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:
House construction
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the moment, I have no new goal after spending the first and the second transfer on all that I had planned. I am grateful and working to ensure that all that I established will keep growing for the benefit of my household.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Giving us support in form of cash was a well-thought idea that everyone in the village praises GiveDirectly for. This gave me a chance to address all the pain points in my household, and I believe it was the case in every other household within the village. It is my wish that every other organization that gives out support should learn from this, give out their help, and allow people to spend on all they would wish to spend on. I have nothing negative about all that transpired from the enrollment to the last transfer but am grateful for everything that I had been able to do.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I already had a dairy cow when I received the second transfer that would always provide enough milk for my family at its peak. The problem would always come in at its dry periods where I had to spend a lot in buying from the neighborhood until in calves down again so that we could start enjoying another season of plentiful supply. KES 25000 out of the second transfer had to yield another cow that I hope to alternate their breeding seasons to ensure a continuous supply of milk and cut the expenses that we could have used when we don't have. I spent KES 10000 out of the remaining amount on obtaining a donkey that has been helpful as a means of transport especially while fetching water from a distant river. I also purchased a sack of maize at KES 3000 meant for the household foodstuff and the remaining on obtaining new pairs of clothing for my family of five.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My heart was filled with joy the moment I received my transfer. I am a house wife and my spouse depends on casual jobs at the construction sites in Mombasa. It has always been a struggle to meet our daily needs on time as he also have to pay for his house rent. Receiving the transfer meant a financial break through for my family. It gave me hope that I would finally be able to build a more spacious house something that had seemed luxarious to me before.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My daily life is much better after receiving the transfer. This is because I have been able to build a more spacious house for my family. Before receiving the transfer, I used to live in a small one room house and my children had to sleep at my neighbors kitchen who is also my relative. Doing everything like cooking, sleeping and sitting in the same room where other activities are taking place is so demoralizing especially when having visitors. Building a bigger house has enhanced my self esteem and I am also glad that my children will now be sleeping at home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving the transfer, I used to live in a small grass-thatched house. My privacy had been limited since the room acted as a kitchen, sitting and a bedroom at the same time. Due to this, my children used to sleep in my one of my in-laws kitchen. When I received my transfer, I spent around $400 to build a more spacious house. With this, we will at least enjoy some privacy and my children will also sleep at home. My son sat for his final primary school examinations last year and was joining high school. He had been called to join a performing boarding school since he had passed well but since I knew that I would not afford paying for his school fees after receiving my two transfers from GiveDirectly, I decided to take him to the nearest day school. My transfers came in handy as I was able to spend $100 to pay for his fees. Using the remaining $47, I bought some food for my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Sleeping in the same small hut with my 3 grown children does not provide the privacy and dignity we deserve among ourselves. Receiving this money will enable me to build a new house with sufficient space for me and my husband while the old one accommodates my children. With this I estimate to cost around $300. I will spend another $200 from the remaining amount from the first transfer to buy a dairy cow to provide food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have a small garden with beans and sweet potatoes which I mainly use for subsistence. My mornings are usually is spent cultivating in this farm, which is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a small farmer relying on my five chicken to earn a source of income through the sale of eggs. For a long time, I have desired to build a second house to accommodate my husband and I, including 2 of our children separately. The income I get from my chicken only takes care of small household needs with nothing to save. Since I cannot sleep in the same roof with my husband and grown up daughter, she goes over to my neighbor's house to sleep. This is a big worry for me knowing the risks my girl is exposed to every night trekking the village, problems I would have solved if I had money to build another house.