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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:
Small business
faceAge:
26
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
48200 KES ($467 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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What did you spend your third transfer on?
I spent my third transfer on buying building materials that I used to build my own compound as required of me by traditions. I have moved out of my grandfather's homestead. I also bought sheep that I am rearing. These are like assets. I am so happy when I hear of GiveDirectly. ***laughs.** as they have made me move a step forward. I never knew I could have my home given that I did not have the money to buy anything.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time 7 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
We spent our second transfer to construct a new house and start a new home where we have enough space to do farming and keep livestock. The remaining amount was spent by my spouse to buy two cows that were used to pay my bride price.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is moving into my own compound in a new house. It gives me so much peace and my children have a place where they can also play.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
10000 KES ($96 USD)
access_time 7 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to buy iron sheets that I am planning to use to build a bigger house. At the moment I stay in a single room and its quite squeezed.I want to build a three roomed house. I also spent some to buy school uniforms for my children.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so happy when I saw the Mpesa message. It was actually a dream come true as I never thought it would be.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 7 years ago
 
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evenings, when we are having supper together as a family.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
Our first plan is to use part of the transfer to buy a sewing machine for my husband, since he's a trained tailor, to boost our family income. Secondly, we plan to use another part of the transfer to build a new house in our piece of land, so that we have our own home. Lastly, we plan to use the remaining amount to buy four sheep as family's investment.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
Having built this our house , with savings from our small business, is the achievement we are very proud of, because we used to stay in a grass-thatched house that used to leak when it was raining.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we have faced is, providing food for our family, because of inadequate income.