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 > James's Profile
James's family
James
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
31
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on James's next check-in.
 
19th 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?
Currently, I have been able to buy the building materials like iron sheets and I can't wait to buy all the required amount and start building the kitchen. This has brought the change in my life as I am now more hopeful that I will own a kitchen in the near future. My wife will not have to cook under a tree and risk being rained on whenever it rains. I was also able to expand on my farming by buying the fertilizer to boost the growth of the maize and also hybrid maize seeds to help increase the farm proceeds to help improve our livelihood.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have a new goal of buying building materials like iron sheets and poles that I plan to use in building a new kitchen as I do not have one.
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 not having any financial troubles like I used to. I hardly go around begging neighbours, relatives and friends for any financial help during the constraints. Something that would make people avoid me and also gossip about me every time. I am now able to put food on the table for my family on a daily basis and also invest in farming by paying the casual labourers who work on farms. With the transfers, I can easily buy fertilizer and hybrid maize seeds to help boost my farm proceeds which we can sell to generate income and also consume some to nourish our health. I cannot thank the organization enough for making such a huge change in my life and giving me financial independence.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to must have bought more building materials and built the kitchen. I will be a proud owner of a very beautiful kitchen that will definitely be the envy of the entire village. My wife will be a happy one as she would be protected from the harsh weather conditions while preparing the family meals.
 
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?
Months ago, I was still living in my parent's compound in a very tiny house. With the help of these transfers, I was able to buy the necessary materials and build a more spacious house in my own compound. I am particularly more excited about the steel doors and windows that I was able to buy, all thanks to GD transfers. Having one's home is fulfilling as it a sign of maturity in my culture and I am grateful that GD helped me achieve it sooner than it would have been with my own resources.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I recently moved into my own home away from my father's compound and my house is still fairly new. It is currently made of mud but my plan is to plaster it for durability and easy maintenance. I wish to save my transfers so that I can be able to buy the required materials for the plastering which I hope I will complete soon.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Being that I am the sole provider for my family, receiving these transfers have really taken a huge burden off my shoulders. It helps me take care of most important stuff in the family such as paying fees for my children in kindergarten which sometimes is hard owing to my little income from casual work.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
Completing plastering my entire house will be the best thing to happen to my family and I hope that I will have accomplished that in the next six months so that I can relax knowing that I spent GD transfers on important stuff even long after the project is over.
 
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?
My life is currently different from how it was in that, I easily take care of my budget well. I even save some amount so as to meet my goals like recently, I managed to fix windows and a door in my new house. This was not possible before the transfer because I could depend on the odd jobs alone which were not enough to cater for my needs. I thank GiveDirectly very much because I managed to meet most of my longest desired goals.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goals are; to buy a mattress and a bed for my children who sleep down on a mat and add more seats. I want them to sleep in a comfortable place because their current place of sleeping is uncomfortable making them feel tired instead of being active in the morning.
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 was able to fix windows and doors. In the past months, I have been working hard to save part of the monthly payments that I get from GiveDirectly and from the odd jobs that I do. The outcome was fruitful because I used the amount on building a house. And as I continued with the goal of finishing it, I managed to fix the doors and windows. I am glad that I have already occupied my new house. Previously, I could not handle my budget well but today I can attest that I am focused since I can even save and accomplish my goal.
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, my house will be fully furnished when I buy seats and my children will be sleeping in a decent place since currently, they sleep down on a mat which is normally uncomfortable which makes them wake up tired rather than being active in the morning.
 
8th 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?
We combined our transfers as a family then repaired and enlarged our house, and we are currently living in a better and much decent place than before.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to use the next few transfers to purchase and fix steel doors and windows in my house to replace the current wooden ones which easily get destroyed by the rain.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I now find it easier taking care of my family's needs and other activities such as paying for the services offered on my dfarm by laborers.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I hope that we will be able to save enough money by then as a family to start a business for my wife who is a housewife at the moment so that she can also contribute to the family budget. This will reduce the strain on my side and my children will well be taken care of.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
attach_money
 
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
Yes I do, I have set my mind that I have to save and invest in projects that may change my life.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Were it not for the transfer, I would not have acquired peace of mind during farming season. Before, I could feel too much stress for lack of money to finance my farming activities.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have a very improved lifestyle for I shall have saved enough and invested the savings in a daily income generating activity.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have developed some financial confidence that never existed before. I have been assured that I will be able to cater for any emergency that comes my way.
 
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 when I was hospitalized for two months because of an ailment that the health providers could not diagonize. It was a tough time for my family because I am the bread winner.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening after dinner while relaxing with my family.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfers to finish my house which I had started building, pay school fee for my children and buy some household items.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is building my own spacious iron-roofed house in my own compound. I used to live in a tiny hut in my father's compound.