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 > Mutai's Profile
Mutai's family
Mutai
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
35
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($490 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Just like everyone who received the transfer from GiveDirectly, I have seen a lot of changes in my household that could not have been possible if I had never received it. I managed to add two cows to my herd that will soon boost milk production thus the milk-selling business that I had been running with the neighbor's produce. I also ventured into a new farming technique where I am producing vegetables under irrigation. So far my farms are doing so well and I am looking forward to making my first harvest soon.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The complete change in the village outlook currently is fully attributed to the great work done by GiveDirectly when they chose to work in our village. Even though we were not directed on what to spend the money on, it is my feeling that every member of the village managed to address the pressing needs they had. Many constructed new houses, ventured into advanced farming, obtained livestock while others cleared school fees payment for their kids. I am one of the grateful beneficiaries as I am currently farming vegetables under irrigation and also bought two cows from both transfers. I have no complaints at all, and as well never heard anyone who would have wished otherwise but thanking GiveDirectly for the work well done.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the second transfer, I was grateful to first give out 5500KES to the church as the annual one-tenth of the receipt. I added a cow worth 30000KES to my herd as I had been hoping to produce more milk as an additional source of income for my family. with the remaining amount, I obtained a second-hand generator currently useful in pumping water to irrigate my vegetable farm. In the next few months, I will be harvesting tomatoes and kales that I planted in the small piece of land I bought with the first transfer. I also managed to partition grazing fields after spending 6700KES on buying fencing poles and a barbed wire. I am grateful for the progress I have made so far in my farming, and even though the project is not fully established, I am looking forward to buying my own pipes as I had been borrowing the ones I am currently using.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($515 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was out at the grazing field when I received a message notification to my phone. Upon checking, I noticed that I had received my first transfers as promised. I thanked heaven and thought of giving out tithe before spending on what I had in mind.
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 more livestock which is a source of my wealth. I saved my money in livestock which do appreciate over a period of time. I was also relieved after I bought enough food for the family. Now with the income generated from sale of milk is enough to cater for other family needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving my first transfers, I was greatful to God for having chosen to bless us through GiveDirectly. I gave thanks through tithe of KES 5500 which is 10% of the total amount received. I then bought two sacks of maize for food at a cost of KES 6000. The remaining amount, I invested in livestock. I bought two sheep at a total cost of KES 6000 and a dairy cow which cost me KES 35000. I added one cow to my stock so that I would have four cows in number. This would mean that I will have more milk for sale thus increased income.
 
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Adding one dairy cow at $300 to the three I have, hence increased daily income is what receiving this money means to me. I usually get 10litres of milk from my three cattle daily which I sell 7 litres at $0.3 per litre and the remaining 3 litres are left for my household consumption hence an additional cow means more milk for sale. I will then use the remaining $600 to buy goats which will be my store of wealth to be sold to cater for my children's education in future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My usual day entails spending the whole day on the roads doing my motorcycle taxi business which involves ferrying my clients and other goods to various destinations for pay. The nature of my job is very risky especially riding on the roads full of reckless drivers, thus arriving back home in the evening safe and sound to reunite with my family is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Reduced income as a result of low milk production due to prolonged drought in this region has made me lag behind development wise since whenever drought strike in, I am always forced to spend all my savings from my motorcycle taxi business that I could have otherwise used for other projects such as venturing into other businesses, to buy food for my household. This is the biggest hardship I face