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.
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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Mary's Profile
Mary's family
Mary
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
37
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($465 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before I began receiving my transfers, I had a goal of building a new and spacious descent house. I therefore used my first transfer to buy building materials that helped me to accomplish that goal. Immeafiately l achieved that goal, I developed another goal of buying a cow. In the community where I live, cattle are considered as a sign of wealth hence they are very valuable. As a matter of fact, any family that can not own even a single cow, always find it difficult to get milk which is a very previous commodity. I am so happy that from the recent GD transfers, I currently own two heifers hence I am considered materially endowed in my community.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does so well in directly visiting potential recipients in order to evaluate their need level. Through this, the staffs were able to enroll the deserving individuals without discrimination. Consequently, the most needy got support and their lifestyle has positively changed. However, I have never observed what GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 from my most recent transfers to buy two heifers. I shall raise them to help my family get constantt milk supply in future, thus whatever cash I would have used to buy milk for the family will be diverted in paying for my children school fees. In the event there is no money to pay fees, I would consider selling one of them to raise fees for my children. Secondly, I spent KES 20,000 on buying a 2000 liters tank through which we can harvest rain water. This has in the recent relieved my family from the burden of fetching water from the dam. Lastly, I used KES 2000 to pay school fees with ease for my 3 children who are still in primary school. Previously, I used to struggle alot since I am a widow with no one to depend on for an additional support.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 11am while cooking tea in a nearby school where as a cook when I received an SMS alert on my phone. On checking it, it was KES55000 from GiveDirectly. I was very excited and knew that my dream of building a kitchen had come true.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is building a new kitchen after demolition of the previous one due my son's circumcision.As a widow, I am also grateful because my kids are now well fed and smartly dressed with the latest clothing fashion instead of the usual second clothes which could only afford.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES30000 of my recent transfer on building a new kitchen because the previous one was demolished after my son was circumcised according to the traditional Kalenjin initiation rites. I also used KES 2000 on my kids school fees, KES10000 on food and household items and KES 5000 on clothing.I normally rely on my job as a cook in order to sustain my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a single house that I use to do everything including cooking and sleeping. The house is small and cannot accommodate my growing family of 4. I am a cook at Kamaget Primary School and a salary of KES 3000 a month is not enough to enable me to build a better house. I intend to put up a house made of 24-iron sheets and 32 poles. One iron sheet costs KES 700 while a pole costs KES 100. Receiving this money will therefore mean I will be in a better position to have a decent house for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I wake up at 4:00 am and start preparing breakfast for my children. One hour later, I head to Kamaget Primary School where I work as a cook. I stay there until evening before coming back home feeling exhausted. This rest that I get to enjoy at this time makes evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Losing my husband in the year 2017 was the beginning of my current problems. Having been married to someone from a different tribe, my brothers-in-law wanted me out of my matrimonial home so that they can have a bigger size of land after subdivision. Thank God that villagers intervened and their plan did not see the light of the day. Even though they did not succeed to evict me, I still feel I am not safe here.