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 > Mark's Profile
Mark's family
Mark
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
50
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Mark'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 built chicken shed for my poultry project. I used part of my transfer to buy iron sheets, nails, and timber which I used in building chicken shed. I know I will achieve this goal of having poultry project because I have come from far. I did not know I could come this far because I did not have the resources to do all these. With GD transfers, I have come a great way.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I have a new goal of starting a poultry project. This is because I would want to have a stable source of income so that I can bring my family back home. My wife left me because I could not take of them but when I have a stable income, I will be able to take care of them well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily since I started receiving these transfers is that at the beginning of every month I have money. This is a big difference in my life being that I used to depend on income from casual work which was inconsistent and earning very little. I would struggle in life to meet my needs and sometimes I would go for a whole month without getting money especially during off planting season. The story changed since I started receiving transfers from GD.
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 started the poultry project. I want to use part of my monthly transfers to buy chicken bit by bit until I have the required number for the project. I know through this, my life will never be the same again.
 
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 other difference in my life in the last four months is that I have an assurance that every month I have money from GD. Before the transfers, I was not sure I could get money as regular as now. I only depended on casual work which was not consistent. At times, I would go for a whole month without money yet my needs arose on a daily basis. Ever since I started receiving these transfers, I have been able to plan well with my transfer and help me reduce my financial burdens.
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 a poultry business so as to boost my income. I know through this, I will have a stable source of income to help me meet my family needs without much struggle and begging as before.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Before the transfers, I used to use local seeds without fertilizer when farming. This is because I did not have the resources required to buy fertilizer and hybrid seeds. I only depended on income from casual work which was not even enough to feed and meet other family needs. This is the reason why I was not able to spare some money to buy farm input. Ever since I started receiving these transfers, I have been able to buy fertilizer and hybrid maize seed which I have been using on my farm. These have resulted in an increase in my harvest from the normal 2 sacks to 7 sacks now. Thanks to Give Directly.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I want to use my transfers on savings so that I can be able to achieve my goal of starting a poultry business. I would want to use this opportunity given to me by GD to make a bold financial step to better my life.
 
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 have peace of mind since I have been able to plan consistent with the transfer to get daily meals without missing. Therefore, my family members and I are happy and healthy unlike before when I didn't have money in hand due to the scarcity of employment.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to save up money from part of the transfers and invest in the horticultural business to make an extra source of income.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily is that I have been able to plan consistent with the transfer to get daily meals without missing. I didn't have money in hand before and it was so challenging for me hence I had to do hard jobs to earn a living and meet those basic needs which includes food. Now I am able to plan ahead even for a month or so with ease.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect in the next six months, that my life will be more prosperous since I would have saved enough money which will necessitate the start of the horticultural project to make an extra source of income.
 
7th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently diffeent from the way it was four months ago in that currently I can say I'm financially stable and I do not strain a lot.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have a new goal of starting up a dairy unit because I believe I'll be able to get more income.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my day in the last four months preceding the transfers is that I can financially plan for my activities without any challenges.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have started up a dairy unit.
 
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?
Currently I do not have any new goals so far.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The difference in my life currently is that we eat well and I now have hope that my will get better as a result of the transfer. I can now borrow loan with courage knowing I will be able to pay.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I plan to finish my house which I have been building and to pay dowry.
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 this transfer is that I eat well together with my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have is financial instability since the kind of work that I do is not consistent.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when having rest after along day's tiresome work.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on starting a poultry farming.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is that I used to stay in Nairobi where I didn't have enough income.I could not come home because I did not have a house but through small savings, I managed to build a house and I am now home.