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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Newsfeed > Mary's Profile
Mary's family
Mary
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
48
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Mary's next check-in.
 
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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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 have not met my initial goal of renovating my house. I probably think it is wise to concentrate on one goal at a time to enable me to get efficient outcomes. I am still buying more iron sheets because the ones I had already bought is still not enough. My aim is to replace the old iron sheets with new ones because they are already leaking during rains.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have a lot of peace, and also my financial burden has been reduced, and this is the greatest difference in my daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer. I majorly use my transfer to pay school fees for my child who is in Secondary school. Initially, life was unbearable and because of a lot of financial stress, I kept on growing thin, my children could frequently stay out of school due to fees arrears. I want to thank Give Directly for helping us come out of poverty. I am in a position to pay school fees to me and with a lot of ease and this makes me a happy mother.
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 would be staying in a better house than the one I am currently in today. It is not easy staying in a house that leaks all-around, in fact during rainy seasons you would wish to ask for shelter from neighbours which is not possible. My major aim is to change this condition to be better, that is why I am working hard by buying iron sheets to change the situation in the next six months.
 
17th 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 used to work so hard to ensure that the management of my household is well taken care of. This meant taking more than two or even three hustles to earn an income which still was never enough to run the house. This used to leave me so exhausted but ever since I started receiving transfers this has changed, I work less only when necessary.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I am planning to replace the roof of my house. It is old and of late it has been leaking whenever it rains. This has seen my beddings and sofa cushions spoilt. This the transfers, I will purchase iron sheets and see that the roof is replaced.
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 that I have been able to construct my kitchen. I lacked resources to do this hence was forced to cook in my living room. This was always uncomfortable especially when I had visitors around. The soot was never pleasing but right now I am so happy that all the cooking has been moved to the new kitchen thanks to GD.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months hopefully, I will have managed to buy iron sheets to that the house roof is replaced and I am not being rained on anymore neither my property getting destroyed by the rainwater.
 
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?
Currently, my life is different in that I now own a kitchen. Therefore I am able to cook at anytime that I intend to unlike before cooking in my main house was hazardous to my family's health which forced me to cook early before the sunsets.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal for the next four months is to aim higher and get to my goal of replacing my grassed thatched roof into an iron sheet one. This means I intend to be disciplined with the finances I get from GiveDirectly through buying the required building materials on a monthly basis.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Previously, I have been living in a one-room house which served as a kitchen, living, and bedroom to my family. Today, I have a different story to tell because the biggest difference in my daily life for the last four months is that I have successfully built a kitchen which I have ever dreamt of. This has been enhanced by buying building materials which included iron sheets, nails, timber and paid laborers to build it using the transfers that were sent. Thanks to GiveDirectly because the kitchen serves as a bedroom for my children at night and a cooking place as well.
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 shall have fixed an iron sheet roof and replace the grassed-thatched one by buying building materials every month with the sent transfer. This is because at the moment the leaky grass thatched roof of my house is in a deplorable condition which has made it risky for our habitation.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 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 because I have been able to pay school fees for my son and kept him in school.This has seen his performance improve greatly. Initially, he has been sent home severaly because he had a big balance. This affected his performance and you could tell he was stressed.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am looking forward to building a kitchen which will double up as a room for my son. He has been spending in the living room and this does not give him privacy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have a son in form three. Paying his school fees has been a struggle given that I am a widow. Upon receiving my recent transfers, I was able to pay part of the fees. Though there is an arrear I have reduced the balance and he can stay school.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I will have bought a cow for the purpose of rearing and milking. I have always had a desire to rear a cow but I lacked resources to purchase the cow. With my transfers I will be able to bring this dream to life thanks to GD.
 
7th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Now, I do not work as hard as I used to which used to drain me so much yet I could get so little income from it.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Currently, I do not have any new or additional goal as I need to concentrate on paying school fees for my children.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I am so stress free as I can easily pay school fees for my children. I use each transfer I get to clear their school fees arrears.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I plan to stop working super hard and start up a business to generate income for my family.
 
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship was last month when my son was diagonised with cancer and had to spend much money on his treatment
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening while sharing meals with my family
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
Am planning to spend part of the transfer to pay school fees for my daughter in college. I will also renovate my house and the rest i will invest in business start-up
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My greatest achievement was last year when i was able to sell charcoal to enroll my daughter into college