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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Completed
Newsfeed > Gordon's Profile
Gordon's family
Gordon
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
38
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Gordon'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 in my life in the last four months in that I was able to register for a mechanic course. I am glad I will soon have a stable income from mechanic job. I will be done with the training in the next two months and after that, I will look for a place to be employed. This will help get a stable income to support my life and achieve my goals in time.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I wish to use the transfer on paying the mechanic course which I am currently undertaking now. I would want to have a stable source of income to help me provide for my family well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving these transfers is that I now have my own house. I have been saving my transfers and used the savings to buy building materials such as iron sheets, nails and timber. I used the materials to put up a decent house so that I do not have to struggle as I used to when I had to send my children to my neighbour's house to find a sleeping place. Thank GD for taking away my shame.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will be different in that I will have employment by then. I will have finished paying for the mechanic course and be employed. I know my life will never be the same again and I will not strain nor struggle when employed.
 
15th 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?
When we started receiving these transfers, a few other recipients from within the village and I formed a merry go round where we would give our transfers to a one person on a particular month then next to another. This was so helpful because when one receives the money in bulk, it is easier to spend it on more worthwhile stuff other than on foodstuff. When I received my share a couple of months ago I bought a heifer which I know will bear a calf in the next few years. I am glad that I now own a cow that without Give Directly, would have been impossible to buy due to low income.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I recently decided to take a course in mechanical engineering in a nearby garage for a better future in motor repair. I knew the transfers I receive from GD would be enough to pay the required learning fees and I wish to use the remaining months' transfers to complete the payments. To me, this is an investment because once I have mastered the job, I can finally earn a better living and be able to properly provide for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
For a very long time, I had desired to take a course in motor repair so that I could eventually quit my current motorcycle taxi business. This, however, was impossible due to low income and lack of money to pay for the required training fee. A few months ago, I was able to finally register for the course and use GD transfers to pay for the fee which has affected my family's daily income as I have to spend most part of my day in training and less time working. Since my wife has no source of income to support me, our daily budget has really become tight over the past few months, but we try to manage what we have because I know that after I am done with my training, I will have a better paying job and life will be a lot more comfortable.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will have completed the course I am currently taking in motor repair and my hope is that I will have better earnings compared to what I make now from my job as a motorcycle taxi operator. The main reason why I decided to take the course was so that I would eventually get a better paying job and quit the motorcycle taxi business which has greatly affected my health due to the amount of cold and wind that I get exposed to especially in the morning when it is extremely cold.
 
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?
I have managed to buy a new mattress and other bedding for my children who slept on mats some time back. Each morning, they would wake up with marks on their faces made by the mats which was a giveaway on what they slept on. Several times, they complained of being mocked by other kids in school for sleeping on reed-mats in this century, something that is considered an old practice. Seeing them happy now and knowing that they sleep more comfortably on their new mattress gives me joy.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I would like to get some training in mechanical engineering so that I can have an extra source of income. This decision was driven by the fact that most young men in my area have joined the motorcycle taxi business rendering the business less lucrative making us very idle most of the time due to lack of customers. This has also greatly affected my daily income which has declined making it hard to meet my family's daily needs. With that course,I will be working as a motorcycle taxi operator only during peak hours and working as a mechanic during the lazy hours in order to double my income.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The last four months have been easy on me as I have less stress on school fee payments. Since it is so difficult to save from the motorcycle business that I do due to low income, I usually use most of my tranfers to pay for my son's school fees. At least that is one part of my family needs covered and it is a huge relief because it is one of the biggest responsibilities I currently have as a father.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I have been planning to go to college to take a course on mechanical engineering for a while now, but it has never happened due to poor planning and financial difficulties. Having the certificate on that course will greatly change my life as it will come with financial benefits. I hope that in the next six months, I will have joined the college and I will be on course to achieving my dream.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Right now my wife and I are able to provide food for the family without so much strain our finances. I used to give returns to the owner of the motorbike even on a bad day when business was low where I was forced to use my own cash which impacted negatively on our family finances.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My goal is to save as much as I can so that I buy a motorbike that I will use to ferry passengers and earn some profit from the business venture. Right now I work for someone and I have to give returns everyday but once I have my own motorbike, I will be earning the entire proceeds of the day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have already built a house with the cash transfers that the organization has been sending to us together with my wife. I used to live in a small house that was so squeezed and could not accommodate my family members and that is why I had to get a more spacious.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I want to learn a bit of mechanics engineering within the next few months so that I can start my own motorcycle repairing garage and I know I will be able to make a lot of cash by starting such a business prospect.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I bought bedding's for my children because they did not have presentable ones.They are now sleeping on a decent bedding's unlike before when they were sleeping on torn ones.I feel happy as their parent.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I except to have joined driving school to enable me learn more and obtain driving licence.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am happy as a parent, I have built a new a house though I boosted it with my personal savings that accommodate my growing family comfortably.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to join driving school because I am a motor bike taxi driver and I still do not have a licences so it is not easy to do the 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 life is sickness, my wife has been sick for almost a year and I wasn't able to raise enough money for here medication, I had to come back home with her before she could get her full medication.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening when I come back home after doing the motorbike taxi having bought some meal. When my children are able to eat I feel very happy.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
Ma planning to spend my transfer on building my house and pay fees for my son who joined form one last year.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is I have been able to save money I earned from riding some one's motorbike and buy my own, this has increased my income and am able to provide for my family better than before.