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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Mariam's Profile
Mariam's family
Mariam
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
65
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I think GD should improve on the supervision so that people do not have an opportunity to misuse the transfers. Currently the monitoring procedures for the organization is quite wanting.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GD helps the poor people in the society by uplifting their status in the society. Most people have used the money to build new houses and moved away from the old and dilapidated houses they used to live in before. I think living in descent houses is a good thing because it prevents the occupants from contracting so many diseases.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used the money to set an irrigation project that I will use to irrigate my farm where I plan to start a farming project so that I can be able to get my daily bread from the business. Setting the irrigation plant alone cost around 50000 KES because it involves building a concrete poles, buying a big water tank plus getting a new generator and paying for the labor charges.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that I now can farm vegetable for both domestic and as a cash crop. This will help me generate income for my family as well as put food on my table. Before, this was not the case. The vegetables could either die due to drought or eaten up by the goats and sheep due to lack of proper fencing. This has been solved by the new tank that stores water and the strong fence to keep the animals out of the farm. My farming has improved drastically.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I saw the mpesa message indicating receipt of the first transfer I was filled with joy. I could envision how the vegetable farm would look like already. This made me so happy and restless.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I have always longed to venture into vegetable farming ever since but finances could not allow me to do proper farming. Initially, my plants used to die due to lack of water during dry seasons and goats could eat up the whole farm due to lack of proper fencing. Upon receiving my first transfers I knew that finally, my opportune time had reached to improve my vegetable farming. I bought a water tank 7000 litres and metal stands to elevate the tank. This will help me store water during dry seasons. I also bought cedar poles, barbed wire, sand, cement, ballast, and chicken link to fence my farm to prevent any animal from encroaching into my farm. The remaining amount I bought seedlings that are currently in the nursery waiting to be transplanted. I am looking forward to purchasing a water pump and sprinklers to even make my farming more efficient.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I shall be able to buy a pump for my water well. I have grown old and drawing the water from the well using a bucket and a rope is tedious, buying the water pump will help me cut on medical bills that I incur due to its current effect, I will also be able to sell water to my neighbors. Selling the water will enable me get additional money to pay fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually in the morning when I wake up to supervise my business, talking to customers makes me happy since when they come buying means I shall have something to buy food to my children and save some money for school fees.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Paying school fees to my children have been the biggest challenge since the farming business have faced a lot if set backs of late, we have had to incur changes in fertilizer prices and seeds prices too have shot up yet the prices of the farm products have remained the same.