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 > Mercy's Profile
Mercy's family
Mercy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
33
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Mercy's next check-in.
 
23rd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to finish building my house up by plastering floor. I already finished building all other areas of the building and only the floor is remaining.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily is that I am independent. I no longer pester my spouse to send money for our daily needs as before. The transfers that remain after I save helps me buy the daily necessities. I am also a proud owner of three sheep. I was able to save some part of the monthly transfers and when I had enough, I I bought the sheep. I am glad one has already given birth and I am currently milking it for our use. I am happy and grateful.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My expectation in the near future is to be living in a decent house. I was able to build a new house and the only thing remaining is to plaster the floor. Having a house with a plastered floor reduces the risks associated with dust. It is also more easy to clean a cemented floor. I also want to be financially ready by saving for my children's education. Two of my children will be joining high school next year and I want to start preparing by working hard and saving enough money for them
 
20th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I don't have a new goal but to complete the house construction and also to repay the loan to the last coin. I will do this by using the transfers that will be coming in the next four months.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference is the home improvement that I have achieved using the transfers. I took a loan from a microfinance company in my village and used I to buy timber for my kitchen construction. It is now in use and has saved me a lot from the hustle of long distances of having to search for and eventually buy.it.it was hectic and expansive to maintain and dirty and muddy kitchen. I am so glad that I no have a decent one.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have completed my home improvement. I will have plastered the floor of the main house. I will also have bought a dairy cow. I will sell the two that I have, on this project I will not have to use the transfers . The transfers will help me to establish a fodder crop for my livestock. I will spend the money on growing Napier grass to ensure that I can feed my cattle sufficiently. In the next six months, I will have half an acre farm of Napier grass and other fodder crops.
 
16th 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?
Access to microfinance loans is one of the very difficulties in my life that I have overcome. I had needed a loan for a long time that would start me off in poultry farming. Because I had a constant source of income form the transfers, for the first time ever, I took a loan in April and this was another dream that came through. I then used it to build a poultry structure that will house my chicken. The house is almost complete. I also bought chicken to add to the number that I had. I am very happy to have managed to start the project because it is a good source of money.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to invest in layers only. I will concentrate on egg production therefore, my income will increase. I want to be a reliable supplier of eggs to the local market.
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 an increase in income because I started a poultry project. I bought about 15 chicken from the money received and now I collect eggs that give me kes 100 per day. This has been useful in meeting the needs of my household. I also use it to buy their feeds. Other than the crop farming that I practice, I now have another income from the poultry keeping that I will keep expanding it to make sure that I reap highly from the current good egg market.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I intend to buy a motorcycle and run a taxi business. My poultry farming will be huge by then and I will use the income to buy the motorcycle. I have seen one of my neighbors turn his fortunes by using a poultry project to acquire a motorcycle and this is that I will also do in the next six months.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is different from how it used to be because i now dress well and i am more healthy since i do not overwork my body like i used to do. I feel more happy.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Yes i do, i want to have a cow before of the end of the four. we have planned to have a group so that we can contribute to one another at a time.
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 i no longer have overwork and my focus is now on improving my farming and concentrating on it since i do not have to go and work outside like i used to do.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect that in the next six months i want to be owning a herd of cows and that we will be financially better as a family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
455 KES ($4 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to start poultry farming.I will use the money i receive to buy the chicken i need to start it.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is that in that i have hired someone to help me with farm work so that i can be completing it good time .This will enable me to maximize the little rain we get here to plant my crops and hence beat the effects of erratic weather.It will enable me to get better yields from my farm and defeat hunger.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months i will have started getting high produce from the farm.I will no longer have a food problem.then i will have started building a kitchen.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that i have a good plan for my life.I am hopeful everyday and looking forward to receiving the next transfer
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is raising money for ceserian delivery for my three kids, the fourth one was not successful though and I lost the kid.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when my children and back from school safely.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on completing the construction of my house.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement am most proudest of is managing to educating my two kids who are in primary school until this point. One is in standard five and the other in baby class.