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 > Mercy's Profile
Mercy's family
Mercy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
23
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is now different than how it would have been becasue, I managed to revive my kiosk business. The loss that I experienced from my clients and I was using the same capital to feed my family contributed to such. However after rcibvedbg the trasers I gave it a priority since it has been my source of income. I am glad it's now restored back to its normal state and I am getting enough profits to cater to the family's needs. Also, goats that I purchased I am assured that very soon I will have many of them and this will enable me to accomplish most of my goals
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly do well in such a way that, I was able to plan for the money according to my desires. Also, I was given the best teachings on how to keep my money safe and this helped me in avoiding theft issues. I don't see any part GD failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfers on expanding my kiosk business which I was operating in my village. This has been my major source of come for quite some time. However, I have been experiencing some challenges, especially during this global pandemic. Most people could not afford to come since they lost their jobs, also I used some of the capital to cater to my family's needs and this brought a deficit to the business. I was forced to take loans to some banks to boost the business but it reached a time I couldn't access any of the banks becasue I wasnt to paying on time. At that particular moment, I was almost closing the business and GiveDirectly came at the right time. I was able to revive it and it's running smoothly with good returns.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 1400Hrs on that day and I was at my Merry go round meeting. I heard a message come into my phone and when I checked it was the Mpesa message. I was very happy and I told no one about it. I waited for the meeting to end, after which I headed home to inform my husband. We then started to plan on how we would spend the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to expand my business and to purchase two goats.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to buy more stock for my business and I also bought two goats. My husband and I own a retail shop where we sell commodities like soap, sugar, flour; among other items. We have two children and we run this shop together. I was very happy that I could buy more stock for the business. I also bought two goats with the hope that I can make some money out of the goats in future.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means boosting my income through the small kiosk business I do. I'm planning to use 500 dollars to add more stock to my kiosk so that I can make desireble profits. I'll use a further 200 dollars to by five goats each @40 dollars.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning whenever I wake up seeing my children waking up healthy. This is a beginning of a new day and am always happy and thankful to God for the gift of life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is shortage of clean water for domestic consumption. I'm forced to walk long distances looking for water.