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 > Maria's Profile
Maria's family
Maria
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
82
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Maria's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 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 the way it was four months ago because for the last four months I haven't faced challenges raising money to meet the household needs. In addition, I was able to save some of the transfers and bought building materials which I have already used to construct a kitchen. I'm glad I have a decent kitchen which is safe to use for cooking.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My kitchen is currently on construction but due to my old age, I won't be able to smear it on my own. I, therefore, have an additional goal of saving the coming transfers so that I can use it to both purchase the plastering materials and pay for plastering labor.
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 the feeling of comfort. This is because I have been able to afford most of the household needs by the help of the GD transfers. This is unlike the previous situation when I couldn't afford these items because I didn't have a reliable source of income.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I'm planning to use the coming transfers to purchase plastering materials for plastering my kitchen which I'm currently constructing. I'm hopeful that in the next six months I'll have plastered the kitchen.
 
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 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 the way it would have been had I not received the transfers from Give Directly. I am now living a healthy life since we now eat all the meals in a day. I am glad that we can now afford to take a balanced diet unlike before when we would sleep hungry. I also managed to invest fully in farming. I managed to buy the necessary farm inputs and hired labour which enabled me to increase the acreage of land that was cultivated. I don't regret this decision because I finally got a bumper harvest as a result of this
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am a farmer and I entirely depend on the sales from my farm produce. That is what I use to take care of all my needs which is usually unreliable at times since it depends on how much harvest and profits I make from the sales. I don't think I would have reached this far were it not for Give Directly
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 I am now happy and peaceful because I can now afford to provide enough food for my family. I was able to buy enough maize that would last us for a while. With enough maize in the house, my family can never sleep hungry. I can always buy other food items using the money I get from casual jobs because they are cheaper compared to buying maize on a daily basis. I did a little shopping and I feel proud because my children will not sleep hungry any time soon.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
The new goal that I would wish to achieve in the next four months is to build an iron-roofed house. Currently, I am living in a grass thatched house which is usually difficult to maintain. The material that is used to maintain this kind of house has been depleted. They are usually very difficult to find in the market. I am planning to build another permanent house that is easy to maintain and will last longer
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Four months ago, I had a lot of financial commitment hence I was financially stressed. At the moment, with the monthly transfers and the wages I have been getting from casual jobs, I have begun feeling at peace thus I am not stressed financially. I am therefore able to obtain food easily. As a result, I am currently feeling a big difference in my life.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, my new goal is to build a kitchen. In our culture, every woman ought to have a kitchen although, due to hardship in life I do not have one. I shall, therefore, save part of my transfers and purchase iron sheets for building a new kitchen 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 in the last four months preceding the current transfers is an improvement in my lifestyle. From the monthly transfers, I have been eating well although I do not have formal employment. I have also been using the transfers to buy other household items such as utensils which I did not have. Currently, I have enough utensils thus I do not need to borrow from my neighbors when I have visitors.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to own a medium size and a decent kitchen. Currently, I do not have one and I have been cooking outside, in an open place. When my Kitchen will be built, I shall be a happy woman since this will restore my dignity in the village where I reside.
 
8th 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?
My life is currently different from the way it was four months ago in that I have been to meet the family needs without challenges. This has made proud and given peace.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
For the next four months of my life, I have an additional goal of saving some money for constructing a new kitchen to replace the current old kitchen.
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 last four months preceding the current transfer is the peace I have knowing that at the end of the month I'll get some money. This has enabled me to meet the familly needs without challenges.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have constructed a new decent kitchen because the current kitchen is almost falling.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference I have in my daily life is that I am at ease when I receive this money. I do not have to bag my brother to send me some money for upkeep.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months,my life will have changed for the better. I never get worried of where to get money for my upkeep or even that to take my son to the hospital.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different in that I always have enough to eat and my son is also able to attend his psycho therapy. Were it not for this money,I am not sure if he would be attending these clinics.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to start planning for the next farming season.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I face is lack of money to provide food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when I am done with household chores and I find time to share stories with friends.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer in starting a retail shop business whereby ill be selling consumables.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is when I was able to save money and bought furniture for my house.