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 > Mary's Profile
Mary's family
Mary
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
40
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53075 KES ($511 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Right now, I feel my life has received new hope. I am no longer hopeless as I used to be before the transfers. This is because I never saw anything good come out of my life and I only saw trouble and struggles. I did not have a good income yet I had so many needs to cater for. I could not see a way out and I felt as if it was too much for me. Receiving these transfers changed my opinion and it changed my reasoning. Now I know if I work hard, I can change my life and solve all the struggles I have gone through.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I feel GD is doing very well in uplifting the lives of the vulnerable in the community. The fact the GD gives cash and not an item is a very critical way of helping everyone since people do not share the same problem. This was the best idea ever in reaching everyone. As for what GD does not do well, I feel so far I am satisfied with the whole process. From baraza to follow up on how the transfers were sent, I feel everything is just in the right way.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfers on paying school fees for my daughter who is a secondary school. At the time when I received the transfers, she had been sent home because of the arrears and had stayed home for 3 days as I was still looking for the money to pay. I was not at peace because her colleagues were studying in school while she was at home. I knew if she stayed home longer, her performance would have been affected yet I wanted her to get the best grades so that she can join a good public university. This is why I first paid the arrears so that she can go back to school. I also used part of the transfer to buy a cow. The cow would be a remembrance of GD and I can be able to sell it when I have a financial crisis so that I can raise money to handle the issue. I used the remaining on buying household items such as bedding and seats since the ones I had were worn out. They have been in use in the house for the last three years and I felt I needed new ones.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I feel at peace, I am healthy and strong because I bought things that I wanted for a longer time.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I feel happy and slept for some time out of joy.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on purchasing seats because I had outdated ones. I also fix a steel door for security reasons since this area is not safe. Part of the money went on beddings and mattress because I had old ones and finally bought a water tank for more storage.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to improve my house. I plan to buy sand, cement, ballast, a steel door and steel windows so that I do some renovations. With the remaining balance, I will purchase a few goats and hens for keeping.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I come back home from work. At this time, I get to relax with my family as we share a meal and stories together.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I am facing is inability to get a stable source of income to rely on. My husband and I are both casual labourers and even if we combine both of our income, it is hardly enough to sustain most of our daily needs like feeding, paying school fees or even providing decent clothing for my children.