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 > Mutai's Profile
Mutai's family
Mutai
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Carpentry
faceAge:
28
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($452 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Having acquired the necessary carpentry tools and opened a small workshop, it is my wish to expand it. I am planning to acquire more equipment and move to a bigger room after some time. This will create more job opportunities for young people in my neighborhood who are usually idle. Aside from increasing my profits that will enable me to cater to our needs on time, I will be glad to be a source of other people's happiness and source of livelihood.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well in uplifting people's lives in different ways through the unconditional transfer that we were able to spend in different ways depending on our priorities and goals in life. I do not see anything that they did not do well since their officers were also good people who treated everyone equally and with respect.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used to make portable chicks house for sale before GiveDirectly came for enrollment. This business was not profitable since not all households have the capacity to purchase them. Upon receiving my recent transfer, I spent it to buy the basic carpentry tools and to open my own workshop at our neighboring trading center after topping up some amount. Making the portable chick's house will be my side hustle and I will be keeping them in my workshop so that everyone who visits my shop can easily see the items available. Since I am good at what I do, I believe that this business will pick in no time and I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to achieve this.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am while still sleeping when I heard a message alert on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly.I was very happy because I had never received such an amount before.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I received the transfers is financial stability. This is because I now have adequate food hence reduced household expenses. Secondly, I have a generator that will easily irrigate my farm, especially during dry spells hence more produce. Additionally, I have a second heifer which will be a source of income in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a father of two, a carpenter, and a chick's house maker for the past three years. These ventures have helped to feed my family. Secondly, I also do agribusiness farming of tomatoes, sukuma wiki, and cabbages. But this is normally affected by long dry spells. So when I received my transfers I spent KES 23,000 on a generator that will aid in irrigating my vegetables. Thirdly, I spent KES 22,500 on a heifer which will be a source of milk once it reproduces. This is because I have been buying a liter of milk for the past ten years at KES 60 which has been quite costly. Initially, I had four dairy cows but paid out three as dowry about 8 years ago and the remaining one is now due. This will help in reducing milk expenses soon. Fourthly, I spent KES 5,000 on boosting my chick house-making business. This is because I normally sell one at KES 600 and KES 5000 profit every month. This is a venture I started when finished school about three years ago and has been my main income source. Lastly, I spent KES 1,000 on food and household items.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means my family will get enough nutritious food. Every week I earn KES 2,000 which is enough to cater to my family's basic needs but nothing is left to save. I am planning to use KES 25,000 to purchase a lactating dairy cow which will ease my burden of using KES 60 per day buying milk. Having this will make me proud because my children will have enough milk for drinking and then I can sell the surplus. The rest I will use buy stock for my carpentry work.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Two weeks ago, God blessed us with our second child. My wife delivered safely and our son is healthy. Seeing him growing up well and happy is what gives me happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The lack of enough capital for my business is a very big challenge. I build portable shelters for chicken for sale. Although there is high demand, I lack money for purchasing equipment and materials used in building. I feel bad whenever I disappoint my customers when they visit my shop .