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:
Other
faceAge:
26
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
47900 KES ($464 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
check
 
What did you spend your third transfer on?
I spent my third transfer on building a 3 room house since lump sum money is hard to come by in life. I took advantage since my family lived in a terribly leaking house for 4 good years and housing was always a need. It happens that I spent my second transfer in establishing a business. For 6 goods years I had been attached to a Carpentry workshop in Eldoret where I trained and thereafter worked for the owner. Things were not working out, so I moved back to the village and ventured into fishing for people for an income, but still things were not working out even after doing this for seven years. As a result, my family lived in a leaking house. I am grateful to GD for financing me for my own Carpentry Workshop with a Capital of 30,000 KES, which I decided to locate in Eldoret. I make beds, sofa sets, wardrobes, and other furniture items. My current acquisitions from the 5 month-old business is a heifer and 2 goats valued 22,000 KES, and cash savings of 15,000 KES. Besides, I have ready-made furniture items worth about 80,000 KES.I have also managed to buy clothing materials worth 3,000 KES for my wife who is a tailor but could never venture into the trade due to lack of starting capital, as much as she had the tailoring machine already. Currently she is running the tailoring business at home in the village. Thank you very Much GD.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
attach_money
 
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used a portion of my second transfer to buy iron sheets which am planning to use in building a new house and move away from a rented one, I bought household furniture and a bed which I did not have in my house. I used a portion to pay school fees for my child who is in preschool because this is the only way to secure her future. The remaining amount, I spent on two goats with a purpose of rearing and also to sell whenever am need of money in future and also bought household items which I did not have.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well in sending us transfers which has brought alot of changes to recipients in our community and they now live a much better life than the previous one. I have not seen anything that GD has not done well.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
If I would not have received the money, I would still be harboring the dream of living in an iron roofed house but now it will be a reality because I have bought the iron sheets which I intend to use to build a new house and also I would not have bought the two goats.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
10000 KES ($96 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
attach_money
 
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on admitting my two young children into nursery school at 6,000 KES, bought half a bag of maize at 2,500 KES then used the rest of the cash on little house items.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt happy when I received the transfer because it gave me the assurety that GiveDirectly is real and truthful.
 
Enrolled
access_time 7 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship in my life is means of survival.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is at night when am in the house having some rest .
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is going to change my life as it is going to make my wife start up a business and my children to go to good schools .