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:
Raising livestock
faceAge:
41
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($518 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My children have gone to school something I did not know would happen. Most of the villagers though my children would end up being school dropouts but my faith in God through GD I have seen the door open up where there seemed to be no way. I may not have improved my house but the fact that my children as able to go to school with no arrears and when they come home they find food is enough to make a happy parent. My priority, for now, is to educate my children something that I was not privileged to get.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I think it is impactful and beneficial to most of the people who have received the cash. Living standards have improved and many have been empowered to reach their goals. I sincerely cannot record any bad intention all I see is goodness.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Upon receiving my second transfer, I paid school fees for my children in primary school. One of my son was joining high school and these transfers helped me to facilitate his enrolment process and also paying his school fees which I paid upfront for two years meaning I will revisit his school fee come next year when it will be due. Besides school fees for my children, I also bought them new school uniforms and with the remaining amount I did shopping for my household.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life so far is the fact that I sent back my children to school and cleared their huge fee balances after staying home for weeks. This has really been a bother to me because I had sold out all my assets so I can get school fees for my children. I had nothing to do, and one of my sons decided to drop out of school. That was the worst moment of my life. I was afraid they would all drop out and that would forever haunt me as their parent. The coming of GiveDirectly in my life changed the whole story because I managed to send them back to school and they are continuing with their studies like the rest. I am glad that the money came in good time because they were approaching their final exams and missing any of them would have forced them to repeat which would be more expensive. I am so grateful to this organization because I now have hopes that my children will have a bright future.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am, I had started doing my daily house chores when I heard one of my children calling my name. She seemed so excited and I couldn't get it at first. Moments later, I realized she had read the message GiveDirectly had sent me. I was overwhelmed with joy and enthusiasm when I finally heard the news.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as building poles, some pieces of iron sheets, nails and timber. I was planning to construct a new house since the previous one was very small with old roofing sheets. It was really stressful whenever it rained since water could seep through and we would be forced to stand still till the rains stop. I later paid school fees for my children who are in college and in secondary school. One of my sons was to sit for his final exams and I was so sure he was going to miss it because he had sent home the previous week and I had no hopes of getting the required amount within that period. I am so grateful because the money came in good time. I spent the remaining amount of money to buy enough foodstuffs for, my family and some other household items such as chairs and utensils.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Imagine living in a tiny, grass-thatched, single-roomed house with all your 7 children!! This has been a very horrible moment to me and my 4 elderly children are forced to seek refuge in a neighbor's house. I have wished to construct a decent one but I have never fulfilled this due to inadequate finances. Therefore, a respectable house for my family is what receiving this money means to me since I am planning to spend $300 to build a spacious house for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day because waking up healthy with my family and meeting my children after they come from my neighbor's house after missing them all night gives me joy. I always thank God for the new day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Failure to meet my inner desire of owning a respectable house for my family has been my biggest challenge in my life. My family depends on a small scale poultry farming, an activity that earns me the utmost $35 dollars per month. This income is normally spent on food and paying the school fees for my 2 children, one in the university and the other is in secondary school. I always remain with no coin for other needs like constructing a decent house this, something that has lowered my self-esteem because I always feel unrespected like others with spacious houses in the village.