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:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
85
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($528 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Comparing my current life with how it would have been if I had never received the transfer, I feel there is quite a big difference. Many good things are now in our household which we never had before. With the clothing we bought for the whole household, everyone is now looking good. We managed to construct a new house which we could not have constructed without the transfers and finally, we also bought a cow which sorted us out of the great struggle to buy milk which was way too expensive for us.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a very good job in our village. The left leaving everyone happy and satisfied. With the few things, I noted, Sensitization through public meetings was the best thing they did. This enabled every village member to get a clear understanding of what the project was all about and clear the air over the bad things which had earlier on been said about GiveDirectly. On the other side, I would wish to recommend an improvement in the choice of guides they are using during household visits. Most of those who were chosen were misleading and at some point could lead to some deserving members being left out of the program.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Upon receiving the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I managed to initiate several projects and see them being completed within a very short period of time. I had a great urge to construct a new house since the one I was living in was too small to accommodate the whole family. I had to buy timber, iron sheets, cement, and also sand which took at least 45000 KES of the transfer. I then decide to spend the remaining on finishing up the interior part of the house, bought furniture and also some paints.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have built a better and spacious house for my family. I depend on small scale farming to meet all my daily needs. I was not in a position to save some money to build a house. At times my children could help me to buy food and other needs. I used to live in a small mud house that could not host all my family comfortably. Whenever we had family meetings we were forced to do it outside and this was so embarrassing especially during the rainy seasons. I was also shy sometimes to welcome visitors to my house due to no space to host them. Currently, I have built a better house and I no longer feel shy to welcome anyone to my house. Whenever I have meetings we do it inside the house because of enough space. I am so much happy because I have a better and decent house for my family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so happy. I remember it was very early in the morning when I heard a message tone from my phone. I reach out to my daughter to check the message for me. She told me that it was a confirmation message from GiveDirectly that I have received a sum of 55000KES. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. I knew I would be in a position to build a house.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to built a better and spacious house for my family. We used to live in a small mud house which could not host all of us comfortably and the rest of the money I used it to buy food and clothes. I am so much grateful because GiveDirectly has changed my living standard.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a plan of buying a dairy cow when I receive this transfers.At this old age dairy farming is a good source of income for me since it does not require a lot of energy from me.My other plan is building a kitchen.My current kitchen is made of ironsheets.I am planning to build another one made of wood.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the morning hours in my farm doing a little bit of weeding.I do not spend much time there and therefore I am usually back by noon.I spend the afternoon relaxing and doing some house chores.I feel happy in the morning because it is by the grace of God that we get to see a new day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My old age is what I feel is a hardship for me.Old age has come about with two challenges;one is lonliness and the other is health challenges.I am a widow and therefore I find myself lonely.This gives me a lot to think about because I have no one to chat with and keep me busy.My joints are weak and therefore limiting my working ability whereas I am a farmer.This has reduced my income.