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
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Being at the final stages of my construction seems like a miracle to me. GiveDirecrly made it possible for the long timeline I had to reduce by almost half. The house we constructed in our household was so big that we were sure to complete it in more than one year, but after receiving the transfers, we managed to scale up the construction work - we availed all the required materials and paid labor in time to ensure that nothing at all would have slowed it down. I am glad that the support came when we really needed it and also commit us to put it in a physical project which would not have been possible if I had not received the transfer.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Enrollment in our village was a fair process - we hardly find anyone complaining over what GiveDirectly did. In my opinion, enlisting everyone without any bias was the best thing to have happened to us. Everyone who was found within the village then, having met all the guidelines we received in the first meeting was successful. The execution was well done and thanks to GiveDirectly for the great commitment not only in our village but also in the neighboring villages.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the already started construction in our household, I was looking forward to the second transfer as I needed 52 iron sheets, paints and also needed to settle the labor cost. After receiving it, I managed to spend a huge percentage on obtaining materials, managed to pay part of the labor cost, and also spare some amount which I later used on buying clothing for my children. I am grateful that the new house is in its termination stages as I have completed the most expensive parts of it. I am currently planning to obtain floor tiles as that will be the final stage of our construction.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 1pm while preparing lunch for my house construction laborers and had left my phone charging.Thats when a friend called to confirm if had received the transfers and on checking I confirmed to have received and I was very excited.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is building a permanent house within the shortest time possible. This is because GD transfers has ensured availability of adequate building materials. This wouldn't be possible because I only relied on my husband's salary to build it before and had anticipated it would take longer. I decided to build a permanent house while my kids are still young to my advantage because school fees burdens aren't much. We had desired to build a permanent house three years ago but couldn't afford.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on KES 10,000 on latest clothing fashion and school uniforms because my kid's had outgrown their school uniforms. KES 4000 was spent on a bag of maize because my maize stock was depleted. KES 45 000 was spent on purchase of additional building materials like cement, roofing materials because the transfers came in at that when we were already constructing.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a mother of 3 and I dropped out of school in the year 2012 to start a family. I have been thinking to go back to school but I lack school fees. Now that GiveDirectly transfers are here, I will use them to pay school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After lunch when I have just taken lunch, I get time to interact with my family. This is the only time when I feel great and thankful.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I dropped out of school in the year 2012 when I lacked money for school fees. After dropping out of school I decided to get married hoping to continue schooling after marrying but all on vain. I haven't gotten the chance to go back to school because school fees is still a problem to me.