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 > Mercy's Profile
Mercy's family
Mercy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
31
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($524 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different in that I have improved my poshomill business within the village. This has led to increased levels of income for the family and brought about a rise in the living standards of my family as well. We look forward to even better days ahead.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did so well in giving us unconditional support without favoring anyone whatsoever. They also did this with utmost fairness and independently. Theirs was work perfectly done. I did not have any reservations on how they conducted themselves in their operations.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer to build a new house and the remaining amount was used to improve our family business. I had already bought building materials from the first transfer and it was just a matter of buying the remaining building materials and meeting the cost of casual labour to be able to bring the house to completion. We chose to build a new house having lived in a very small house with the family for a long time. The little income that we received from our casual jobs could only allow us meet the daily needs and hardly any to save up and build one. The business improvement was also very instrumental in increasing the level of income in our family and bringing a rise in the general living standards of our family. We feel so much indebted to GiveDirectly for this timely support.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now have a lactating cow that provides me with milk. I previously used to spend so much buying milk for our daily use. My daily expenses have now reduced since the budget on milk as been removed. My children too can now study peacefully in school now that I paid their school fees and they won't be sent home for it. I am also glad that we were able to improve my husband's grain business and hopefully there would be improved proceeds in the near future. We are grateful for Give Directly for this noble course.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 4 Am in the morning while feeding my baby when I received the transfer. I got so excited and I finally knew that I would rest especially with the casual labor that usually. I waited for sunrise to break the good news to my family since I did not want to disturb them.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I bought a dairy cow for rearing using the transfer received from Give Directly. I only had one cow that was less productive and when I got the money, I saw it fit to buy another one. This was aimed at reducing the daily expenses that I usually incur while purchasing milk for household use. I also built a kitchen using the rest of the transfer since my previous kitchen was old and leaky and it was uncomfortable during the rainy seasons. I used the rest of the transfer to improve my spouse's business and bought some food for my family with rest.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When we receive this money,we will expand our cereals business which we mainly depend on as a source of income.I will also buy a dairy cow inorder to increase milk production.Currently we have very little which is mainly for consumption.I would wish to start selling more milk to boost our income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After my children go to school in the morning,I graze cattle up to around noon when I prepare lunch.After lunch I feed the cattle and embark on normal household chores till evening comes.Evening is the happiest part of my day because I get to relax after working the whole day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is the financial constraints that one goes through as the children grow up.A few years ago we took a loan from a sacco which really strained us.We took the loan to start a cereals business which did not pick well.At one time they threatened to sell our property because of deafaulting.Generally,meeting the family's needs has not been easy.My husband is in the business most of the time as a middle man while I am at home doing a little bit of farming.