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 > Joan's Profile
Joan's family
Joan
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
26
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
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Follow to be updated on Joan's next check-in.
 
26th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal, for now, is to continue buying more sheep as an investment. My ultimate goal is to buy at least two cows. I would also want to have the privilege of owning a cow just like my neighbours. The fact that I do not have any makes me feel the poorest which I would not want to feel anymore after the life-changing opportunity given by GD.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have never owned any kind of livestock in my life before. I just used to admire and feel very jealous of my neighbours who had some. In as much as I would have wanted to have some, I could not because my income could not even meet our basic needs leave alone saving for other needs. In a way, I knew that this was an area God had not remembered me and I had accepted it. But when I started receiving my transfers and handled the most basic and urgent needs, I realised I can spare some amount. This is when I remembered the area I could not achieve on my own and started saving for livestock. I am glad I managed to buy three sheep already which is just the genesis of many more to come.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will be different in the next six months because I will be having my own cows. This is a dream I gave up on long ago because, in my own ways, I could not manage to raise money to buy a cow unless I had to sell a piece of land which I was not ready to do. Since I started receiving my transfers from GD and I have already managed to buy three sheep, I will add tow more and then exchange the sheep for a cow. I am determined in buying a cow because when the cow reproduces, not only will the number I have increase, I will also have milk for family consumption and even sell the rest to an extra income which will be a boost in handling family needs. Anytime I have any financial emergency, I can also sell some to raise money for the emergency without taking a loan or borrowing.
 
24th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My additional goals for the next four months is to buy a cow as an asset. This, I know shall be of great help to me and my family in that I shall be more independent financially and ready to meet other emergency needs if any.
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 the fact I can now comfortably meet the cost of the basic household needs and help my family reduce the cost of living. I have also been able to continuously take part in a merry go round without fail which has again provided me with an opportunity to make other meaningful family investments. I look forward to buying more livestock that will see me be more financially independent and meet any emergency needs that may require cash.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I see myself being more financially able and independent. I plan to accumulate my monthly transfers and buy more assets that will see me achieve this in the long run. By buying more assets then I can think of starting up a business that will increase my income as well and improve the living standards of my family.
 
19th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 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 has currently improved in the fact that I have savings in a merry go round group unlike before. I used to struggle with the daily basic provisions. Lack of a proper business exposed us to severe shortages of food and other needs. Having this from the transfer that comes every month. I have been able o even go further and save in a small group in my village. I am so happy to manage all these feats under the help of this charity.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I aim to establish a source of income. I want to start a shop business. I will use the money to pay the initial rent and use the saving s to stock the shop.
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 the issue of buying food for the household. I have a big challenge because maize is no longer doing well on our farm. This long drought occasioned a situation whereby we have to buy everything that we consume. Help from this money has enabled me to sufficiently meet the our needs. Without GD, we would have been in famine crisis as a home.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have started a shop business in my village. I will be making money from it and this will enable me to comfortably be able to cater to my child. The baby will soon be starting school and will require the school fees and other educational costs that must be covered. This will be [possible if I establish a constant source of income.
 
15th 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?
Currently, we can afford most of the basic needs. We have enough food now, I no longer overwork or strain myself in order to make ends meet. I get worried less often because the most pressing needs are catered for. I at times do casual jobs in order to supplement what I already have which is less tedious compared to when I could overwork myself to ensure our daily needs were met.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to start a poultry project in the near future. I joined a merry go round which helps me in saving the money I normally get. When my turn finally comes, I will buy building materials for putting up a chicken house. The money will also help me in buying a few chicken to start with. This project is like a breakthrough for me. I believe my life will not be the same once the business picks up.
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 now independent. I no longer depend on my parents for most of my personal needs. Before I used to ask for almost everything from my parents and most of the time they didn't have money to get me whatever I had asked for. I thank Give Directly for considering teenagers who are usually left out when such programs are enrolled. I have started thinking of a way of earning income even after Give Directly have finished their program in this village. Having your own money guarantees you the freedom of spending it the way you want without having to plead with your parents.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My next goal is to get employed so that I am able to help my parents in other duties and activities such as paying school fees for my siblings. Currently, I am using my monthly income from GiveDireclty to help me pay school fees. I know once I graduate and get a certificate, I will get a job which will help me help my family and improve our standards of living.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I currently dress and eat well unlike four months ago. I also have joined a savings group through table banking. We are 5 members and we contribute KES 5000 each. I appreciate the fact that the savings habit has been inculcated in me by the transfers. I am even able to save more from the profits I get from the business unlike before. As a result, I can then do more development projects.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I am planning to settle down and live near the center where my shop is located. I have been commuting from my parents home and it is getting more costly because I have to buy food instead of cooking and the high cost of transport. I also would like to stay on my own and start my own life. Settling near the shop will also mean more profit as I will get more time to make more sales. This really requires a big amount to pay rent, furnish and buy necessities but the proceeds from my business are enough to cater for all the expenses because the transfers boosted my business.
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 improved my business. I own a shop that deals mostly in household goods like sugar, tea leaves, toiletries and cooking fat. It was less stocked and it was on the verge of collapsing. I was really going at a loss. Receiving the transfer was a savior to my business. When I got the transfers I restocked my shop. I joined a savings group through table banking. Out of this group, I got over KES 40,000 which I used to buy more stock for my shop. The profits from the shop are now triple what I used to get and I am the happiest woman. I am even the breadwinner at home at the moment. My parents and siblings are well catered for as far as basic needs are concerned.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in that by then I will have invested a lot in my business and from the returns, I am planning to buy one or two acres of land. I will also open a cereals shop and from then I will enough income to enable me to pay my school fees as I am planning to join college next year.
 
7th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life currently is different since I have been able to join merry go round group.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
The new goals I now have is to buy a water tank for my parents and a calf.
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 happiness.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in that I will have bought a water tank.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I have plans to buy a sheep which can multiply and then become a source of income to start a clothes business and I also intend to increase my current shop stock.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life currently, is financially different from how I used to be because I used to acquire my shop stock on credit basis but since GiveDirectly came in I buy my stock on cash basis.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life in terms of my shop stock to have grown in leaps and bounds in the next six months so that I can get more income.I also expect to have enough water containers in our my home in the next six months.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that am very happy that the transfers have helped me to buy my shop stock in cash and not on credit as I used to.I am now more hopeful that I will be receiving the transfers every month for the next twelve years this will help to grow my shop.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am facing in my life is shortage of funds since if I had money I would have joined college
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon since that is when am free and if I have a challenge its time I can also share it with my friends.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
Am planning to spend my transfers to start business. I will start with a kiosk the upgrade with time
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement which am proud of is my education since I was abke to finish my form four studies and am yet to join college.