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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:
Teaching
faceAge:
23
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($430 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal this year is to look for a job so that I can help my husband with family responsibilities because it has not been easy for him toiling all alone to provide for us all. Getting a job means that we will also be able to put all our income together and do some meaningful projects as a family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Life has not been easy for people living in extreme poverty and majority of the family end up in the same vivacious poverty circle. Through GiveDirectly cash transfers, parents are able to take their children in school through investing in meaningful projects and businesses. What GiveDirectly does well is helping people get out of this poverty circle and empower others in future hence creation of empowered generation.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving the transfer, I had lost hope in graduating from college because I had huge fees arrears that I had no idea where I will get money to settle it. Since I was able to pay part of it with my first transfer, I spend $350 to pay the balance and thankfully, I graduated. I spend the balance to pay for a deficit of piece of land that we had purchased with half of the first transfer. I am so thankful to GiveDirectly because it made it possible for me to graduate and I can now look for job and help my husband with family responsibilities.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was looking after my cattle as I do on most mornings. At 9.10 a.m, I saw a message indicating that I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was so delighted to receive the money that I had patiently been waiting for.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Receiving this cash transfer has been such a relief. Financial instability has been a major cause of stress in my life. It is the reason that I sadly missed out on my dream of graduating with my Bachelor's degree in August because I had accumulated school fees arrears. So I couldn't hold my excitement when I received this transfer. I have cleared the arrears, and I'm on course to finally achieve my aspiration of attaining an undergraduate degree in December. I'm so grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For the past four years, I have been studying for my undergraduate degree. I, however, missed out on my graduation in August due to school fees arrears, which was demotivating. So I spent KES 40,000 of the transfer to clear the same. I also spent KES 3,000 on paying for school fees for my son so he can stay in school. Lastly, I spent KES 10,000 on foodstuff such as maize, rice, beans and sugar. I'm glad that we now have enough food for the household.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always long to establish a boutique shop. This is the passion I have been nursing. Previously I had one but it went down because I used the capital to pay for my University fees at Baraton where I was studying a bachelor of education course. I plan to open one at a nearby Chebunyo market for KES 50000. The rest of the money I will use to clear school fees arrears to enable me to graduate and realize my dream of becoming a teacher.
What is the happiest part of your day?
At the moment I am a housewife. Only engaged in doing household chores and taking care of my young children. The last born is hardly a month old. My happiest part of the day is in the afternoon. Simply because at such time I am relieved with my routine work and so it's just time to relax and babysit.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The school fees have been a big challenge. I still owe the school KES 35000. This has impeded me from making to graduation list. It has all along being a struggle. I have deferred my classes severally because of lack of school fees.