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 > Ruto's Profile
Ruto's family
Ruto
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
29
workCampaign
UBI
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
25500 KES ($253 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
When I look back four months ago, there is a big difference in my life. Things were tough for us. We used to do casual work to earn something small for food. We then got the transfer from GiveDirectly and things changed. I got some form of capital that freed me from casual work to start my own farm work. I only do casual work when I choose to and not out of need, so I am grateful that the funds brought me such freedom.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have any new goal at the moment. I plan to work hard in my farm and give it my best.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
My life really changed having received cash transfer from GiveDirectly. The biggest difference is the piece of land that I leased using the transfer. For the next five years I will be farming on the space. I then bought seedlings of beans, cabbages and some fertilizer. I have planted beans expecting a harvest in the next two months hence an income. I will have a perpetual income source for the next five years from farming courtesy of GiveDirectly. There is a ready market in our area for farm produce hence I am assured of sale.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change positively in the next six months. My children will be joining secondary school in the near future. So I expect to establish my farm work and get funds from selling the produce. I will be having roughly two harvests in six months hence some income that will enable me to invest in livestock for future sale so as to meet school fee needs when the time comes. We are grateful to GiveDirectly; they have changed our lives.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
23675 KES ($236 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that now I have a bigger house which can accommodate well my family. before we use to squeeze ourselves in one room.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I would like to buy a motorcycle and start buying milk for sale. I would like to start the business as I can easily collect milk in my village and transport it to sell in town and I can make some good cash though that business.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently we have a spacious house, whenever I have visitors I have somewhere they can sat and that my children can have a place to study.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to buy a cow so that we can get milk for use. Currently we buy milk for use and sometimes its so expensive to buy.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship i have face is in 2015 when i had a road accident.I lost two of my teeth and had a huge cut on my chin.At that time i did not have any form of income and hence i had to struggle to raise money for medical purposes
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when i wake up healthy and my family is healthy too.It gives me joy because i know i can go about my daily duties without any worry
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I plan to spend part of the transfer in buying a cow(heifer)which with time will be able to provide milk for my family.I will use the remaining to lease a piece of land,plough and plant maize and beans.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
I used to live in Kokwon village until 7 years ago when i bought the piece of land i live in now,built and moved with my family.Buying this piece of land is the achievement I am proudest of