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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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Mercy's Profile
Mercy's family
Mercy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
28
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($442 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the moment, I have a new goal to expand the current livestock farming I had been running. After buying a dairy cow with the second transfer, I expect an increase in milk production from my cows. Alongside dairy farming, I had been growing my savings that will boost the purchase of sheep in my new goal. This project will ensure an uncomplicated payment of school fees since they will be at the secondary level in a year.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly's work and the support we received were so helpful in numerous ways that most families are currently living a better life. Many constructed new houses and others cleared their children's school fees after receiving the money. They did everything well, and I wish the program would be back to the village after completing the other they are yet to finish. I saw nothing wrong with the entire process and am thankful I was part of the beneficiaries.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After investing part of the first transfer on a dairy cow that is currently lactating, I saw it great to further used part of the second transfer to buy another one to increase the amount of milk produced. I was fortunate to get a good breed of eight months in-calf at KES 45000 from the market. With the lactating cow, I have been saving in bits and hope the two will increase income from the sale of milk, thus more savings. I later spent the remaining amount on foodstuff for my family of five and also bought new pairs of clothes for my three children. I am grateful for the support that has transformed my household greatly.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was almost 6 am and I had not woken up. Suddenly, I heard my phone ringing notifying me of an incoming new message. I reached out for it to check what the SMS was all about. I was surprised when I found out that it was a mobile money SMS saying that I had received KES 55000 that GiveDirectly had promised us. I was so happy that I jumped out of my bed with joy. I could not believe that I had received such a huge sum of money in my mobile money account and thus I found myself having woken up earlier than usual. I then called my husband who was away at work and I informed him the good news. He was so happy too and we thanked God for everything.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer has brought a very big difference in our lives as a family. This is because, with the cow that we bought, we no longer incur the cost of buying milk like before. The children are also happy because they have enough milk for their consumption. Other than that, we also managed to buy a few bags of maize that is going to push us for a while. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for supporting us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We spent KES 46000 of our recent transfer on buying a cow that came with its calf. We bought it because we didn't have a source of milk. We have thus been incurring the cost of buying milk where we are usually supplied with a liter every day at KES 50 and we pay for it at the end of the month. One liter of milk is little and hence our children have been suffering due to a lack of milk for their consumption. We have been meaning to buy a cow but due to a lack of money, we have not been in a position to. I usually rear chickens and sell eggs to earn some income for buying essential household items such as sugar, milk, etc. My husband on the other end is casually employed as a driver. The money that he gets paid, most of it usually goes to the payment of school fees for our three children and buying foodstuffs such as maize and milk. It has thus been hard to do other developments. Other than the cow, we also spent KES 6800 on buying two bags of maize for our consumption, and with the remaining transfer amount, we used on buying some clothes for the children.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Farming is the main economic activity in our area . Unlike crop and livestock farming which has been greatly affected by diseases and droughts, poultry farming has been a source of food and income during these difficult times. Receiving this money means expansion of poultry farming and hence more revenues.This money will facilitate the purchase of 15 hens , a wire mesh and other building materials for the chicken coop.With KES 30000 I will be able to do this.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The love and the support my husband has for the family have given me joy in the past 6 months.My husband works as a taxi driver in Narok and always ensures that my three children are fully provided for.His provision is in terms of stationary, clothing, food and good shelter .This makes me happy as a mother because my children are happy too.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food shortage and insecurity is the biggest challenge am currently facing . We depend on crop and livestock farming as our main source of livelihood.Unfortunately this has been affected by prolonged period of drought ,pest and disease invasion resulting to low yields.As a result we depend on purchased maize in order to have our staple meal.This is acquired at low volumes due to little incomes from the casual works we do. Therefore hunger affects our health and productivity.