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:
21
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?
My life has really taken a new track. Initially, I was not able to raise money to meet my personal needs as well as household expenses. I used to struggle to get customers because I lacked some equipment in my saloon. This meant that the income would also reduce.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In the next four months, I am still looking forward to purchasing more equipment for my saloon.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I received my transfers is that I have been able to boost my hairdressing business. This has seen me increase my profit margins and I am able to meet my expenses with much ease.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I am hoping to have improved my saloon and it will be where every lady will want to make her hair. This will see have more income.
 
15th 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?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago because l no longer use cash when going to the hospital as compared to before and was really inconveniencing because sometimes I did not have money and I could not be treated but now things are not the same.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to save and start a salon because that is what I am studying in the collage now and i am very sure it will do well in that I will able to get money for my basic needs.
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 l am a very happy person since I have manage to acquire my secondary certificate that I has been retained in school for so long because of the school fee arrears which I am manage to clear with the money I was getting from give directly. I also no longer use cash when I am going to the hospital for treatment I only use the insurance card which is very convenient because some times I am sick or the baby is sick and I do not have the money I just use the card and get treated.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months l would have started my own salon and getting money out of it and supporting my grandmother.
 
11th 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?
Currently, I feel that life is easy and better since I am always able to save part of my transfers and top up my college fees. My grandparents no longer bear the whole burden of raising my college fees as it was before we were enrolled to receive GiveDirectly's transfers. The prompt payment of my college fees has given me ample time to focus on my studies hence my performance has significantly improved.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My additional goal in the next four months is to start up a business of selling second-hand clothes. I shall be almost through with my college education then and this will be my first avenue to generate some money for my upkeep. Moreover, I shall be able to support my siblings in school thus relieve my grandparent's from the financial burden I have always seen them bearing for our sake.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my life in the last four months preceding the current transfer is being able to easily access medical services. This has been facilitated by the fact that I have been spending my transfers to pay for a monthly contribution of 500 KES to NHIF. I was able to save a lot of money recently when I had medical problems because I did not have to pay hospital bills when I got admitted to the hospital.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have completed my course on food and beverage. I shall thereafter apply the skills I have learned to seek formal employment and be able to support myself. Once I succeed in securing a job, I shall use part of my income to support my siblings and my grandparents.
 
8th 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?
There was a time when I was sick and my grandparents could not pay for healthcare services. I had to stay home for a week as my grandparents still look for money to take me to the hospital. I have since acquired NHIF card which will help me get quality healthcare services unlike before. Secondly, I no longer have to depend on my grandparents to support me even in my own personal effects. Things like clothes and shoes, I do buy for myself. The money I get from Give Directly, I have been able to plan well and help save myself from begging every now and again.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
After ensuring that I settled the school fees balance, I have acquired an NHIF card. This will enable me to get quality healthcare services in good hospitals at no charge. I no longer want to suffer like I did when my grandparents did not have enough money to take me to the hospital.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference since I started receiving this transfer is that I have never been sent home from school for school fees. I am a total orphan and I depend on my grandparents to pay my school fees. Since they too depend on casual work, they have not been able to settle my school fees arrears in time. I used to be sent home regularly for school fees and my grandfather would have to talk to the teachers to allow back in school as they look for the money to pay. When I started receiving these transfers, I have been able to pay school fees in time and settle the balance. I have never been sent home again for the same.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I would want to ensure I pay my NHIF monthly contributions promptly so that whenever I fall sick, I would not struggle anymore. With this, I would be able to get treatments from good hospitals at no charge. I thank Give Directly for providing this for me.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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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 join college after I cleared my high school fees and my certificate released to me after it was detained for not clearing fees.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I am hopeful that I should have cleared my college fees and continuing my studies.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Were it not for GiveDirectly,I would not have been able to join college. My high school certificate could have still been detained for not clearing.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to clear my college and get a job.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is lack of money to join college. This has demoralized me but still have hopes that I will actually get money and come out of it.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon after finishing my household chores and relaxing while making stories with my siblings.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on starting a business,that is a retail shop.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is that I managed to perform so well in the Secondary school final exam and could have wished to go to college though there was no money.