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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Mercy's Profile
Mercy's family
Mercy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
24
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($524 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had a small house that my husband built a few years ago. It was too small for all of us because my children are growing and almost approaching their teenage years. When I got transfers from GiveDirectly, I managed to construct a bigger house that now lives in. My older has is currently used for different purposes. It has doubled up as a kitchen, store for my grains and a guest house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is free and fair when conducting its operations. Everyone is given an equal chance to benefit from all their programs. I have never had about discrimination cases since they are honest and transparent. I love the fact that not everyone in my village got transfers. They selected the needy and most vulnerable people. Given a chance to manage these operations, I wouldn't have done anything differently. They were so perfect and everyone should emulate them.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on completing the house that I had started building using the first transfer. I was left with buying doors and window panes for the new house. Apart from that, I also bought a few clothes for my children. I also bought enough foodstuffs and a few household items for my family. I then bought a heifer that has now calved. I thank this organization because I couldn't have achieved all these any time soon. Through their help, I was able to meet most of my life goals within a short period of time
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that I will soon have a spacious home. I knew I would one day build another house but I did not know it would be this soon. We will now be able to sleep comfortably and avoid intruding each other's space. The one we are currently living in will sever as a sleeping room for my children or visitors.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 4.00 am when I received a notification on my phone. It was a confirmation message from Give Directly indicating that I had received my first transfers. I was so happy to because I had never gotten such amount before. I started budgeting ensuring I accounting for every single cent that had been sent to me.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a large portion of my first transfers to buy building materials. I have been planning to build a new house because the house we are currently living in is small. We have a singled room house that also serves as a kitchen. Its very uncomfortable and uneasy to live in such a place because there is no privacy between me my husband and my fast approaching teenage children. I thank God this is going to end soon after I finish constructing the new house. I thank Give Directly for my dream come through.
 
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a small house together with my spouse and children.It serves as both the kitchen and sleeping area.I have always desired to build a bigger house so that the one we live in remains as our kitchen.I also bought a piece of land a few years ago but I have not been able to put it into farm use because it is not fenced.Receiving this money therefore means that I will be able to build another house for my family and also purchase fencing materials for the piece of land and thereafter plough it.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I wake up early to perform my daily house chores then embark on working in my farm.By noon, I am back home and prepare a meal for my family.On the days that we have a good meal to share I feel so happy.There are days when food is hard to come by and it is usuallt difficult to get my young children to understand why we cannot have food
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My spouse had been unemployed for a long time but he got a job recentlyHe earns very little from it.I on the other part have no source of income and we have to fully depend on his little salary.We have not had rainfall since last year and hence our crops dried up.We therefore have to buy food ie maize.This strains us a lot financially because the commodities are expensive now due to scarcity.This is the biggest hardship I have faced