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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Completed
Newsfeed > Mary's Profile
Mary's family
Mary
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Street trading - non-food (self-employed)
faceAge:
22
workCampaign
FSD / Urban Youth
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Mary's next check-in.
 
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($40 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 have been having this business as my main source of income for two years now and since it was my main source of income, it has not been doing well. In most cases, I have had to take loans to boost the business which has been very had to pay back with the little resources from the business. This was the only way to keep the business. Since I started receiving these transfers, I have been boosting the business on a monthly basis with my transfers and so far the business is doing well. There is increased income in terms of the profits and in case I take business resource for my personal use, I don't strain to pay it back nor does it have a major negative impact on the business unless it was a big amount. I do feel at peace because of the transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
Currently, the only goal I have is to boost my cloth business. This has been my main source of income and has really brought a lot of difference in my life because I have a constant income from the business. When I have any financial difficulty, I am able to use part of the business resource and payback when I get my transfers thanks to GD. I know by the time I conclude my transfers, the business will; be stable enough to sustain my needs well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on buying household items such as clothes and food for the family for the festive season. I had promised my children new clothes for the festive season and I did not want to fail them. Without GD transfers, I would not have promised them because maybe I would not have gotten the money. I am glad GD did not fail me and I was able to deliver on my promise. We also had good food for the festive season all because of GD transfers.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($39 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have always had a foodstuff business which has been my main source of income. I have always desired to raise it to a standard where I have a permanent premise but due to high rent for business premise and low profits, I was not able to. I had to put up with the small space and the tents where I could carry the business. So far I have not acquired a specific premise for the business but I am glad the business is doing well. The profit margin has increased because of better stock and I know when I finally acquire the place, I will be able to raise a good income for the rent and remain with some amount for savings.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
GD really did well in trusting us with the transfers. This really changed our lives. So many of us used it in the areas they felt could help earn more income for them which was very helpful for us. I do not feel there is anything GD could have done better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on paying back a loan I took from a mobile app to aid me in paying for my brother's bail who had been arrested. He needed to be bailed out but I did not have the money at hand. My parents were counting on me to help raise the money. This was the only way I could get the money through the loan app. I am glad before the interest could rise, I was able to pay back the loan with GD transfers. The rest of the transfer I used on buying food for my family. The available stock we had, had gone down and I did not want to wait till what was available is used up to I add more.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($49 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have seen a change in my life because I have been using the money to pay my rent every month without worries as it used to happen way back in the past. Before I started receiving the transfers, I could stay for almost three months without paying my rent because I never had enough money to take care of my bills but eventually all that has changed today, thanks to the transfers from Give Directly. I am also able to pay school fees for my sister effectively as opposed to how I used to struggle in the past when my kid could have arrears all the time which at times forced the teachers to send the kid back home.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My short term vision right now is to buy a second-hand popcorn maker which I intend to use to run my business. This is a new business which I intend to launch based on what I have been seeing and learning from friends who have been running such a business for the last several years. I believe that by starting out on this business, I will be able to make more profits and thereby become more stable financially going into the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the money to pay my rent which was worth 2000 KES. I also spent approximately 500 KES which I invested in my business by buying materials which I already used to process the finished cooked goods which I sell out to my customers. I then used the rest as my transport fee to my rural place where I had gone to attend to some urgent issues.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($50 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My goal is to re-open my fruit business that had failed after the first attempt that I tried to run this business.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now pay my rent on time. I no longer have to worry about confrontations with my landlord about the debts that accrue from my failure to pay rent on time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfer to pay my rent, to pay school fees for my child and also to buy some house hold items such as meals. I had initially started a fruit and fruit juice business with my first transfers here in Mathare in the month of November last year in 2018. Unfortunately the business collapsed as at times I was not able to sell all the fruits, which would end up going bad. By the time I received my second monthly transfers, my son had fallen sick and I ended up utilizing all the transfers in hospital. I then spent my January and February transfers to pay rent and to purchase household items, as I still take time to plan on how I will restart this business again.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I woke up in the morning on that day and I went to fetch water for my house, before I even checked my phone. When I got there, I found some members from other groups who were discussing about the transfers and how they had received the transfers on that day. I went back home hurriedly to check my phone and I saw the message. I was very happy and excited and I immediately started to plan how I would open up a fruit business.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to open an Mpesa shop here in my neighborhood in Kosovo, Mathare. This will allow me to stop hawking in town because I have been facing a lot of difficulties that include arrests or losing your goods to the city council and working in cold nights. Secondly, I will open a food kiosk whereby I will be making fruit juices. The demand is high because of lifestyle diseases and people want to live healthy. I will buy a blender and cups and sell in my neighborhood. Lastly, I will sell clothes for youth and children because most of them like to keep up with fashion.The place I live is densely populated thus providing a ready market for my business.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is my family. I am a single parent and I would want my son to grow up in a good environment. I have been brought up in this environment and life has been very harsh, I wouldn't want my son to engage in drugs or criminal activities. I work so hard to make ends meet so that I can provide basic needs and a better foundation for my family.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I would want to be a successful business woman in life, dealing with Real Estate. I will invest in buying properties around the country and building rental houses. This will help provide basic needs to my family, without struggling so much.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
My usual day starts at 6:00am when I wake up in the morning. I wash clothes, arrange house, make breakfast, take bath then I leave for work at 10:00am to go hawking in town. I arrive back in the house at 10:00pm. On Sunday I go to church, after coming from the church I go to work or relax at home. I also like listening to music or visiting friends.