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 > David's Profile
David's family
David
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on David's next check-in.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Peoples living standards have greatly improved as they are now able to plan themselves accordingly with the unconditional transfers received. Projects are being completed and lives are being bettered all thanks to GiveDirectly. More to that, we hope that the transfers can be increased if possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The pay that comes with being a motorcycle taxi driver is not that much, especially when most of the income is spent on servicing the motorbike loan that I use which has only two months left to clear. I am married to my lovely wife who sells vegetables at her local kiosk and together we have four children who are in school. The KES 3000 received played a major role, as I was able to buy food worth KES 2000 for my family to last us for a period of three weeks since what we previously had was finished. Our children needed some necessities for school purposes, thus I bought them books at KES 300 and school shoes worth KES 700 enabling them to comfortably attend school when they reopen.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home early in the morning, so broke, waiting if I could be lucky to get a call from any of the customers who needed motorcycle taxi services. At the same time, I was wondering how I was going to raise some money for my family's meals when a message streamed on my phone. At first, I thought it was a client requesting me to call back and to my surprise, I had received the cash transfers. This was the happiest moment of my life. I, immediately left for the shop to get breakfast for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have only received my first transfer which assisted me mostly with the foodstuffs for my family. The current economy is tough coupled with the drought we have been facing. Raising money for the most basic needs like food for my family has been a challenge because I only earn KES 300 from the motorcycle taxi I am assigned to work in. I am glad the money came in handy to sort the foodstuffs for my family. I am also hopeful that the chicken I bought for rearing will be of great help in the future. Once it starts laying then we shall not only be assured of more chicken but some of the eggs will be consumed by my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Food security has been a challenge in our household. I am the main income earner and the KES 300 I earn from a motorcycle taxi is not enough to meet most of my household's needs. In most cases, I would borrow foodstuffs from a local shop and pay in installments whenever I got some money. At the time when I received the first transfer, I owed the shopkeeper KES 500 which I cleared with part of the money. KES 500 I spent on a chicken for rearing so that I could add to the few I had. They are good investments because they are easy to manage in terms of feeds. The remaining KES 2000 I spent on most of the dry foodstuffs which is enough to push my family for quite some time. We are currently facing drought which has led to the rise in the cost of food and the transfers were a life savior.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a small house that cannot accommodate my family of six people. Three of my children seek refuge in my mother's house, this has been pushing me to build a house but all my plans have been failing. Receiving this money means I will save 1000 KES every month to buy iron sheets so that I can build a house that will comfortably accommodate the six of us.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am one of the beneficiaries of Samaritan Purse who gave me five she-goats and a he-goat. This made me feel privileged. I am grateful and happy for this.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Am a Boda Boda rider and the business is becoming tougher and too competitive. Getting a customer is no longer a walk in the park, a single customer is a scramble for by almost five riders at the same time this makes it hard to get enough money to take care of family expenses as well as save for other things such as building a house or starting a business.