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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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Newsfeed > Mary's Profile
Mary's family
Mary
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
59
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Mary's next check-in.
 
13th 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?
If it wasn't for GD, life would have been challenging in terms of raising money to meet the family's needs. Previously I only relied on casual work but it wasn't reliable leaving me in debts in most cases. I'm glad through GD I haven't been experiencing these challenges anymore because I have been able to meet most of these needs with the GD transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I bought cows with the previous transfers, unfortunately, they were stolen months later. This left me devasted because these were the only investment I had. I haven't given up yet on keeping livestock, therefore, for the next four months, I have an additional goal of saving the coming transfers and add to the transfers that my spouse will be receiving and purchase more cows for rearing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
For the past four months, I have been able to comfortably meet the family's needs especially food. This is unlike before when I could struggle to raise money for purchasing food because I only relied on casual work which was not reliable.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have saved enough money to purchase both cows and poultry for rearing. I have always considered livestock as an investment because in the future after they have given birth I'll have additional cows which I can sell in case of an emergency. In addition to that, I'll get milk from them after they have given birth. The poultry is also a good source of income and food for both family and visitors.
 
11th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 5 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 in that, I can now eat and dress well. I do not strain so much on buying these items unlike before where I had to overwork my self so as to get ends meet. For the first time after several years of turmoil and despair, I feel stress-free and healthier. I thank Give Directly for their help and support because it is very rare for someone to help random people without expecting anything in return.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to build a kitchen. Currently, I cook in an old one which leaks during the rainy seasons. This is normally hectic because I have to cook very early before it starts raining which usually inconveniences us because we end up feeling hungry before dawn. There is no bad feeling as getting hungry especially at night to make it worse, it is raining and you can't go back to the kitchen. I am happy that my family won't feel tortured anymore once I build this kitchen.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months is that I was able to eat well. Previously I could skip meals due to lack of enough money to afford meals. I feel healthier and stronger. I now have the energy to work harder and meet other needs. I feel relieved because I don't have to run up and down so as to get money for food.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect my life to change in that, I will have built a kitchen. This will prevent us from the challenges and discomfort that comes with not having one such as not being able to cook during the rainy seasons. The kitchen will also be used as a sleeping place for my children. Currently, they sleep at my relative's place. It has been inconveniencing especially when it rains and I have to escort them to rest. I have to also cook early to avoid the evening rains.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Four months ago I would sleep on an empty stomach not once not twice because of lack of a proper income. My health had deteriorated and one could think I was sick. This has changed so drastically ever since I started receiving my transfers, now I can eat all the three meals a day and even spoilt for choices of what to take all thanks to GD.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have been planning to renovate my house. Plaster the wall and the floor as well as well fix a steel door to beef up the security. I am hopeful to roll this plan as soon as I will have accumulated enough resources.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference is that I no longer sleep on an empty stomach anymore. Initially, I used to go without food on some days due to the lack of resources. This was so unpleasing and unhealthy for my old age. GD directly has enabled me to put a meal on my table every single day. This to me is a blessing that does not come every day in my life.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months what is likely to happen is, I will be healthy and good looking not malnourished like I used to look before I started receiving my transfers. I will also have gathered enough resources and hopefully will have started the renovation of my house.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I currently sleep comfortably on a bed and a high-density mattress thanks to the transfers I received from Givedirectly.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I really do not have it figured out but I am optimistic that my life will have improved.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I currently sleep comfortably thanks to GD for the new bed mattress, I eat well and I am peaceful. Initially, my nights were long because of lack of proper sleep and enough food. My life is now more interesting and less stressful like before.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I have no new goals.
 
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 a spacious house that can accommodate my family well and inadequate income for our daily upkeep.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest of my day is in the afternoon after coming back from the farm and relaxing together with my husband as we plan on what food to prepare for supper.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on expanding my house in order to accommodate my family well.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is how I saved through table banking until I got a total of Ksh 25,000 which enabled me to build this small house that we have today.