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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Tobias's Profile
Tobias's family
Tobias
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
23
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($471 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I wanted to finish building my house. I had started building a wooden house with my first transfer. Unfortunately, I was not able to complete the construction of the house. I want to use the second transfer to complete it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by helping the less privileged in society. Everybody in our village is very grateful and they are singing praises of how the money has helped them to raise their stands of living. Once I invest the money I have saved I will be financially stable and be able
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a total of KSH 20000 in the preparation of completing the construction of the house. I have already bought the raw materials required for the building. I have nails, wood, timber, and iron sheets ready. I am currently waiting for the carpenter who will build the house to finish up his other jobs so that we can start the process of completing the house. At the time I was receiving the transfer I was tending to my younger sister who had been admitted to hospital. Immediately I received the money I spent KSH 3000 in buying some medicine that was required for her to get better. I also paid KSH 3000 to the hospital to clear her bills for her to be cleared. I am happy that she is recovering well and soon she will be back on her feet. I also paid KSH 5000 to my cousin who was seating for KNEC final examinations in college. She did not have the money and neither did her parents and I decide to help her out. I am also happy that she was able to do her exams and she is currently awaiting her results. I used KSH 9000 to buy food and other household items for my family. I decide to buy some 2 bags of maize that will be consumed by the whole family. The maize I bought will feed us for the next two months which is something good as I can focus on other personal projects. I also saved the other amount totaling KSH 15000. I am still thinking of the best project to invest the money in. Once I have come to a conclusion I will use the saved money in the chosen project then.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was out that morning to the nearby village where I was picking some household essentials. Receiving the message from GiveDirectly was a surprise at first but after taking a keen read between the line and checking my account balance, I got excited to know that the promised aid was finally in my account. I had to rush home with all I was carrying as I was eager to break the good news to my family. On receiving the news, my wife was also excited, and we had to get ourselves ready to visit the nearest shopping center for our first purchases. I ensured that I involve my wife in every step since I needed her to be a witness of every expense I was making and in agreement since it was clearly stated that the transfer was meant for the household and not the recipient alone.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life after receiving the first transfer is the great revamp of our old house. It is now looking great both from the outside and even the interior part that we are currently working on. Everyone in my household is so excited with new esteem boosted by the new face of our house. I am glad that I can confidently welcome everyone home without the fear of a small space in the visitors' room or the shame of sharing old bedding with them. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for this generous support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After enrolling in the GiveDirectly's program on their visit to our village, I had been full of hope that I will do a lot soon starting with revamping our old mud-walled house. On receiving it, it was my first call to obtain 25 iron sheets at KES750 each, cut enough timber and frames from the already bought trees at a total cost of KES15000, obtained new bedding, and also a new piece of furniture at KES7000. I needed an extra room after renovating the walls, and I am glad to be at my final stages currently. Welcoming visitors is no longer a problem as I now have a spacious room fully equipped with new bedding. The superb facelift from the outside has also boosted my esteem as the old mud walls were not appealing and needed weekly plastering to avoid mud fall out. With the remaining amount, I managed to save and has been useful in settling debts and paying the construction's labor force.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wanted to start a business, in a butchery. This is because I have been employed in such a business before. I realised that it rakes in a lot of profits.My employer used to make about 150 USD per month. That could also be my story if I spend the money I get from GiveDirectly to start it. I will use the proceeds to improve my home by building another house. My current house doubles up as kitchen and a living room at the same time and this is not proper. I will also have money to pay school fees for my wife and child who is starting his education in August 2021. It worries me that he may not start on time if I continue to rely only on my motorcycle taxi which gives me just about 3 USD per day, barely enough for food, let alone, school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is because I have the time to spend with my family as we also take our evening meals. I enjoy this time since there is a lot of reprieve from the daily hustles having found bread for them from the taxi business.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship is I face in my life is paying school fees for my wife. She is pursuing a secretarial course in a college. I believe this will help us in future when she gets her own job. Operating motorcycle taxi business alone, is only enough for foodstuffs in the household.