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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 > Brian's Profile
Brian's family
Brian
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
House construction
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($511 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am able to do business which generates some cash at the end of the day. Apart from that, I also rely on the casual businesses of being a barber within the locality and so far I think it has generated some money which keeps me going on a day to day basis.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization transformed peoples live by giving them money which they used to purchase some items which they would have never achieved to date were it not for the cash transfers.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I bought a car wash machine which has so far been of great help to me in terms of getting additional cash on top of my normal day to day job where I operate a barbershop. barbershop business. On top of that, I also made sure that I bought a water tank which will act as a preserve for the family especially during the dry seasons. I also went to the shops and bought a brand new music system which I use as a source of entertainment at my workplace.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life since I received this transfer is that I now have a television in my house. Before I received this transfer, I used to quarrel with my children every day because they would leave the house unattended to simply because they went to watch television at my neighbour's house. The neighbour too had accused them of stealing from his house whenever they went to watch. This really troubled me and took away my peace. In as much as I had other agent financial needs, I had to buy a television so that I could stop the constant struggle between me and my neighbour. I feel very proud because my children can nolonger bother my neighbour with watching especially when schools are closed like now.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received this money. I was very happy. I had to kiss my phone. For a moment I remembered how I have always struggled to make ends meet through casual work when I was not given a motorcycle and I thanked God for this miracle. I then called the owner of the motorcycle I wanted to buy, just to inform him that I have the deposit so that he should not commit selling the motorcycle to someone else.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my transfer on paying for a deposit for a second-hand motorcycle which I have always wanted to own since last year. I have been hiring one which I use for taxi business but I felt I should have my own. Since I did not have enough money to buy my own, it has always been just a dream. The rest of the transfer, I used to buy household items such as bedding, television and food. I have been sleeping on very old beddings and I felt I needed to change them. I also have lacked any form of entertainment in my house especially for my children. They have always gone to my neighbour's house to watch television and the only way to stop this, was to buy my one.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a lot of change in my life since the cash transfer that I am going to receive will enable me improve my house and invest in farming, while the entire second transfer I will spend on buying a car wash machine that will be able to generate me revenue daily, because my wife left me due to poor living conditions, I will also consider bringing her back because she left with my child.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest moment is usually in the evening after having worked a whole day, because after taking bath you will rest to recover from a heavy worked up day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is seeing my wife abandon our marriage it was around April last year, it was so dry and the casual construction jobs were not available and she accused me of not feeding them, and you can imagine how such gossip cause trauma in a small village like ours.