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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Newsfeed > Joseph's Profile
Joseph's family
Joseph
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
47
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Joseph's next check-in.
 
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I will be proceeding with saving towards my children's school fees.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I am a father of six children, one in college, two in high school and three in primary school. The major challenge that I faced before was raising school fees for these children. GD has boosted me and enabled me to provide for my children and pay for their school fees. This came to me as a blessing.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I am hoping that school fees will have been cleared and my projects will be funded. This will be a dream come true for my household members.
 
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?
Amidst all the responsibilities I have of paying school fees for my children, I managed to save some of these transfers and bought a sheep which I consider an investment. I am also happy that most of the balances my children owed their respective schools have now been cleared and the pressure we had months ago has also been reduced.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have any additional goals at the moment as I only want to ensure that my children's school fees are paid on time so that they don't have to be sent away from school. This will also make them more relaxed and concentrate on their studies for better performance.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
One of my children recently joined college and another one is currently in high school. Paying school fees for them has always been a challenge due to my lack of proper income which has always strained my budget as I also have to take care of the other household needs. Months ago, my children had accumulated a lot of unpaid fee balances in their respective schools and they would mostly be sent always from school and even miss their examinations. At the moment, the balances have been reduced a lot because we have been making efforts as a family and using most of our transfers to make the payments.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
One of my sons is in his final year of high school and I hope that his school fees will have been cleared by the time he sits for his final examinations later this year. I do not want his certificate to be held in school due to uncleared fee balances, hence the need to clear his school fees in time. This will also take off some burden as I will now have to worry about raising fees for his brother in college.
 
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago in that I have peace of mind because I am able to handle my budget well. Previously, I could depend on the wages that I could get from ferrying people and goods around using someone's motorcycle. It was not enough to handle most of my budgets. Today, I am glad that I get am extra money which easens my budget. I am less stressed and I feel more responsible.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have new goals in the next six months. I still want to focus on paying school fees for my children. School fees is what has been taking a tall on my budget and being that I want my children not to be sent home due to fee arrears. Working towards paying their fee is my priority for the time being.
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 able to budget well. Previously, all our family needs were settled by me alone. And since I only had only one source of income most of the needs were never met. I am happy that today my wife also helps me. I feel relieved and the fact that my wife supports me in terms of paying school fees for our children and even giving me advice on the projects to prioritize makes me a happy man. I am more responsible and I feel that most of my family needs are met more effectively unlike before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I do not expect my life to change in the next six months. I still want to continue educating my two children to higher levels. I feel that education is the best weapon that they can use to face the world. This is what I want to concentrate on at least for the time being.
 
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?
Apart from providing for school necessities in time for my children, I have been able to always put food on my table which was a struggle before the transfers. Due to my low income from hired motorcycle business, I was not able to provide for all the family needs even basic ones like food. In most cases, we will have to miss some meals and would force my children to go and beg at my neighbours which were shameful to me. Ever since I started receiving these transfers, I have been able to budget well with them to an extent I give them most of their needs in time.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to build a new house. This is because the house I have now to is too small and the roof is weak. I am afraid during the rainy season the wind might blow it away. Before that happens, I want to be proactive and give the best for my children.
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 am able to provide school requirements for my children in time. I am a motorcycle taxi rider whose income was not much to feed my family. I used to struggle to raise school fees for my children and in most cases, they would be sent home for the same. Whenever they were sent home, I would have to borrow money to pay the fees. This has led to stagnation in my financial life. I am glad I have been able to pay all my debts and most of the fees arrears.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I want to ensure I pay school fees for my children in time. I would want to give my children the besty in terms of education so that when they are finanlly through with education, thjey will get well paying jobs and bnot live the kind of life I have lived.
 
7th 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?
Apart from being able to meet my family daily needs, I have also been able to buy a sheep for rearing.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goals are to see my children transition to college after their high school.
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 meet my family daily needs. Previously the little I got from doing casual jobs I had to divide so as to pay school fees and ensure they feed too.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I'm hopeful that more of my children will be able to join secondary school using the money.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 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?
My new goal is to buy small livestock.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different in that my stress level is slightly reduced.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months I expect my life to change since I am hiring an ox-plough, which translates to more efficient food production and hopefully more food.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that being the sole provider for my family and just a motor cycle rider with low income, GD payments have made it possible for me to plan to pay Compulsory Meal charges for my 2 children who are students in Secondary school with ease since they pay a total of 2,000 KES per month. For this I am very thankful, so I plan to divert what I make to some other use.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have faced in life is not being able to find a stable job to help me cater for most of my family's needs and more so that of paying for my children's education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evenings when I come back home from work and I am able to rest and bond with my family members
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on improving the welfare of my children's basic needs of clothing, feeding and going to school.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The proudest achievement of my life is having been able to take care of my wife and children till this far despite having no stable source of income.