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 > Laurence's Profile
Laurence's family
Laurence
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other (works for others)
faceAge:
20
workCampaign
FSD / Urban Youth
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Laurence's next check-in.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($40 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Ever since I started receiving these transfers from GD, I have been feeling motivated in achieving my goals. Before the transfers, I did not have any good income and I felt life was very unfair for me. I used to struggle to an extent I lost hope in achieving my dreams. I just decided to live for the moment until I started receiving these transfers. I feel motivated to work very hard because I know the dreams of having a permanent house, being financially stable is still achievable.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I have started saving so that I can buy a motorcycle. I would like to have a motorcycle taxi business. I know I will get a good income from the same if the motorcycle is mine and not employed. This is why I have started saving and will boost my savings with a loan from the group to buy the motorcycle.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on paying my house rent. I had used all the savings I had during the festive holidays and I did not have any saving left. I had to talk to my landlord to give me time to raise money yet I was actually waiting for GD transfers to pay. The remaining amount, I have used to start my savings again.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($39 USD)
access_time over 4 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 different from how it was in that, I have learned to be financially disciplined. I have been able to save for quite some time now. Generally, my savings have increased since I also try to save part of the salary. I have also become more independent. I no longer bother my brother to pay my rent or my other personal items. It feels good to be financially stable. One doesn't feel like a bother anymore. I wish to stabilize myself further so as to be able to achieve my future goals.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to buy a motorcycle first. Once the motorcycle business has picked, I will later collect all my profits and start a mega business as a backup plan. Clearly, I will never suffer again by doing low paying casual jobs. I thank GiveDirectly for boosting me financially because my life will never be the same again moving forward.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The struggles of being employed to sell water have really made start thinking of doing my own business. I have been going to work at five o'clock and leave work at eleven o'clock at night which is usually risky and hectic. For quite some time now, I have been saving all the monthly transfer that I have been getting from GiveDirectly. The recent one was not different because I also saved it too. I have already thought of what I want to do which is to buy a motorcycle. I feel like this will be a good idea considering the high market demand for motorbike transport services and many other advantages such as going home early hence not risking my life and even getting better pay than what I am earning currently.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($48 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my life is different from how it was in that, I am able to save some amount from the monthly transfer which I get from GiveDirectly. This was like a miracle before, just because the amount that I could get from my monthly salary could end up on the daily needs. Debts were also an order of the day. I could end up offending some of my friend and relatives due to overstaying with their money. I am glad that I am able to plan and save some money for my ultimate goal of buying a motorcycle. Thanks to GiveDirectly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I do not have a new goal at the moment. I still want to continue saving so that I finally reach my goal of buying a motorcycle by the end of the year. If I start focusing on other ideas, I might end up not reaching my ultimate goal which I had yeared for a long time now.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I kept the whole of my transfer as savings. I plan to buy a motorcycle by the end of the year. I have a driving license but I have not been using it. The brilliant idea of purchasing a motorcycle came in my mind because I want to have my own business where I can have the flexibility of doing my work in my own way. Currently, I am employed and leave work at 10.00pm which has been risky. My phone was stolen when I was going back home. I would really want a situation where I can organize my work and leave early.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($50 USD)
access_time 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 venture into motorcycle business. I will use my savings to buy two motorcycles. I will operate this business in my rural home since many people have not ventured in to business and thus it will not be competitive. This will generate more income to meet my basic needs and pay school fees for my siblings.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I have managed to save my transfers. In the past, the money I got from the casual jobs was little and I could only use to buy food. I will use these savings to buy motorcycle and venture into motorcycle business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I saved my most recent transfer in my bank account. Since I received my transfers from Give Directly, I have been saving all my monthly transfers since I am planning to buy two motorcycles and venture in to motorcycle riding business. I did a driving course but currently I have not been employed so I will use my savings to buy the motorcycles and operate one of them and also employ somebody else to ride the other motorcycle. This will generate more income to meet my basic needs and pay school fees for my siblings.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I was so happy when I received my transfer since during enrollment I did not believe that I will get the money. Many organisations have been coming to our groups, make promises but they do not deliver them. It was my joy to receive the transfers since at that moment I did not have any source of income.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I prioritize like that because first, I would like to buy a motorcycle so that I can use it as a transportation machine and get income. I wanted to start boda boda business so that I can have more income and be able to buy a piece of land and build my own house. I want to stop the issue of paying rent and have my own home and even rent a room out to add to my income. Secondly, this is in relation to the first priority once I have a stable income I want to buy a piece of land and build a house. Lastly, I will use part of this money for food and other household needs so that I can channel other resources to a different activity.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is gang/crime because within mathare many have died due to crime and I wouldn't want to waste my life. Most youths are always idle and that is why they engage themselves into criminal activity. Secondly, am concerned about achieving my ambitions in life. I don't want to fail as the breadwinner in my family, I want to be able to provide to my family their needs and give them the best. If I don't achieve my dream them I won't be able to provide to them. Lastly, am concerned about the life my children will live. I don't want them to have the kind of life I did. I want them to have a good education and bright future and be successful in life.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition in life is to have my own home and be able to provide for my children with all their needs. I want to become a successful business man especially in life of transportation. I want to invest more so that my family can have all they need and have a good future with better education.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
In the morning once I wake up I prepare myself as early as 5am then go to work up-to 11pm at night. My meals I take at my work place. Once am back to the house I just go bed. During my free time I go have chats with my friends. I always have one day off in a week but most of my time I am at work.