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 > Mary's Profile
Mary's family
Mary
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
67
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Mary'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?
These transfers for the last four months have been helpful. This is because I do not have to work twice as much to raise income to provide for my family. I used to work very hard to earn just a meager income that could hardly cover part of our basic needs such as food. Currently, we have been able to eat a balanced diet on a daily basis. I am glad that I haven't slept without a meal so far.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I do not have any new goal because I intend to save towards paying school fees for my grandchild who is in primary school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life for the next four months is the peace of mind that I have derived in giving my grandchild a quality education. I am able to pay school fees for her with ease and the best part is seeing her stay in school because she does not have any arrears that need to be settled. Therefore, she gets to stay away from bad influence in the village which was not the case before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I except to save most of these transfers in the next six months for my grandchild's high school education since she ought to join next year. Therefore, I feel it is important to start early because my main aim is to give her a quality education.
 
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Currently, my life is different in that I'm living each day happier since I no longer have to borrow money from my neighbours. This is because I settle most of my pressing needs such as food with this transfer. Before, I would borrow money from some of my close neighbours. Due to the lateness in settling these debts, it resulted in disagreements amongst us and they could avoid me when I go to their houses thinking that I am going to borrow money again. Thanks, GiveDirectly for the support as it as revived my self-esteem in the village.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new or additional goal is to save the preceding transfers in the next four months to boost my small shop retail business. I believe the money I'll get from selling these items from my shop will help me meet most of my needs without many struggles especially after two years when I shall have completed receiving my transfers from GiveDirectly.
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'm living each day happier since I no longer have to borrow money from my neighbours. This is because I settle most of my pressing needs such as food with this transfer. Before, I would borrow money from some of my close neighbours. when I had no money and there were no odd jobs to do which included mainly to cultivate my neighbour's farms. Due to the lateness in settling these debts, it lead to disagreements amongst us and some even they could avoid me when I go to their houses thinking that I am going to borrow money again.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months in that I will get enough harvest from this harvesting season. Therefore, I will store part of the harvest which will last us up to the next harvesting season. However, when I get a surplus I will sell in order to earn more income that will help me cater to my family's other needs.
 
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?
Apart from easing my struggles through borrowing and going for casual work, I have been able to pay school fees for my grandchild in time. Before the transfers, I had never paid his fees before he is sent home because my income was not enough for me to have extra money. Anytime I heard pupils from his school were sent home, I was very sure that he was sent home too. I have always wanted the best for him hence in my old age I still went ploughing in other peoples farm to raise money to pay for his school fees. Right now I feel very proud because if he is sent home it is an extreme case for I have paid most of his fees arrears. I know before the end of the year, I will have cleared all the arrears with the transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to buy school requirements for my grandchild. I have been taking care of him for the last three years and he has passion for education. I would want to help him achieve his goals. I will ensure I give him everything he needs so as to finish his education and get a well-paying job for a better future.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving these transfers is that I do not struggle anymore through casual work of ploughing for others to raise money for survival. The income from casual work has not been enough to even help me pay school fees for my grandchild. I have been forced to borrow money in most cases to pay his fees whenever he is sent home. Life has been not been easy for me. When I started receiving these transfers, I can say it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I felt a burden had been taken away from me because I no longer depend on casual work. I have managed to pay all my debts and my grandchild is rarely sent home for fees arrears as before the transfers.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I plan to pay school fees for my grandchild whom I have been taking care of since the death of his parents. He has always performed very well in education and I would like to help him achieve his goal of being a lawyer by sacrificing my pleasure so that he may have the best in education. I know one day he will come back and support me too.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Due to my medical condition, I should be taking milk every day which this money has come in very handy, I was able to build a kitchen and my grandson is not being sent away most of the time.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I would want to buy a goat as an investment for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I used to go for casual work by weeding and ploughing for other but since I strated receiving this transfer, I have never gone for casual work because I plan well with the money and has helped my life a lot.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I would want to buy a goat.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
455 KES ($5 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goals that I didn't have before receiving the transfer is buying iron sheets because my roof is very old and it leaks when it rains. I also have a plan of buying goats for rearing.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it could have been had I never received the transfer in that, I have a lot of peace because I have hope of getting money from GD monthly hence I will be able to achieve my goals.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months in that, I will have repaired my roof and I will never be rained on again.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving payments from Give Directly is that, I have a lot of hope that I will achieve my goals because I have started receiving my transfer. Secondly I am happy because I was given a new phone that enables me communicate with my family members and friends effectively.
 
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 buy food. Because of my old age its not easy for me to do labour intensive jobs to earn a living. I am now forced to depend on my grandchild who provides my basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am done with the daily house chores and my grand daughter is back from school because we tell stories and recount on the events of the day.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to construct a new kitchen since the one I have at the moment is delapidated. I also plan to buy a few goats and chicken.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is when I managed to establish my home and construct a house all by myself. My husband died long time ago and its through my own effort that I managed to achieve this.