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 > Mercy's Profile
Mercy's family
Mercy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($526 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a stable reliable source of Income. I managed to buy a dairy cow and fortunately it has started producing milk. Of which l sell some milk in our local market and some for my family consumption. Since the milk has started getting me some income, my family has never gone to bed hungry. We are able to at least meet our daily needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion give directly did a very good think by giving us a non refundable money since most of the people where not in a position to refund it and this could have brought more poverty in the village. It was good that the money was being sent direct to the individual and not groups since this could have brought conflicts.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent most of the transfer to buy two dairy cows ,I thought of buying cows because it is a long term investment that I could relay on for so long and it is also a source of income to my family. Fortunately it has started producing milk, that I am selling some to the community and some for my family consumption and making profit. Since the milk has started getting me some income, my family has never gone to bed hungry. We are able to at least meet our daily needs, as compared to before when I was depending on farming alone to sustain my family which sometimes I could not even get enough produce to sustain my family. I also spent the transfer to pay school fee for my sister who was sent home for school fee arrears and yet my parents did not have any money to pay for her school fee, I am glad she is back in school learning without worrying of being sent home for the arrears.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that l am now staying in a very spacious comfortable house where do not need to worry when l have visitors.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment l received the transfer l was very happy because l was not very sure that l could get such a mount without working for it.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent most of the transfer to complete building my spacious house that l had started. The remaining balance l spent on sugarcane farming because l am sure of getting enough profit.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is going to transform my life because I will use it to finish my house that I had started building. This will make my family live in a safe and comfortable house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is at noon while having lunch with my children after school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is that I do not have a stable source of income to feed my family. I only rely on casual jobs which is not enough to provide for my family's needs such as food, clothing and school fees.