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.
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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Mariana's Profile
Mariana's family
Mariana
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
62
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Mariana's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, I have been able to invest and venture into livestock rearing as a form of financial security for the family. My family is secure all through the year as I started a business that generates income on a daily basis. With all these, my grandchildren are sure that their school fees will be settled in time and also get food on the table on a daily basis.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have plans of saving the transfers to pay the contractor who will plaster my house. I had bought the materials that I require previously.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life in the past few months is that I was able to pay school fees for my grandchildren who now get the chance to stay in school and have ample time studying. Previously, I would worry about where to get the school fees from but now I am really grateful to GD for they have made their dreams come true.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I shall have saved and bought more stock to boost my business to improve on income generation for the family. I would have also plastered my house by then and I would have a very beautiful house that will be the envy of the whole village.
 
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I spent my transfer on starting a small retail shop business which has been my source of income. I have been using the profits from the business to invest in farming activities like buying inputs such as hybrid seed and fertilizers. As a result, I got bumper harvest which has helped us because we are eating well and I am able to pay school fees with a lot of ease
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new additional goal is I want to buy land for my two grandsons who are total orphans. I am now their parents since their mother died before revealing the identity of the father so I have to shoulder the burden and take care of them. I want to buy building materials such as sand and cement which I want to use in plastering my house. I do not have the energy to smear every month as I used to. I would want to focus my energy on other family income generating activities.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I spent my transfer on starting a small retail shop business which has been my source of income. I have been using the profits from the business to invest in farming activities like buying inputs such as hybrid seed and fertilizers. As a result, I got bumper harvest which has helped us because we are. eating well and I am able to pay school fees with a lot of ease
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
(edited) I want to buy building materials such as sand and cement which I want to use in plastering my house. I do not have the energy to smear every month as I used to. I would want to focus my energy on other family income generating activities.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
With GD transfers, I have been able to buy two cows which are an investment for my family. With these cows, I can be able to sell them to raise money to pay school fees for my children or other family financial emergencies. If they reproduce before I sell them, I will be able to sell milk and raise some income to solve family needs. If all goes well, I will have herds of cattle which has always been my dream.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I wish to buy sand and cement which I plan to use in plastering my house. This is because the mud on the walls fall off especially during the rainy season. I feel my age cannot allow me to smear my house every month as before.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving these transfers is that I have been able to pay most of my children's school fees in time. They used to be sent home regularly because my income from casual work was not enough to keep up with paying school fees and other family needs. Since I started receiving the transfers, I have been able to settle most of therir fees balance and since second term last year, they have never been sent home for school fees again.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would want to ensure I clear school fees for my children in primary school. I would want to maintain the pace of which I started with the transfers. I want to do my best to ensure my children are in school studying so that they can get good grades and go to better secondary schools.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from how it was four months because l no longer share my house with the grandchildren and l can now say that my house is now very spacious.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to start cattle farming as l am planing to buy some goats in the next four months.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that l no longer share a house with my grandchildren as compared to before since l managed to build for them a kitchen and now ther have a very comfortable place to spend their night.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months l am planing to save some money to buy steel door since my house has wooden door and l thinking it is not more secure.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2735 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
Currently, I do not have any additional goal.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I was able to buy school requirements in time for my children, my farm is already weeded and its in good shape, we eat well and we have never gone without food since I received the transfer and the confidence of achieving my dreams has been boosted for I am sure I will receive money monthly.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I would want to buy a cow, buy steel door and plaster the floor of my house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My children have been sleeping in uncomfortable place because it's too small but since I received this transfer, I am confident that I will finally achieve it in the shortest time which I had not imagined.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
One of the biggest hardship that I have faced in my life was when I lost one of my daughters to sickness. Her death affected me psychologically to an extent that I could no do my daily chores as required and as a result could not sufficiently provide for my family's daily basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I have done all my daily activities satisfactory and therefore can have peaceful night.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planing to use the transfer in buying a dairy cow, improving my house as well as buy farm input to improve crop production.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My biggest achievement in life was ensuring that all my 7 children were able to go school even though I had little income.