a cart but it is unreliable. This is why I am determined to accomplish this goal so that I can be sure of an income every day.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my transfer to paying rent. Lard lords are always on people's neck and I do not want to go through such embarrassments because the last experience was not good when he came and knocked, demanding for the money and I did not have it by then. I also bought food and paid electricity bills. The remaining amount was spent on buying clothes for my child.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($49 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has changed because our source of income has always been the casual jobs that are normally available on an off and on basis which makes life so unpredictable and at times surviving becomes extremely difficult. I have also been able to buy a few items in the house such as tables, seats, cupboard and a new 32 inch TV set which of course I would have never been able to buy were it not for the transfers from Give Directly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I have a plan of saving some little cash at the beginning of each month so that I can be able to take good care of my wife who gave birth early last month. It is not easy being the sole provider for the family so that means I have to keep working hard to make sure that I fully provide for the family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the cash on paying hospital bills for my wife who had gone to deliver our firstborn child. By that time, I had saved approximately 3000 KES which I knew would help me towards the hospital bill payments as well as paying for a transport fee to and from the hospital. I am so glad that the organization sent me the cash at the very right time when I needed it the most.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($50 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My goal is to start a new business where I sell second hand clothes and shoes. I have been saving part of transfers and also the income I get from casual jobs and I will use the money to start this business. This will be a regular source of income since currently I depend on the little money I get from casual jobs to meet my basic needs. I will also save the money from the business to buy an acre piece of land in my rural home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving payments from Give Directly is that I can now meet all my basic needs. In the past, it was a challenge to provide my basic needs but now I no longer struggle since I used part of transfers to get basic needs such as food. I can also help my father to pay his hospital bill monthly check ups. He was involved in a road accident and he has been going for monthly hospital check ups. At times he could miss to go for the check ups when I did not have the money but now I am happy since he no longer miss the medical check ups since I am using part of transfers to pay his hospital bill.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I saved my most recent transfer since I am planning to start a new business where I sell shoes and second hand clothes. I decided on this because many people have not ventured into the business and it is not competitive compared to other businesses. This will be a source of income to meet my basic needs. I will also use the income to help my father pay his hospital bill monthly check up. He was involved a in a road accident and he has been under medication since that day.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
When I woke up, I saw the Mpesa notification message and another message from Give Directly that they have sent the money. I was so happy and I immediately informed my wife about the good news. She was so happy and said a word of prayer to thank God for the cash transfers.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I would start selling designer clothes and shoes in my place. I will target youth because most of them are trendy. Population of youth in my area is high, providing a ready market for my business and expect good returns. Secondly, I would look for land in upcountry and build a house. The place I live sometimes is insecure. Lastly, I will buy food for my family.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is unemployment because it makes my life difficult. With this I can't provide my family with food, shelter and clothing. You may fall sick and having medical fee is a problem. It may result to separation or divorce with my wife or even result to begging or engage in criminal activities.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition in life is to be a successful business man. I would want to live a good life where by I can support my family financially. I would also want to give back to the society because there are many people who are less fortunate and need help.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
When I wake up in the morning, I take breakfast in my house. We have video entertainment for our group, where I go and work for others. I work until evening then go back in the house and take bath. I relax with my family, listen to music, have food and visiting my mother sometimes.