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 > Mercy's Profile
Mercy's family
Mercy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
27
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($306 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a strong desire to dive into vegetable farming as a means to generate income. Selling my produce to local vendors seems like a promising way to support my family of five financially. My hope is that the upcoming rainy season will be more favorable, providing the water needed for a successful crop. In about a month's time, I also plan to harvest and sell the maize I have been cultivating. This additional income will be a boost to our family's finances and be a capital contribution to vegetable farming. With optimism in my heart, I am gearing up for this new venture, hoping for a fruitful harvest and a brighter future for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The support and assistance I received from GiveDirectly have made a profound difference in my life. They have given me the stability I needed and opened up new opportunities that were once out of reach. I am deeply thankful for the positive impact these transfers have had on my family's well-being and our future prospects. I fervently hope that GiveDirectly's model continues to benefit people in similar ways in different areas.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In my family of five, we often rely on daily casual jobs, like land cultivation, to earn just $2.5, but these opportunities are scarce, and we sometimes go days without food, leaving us hungry. GiveDirectly has been a beacon of hope for us, as I used the $65 of the transfers to buy food for the entire household. Additionally, our one-room mud-walled house was on the brink of collapse after being battered by harsh winds and rains. Thankfully, the transfers came to the rescue, and I used the remainder to construct a sturdy two-room iron sheet-walled house. Now, my family has a comfortable and secure place to call home, and we no longer worry about the weather's fury.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($318 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming years and beyond, my main goal is to focus all my efforts on farming as a dependable source of income. I am particularly keen on cultivating tomatoes and vegetables for commercial purposes, as they hold promising potential for profitability. I aspire to create a thriving agricultural enterprise that will provide me with financial stability and support my family's needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GD has truly excelled by offering us lump-sum transfers, an approach I have not experienced with other organizations before. This unique method has opened our minds and empowered us to make significant investments, fostering our financial growth.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the transfers brought hope to my family of six, who had experienced a food shortage, even resulting in skipped meals due to a lack of finance to cater for the food since I normally get very low income from the irregular casual work I do in the village. Swiftly addressing our immediate needs, I purchased $100 in essential dry cereals, which include 1 sack of maize and 10 kg of beans. Recognizing the urgency to accommodate our fast growing family, I embarked on a new plan to build a spacious two-room semi-permanent house. The current one we are living in is just a one-room house. I used $160 to acquire 15 iron sheets as the starting point for this crucial construction. Taking responsibility for outstanding debts, I used $60 to clear our food debt I owed at a nearby shop, relieving me from the shame of being reminded about it every day by the owner. With a focus of ensuring food security for my family, I invested $50 in renting an acre of land close to a river, enabling irrigation for our agricultural pursuits. I also used the remaining amount to purchase farm input,maize seeds and cover essential expenses for tilling and labor during planting of this land.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($145 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My heart brimmed with joy as I received the long-awaited message, right around 3:00 p.m. At that moment, I was alone at home with my little ones, with whom I could not share the news as they were still quite young. With an urgency fueled by excitement, I quickly called my husband's number, eager to inform him about the money that had finally arrived. He had been toiling away at a casual labor job in Eldoret, and we agreed that I would withdraw the funds from a nearby store the following day. The anticipation of holding that money in my hands made the wait until then feel both long and filled with hope.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Receiving the most recent payment from GiveDirectly has brought about a significant transformation in my daily life. Previously, my family and I were burdened with borrowing from our neighbors, often resorting to going without food when no other options were available. However, thanks to the transfers, we have been able to stock up on enough food to sustain us for a considerable period of time. This plentiful household provision is undeniably the biggest difference we have experienced. It has relieved us of the constant worry of hunger and uncertainty, allowing us to focus on other aspects of our lives. Looking ahead, I am filled with hope and determination to continue making progress and building a brighter future for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the second transfer, I eagerly embarked on fulfilling my dreams and enhancing my family's well-being. Firstly, I allocated $80 to purchase a sack of maize and 12 kg of beans, ensuring that our food supply remains stable for my family of five. Recognizing the need for better living conditions, I invested $55 in acquiring five iron sheets, a crucial step towards constructing a spacious house to accommodate my growing children. To uplift their spirits, I joyfully spent $10 on new clothes for my three children, replacing their worn-out garments. Additionally, I spent $10 on kitchen utensils, bringing a refreshing change to our cooking space since we had been using old and cracked plates. Taking care of my debts responsibly, I promptly repaid a $20 loan to my understanding neighbor, who had waited for a long time while expecting the payment after the receipt of the first transfer. Finally, I saved the remaining $20 to replenish any household necessities that may be depleted in the future. This second transfer has brought us closer to our aspirations and instilled hope for a brighter future.
 
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Due to the biting drought and food shortage. We must buy food. Food is expensive, so I plan to use $100. This will sustain us for 2 months. Additionally, we'll also farm on our 1-acre piece of land. It will secure food for the coming months. Currently, we have 10 goats. We plan to add 15 more goats. That can cost $450. When we have more livestock, they can be sold during emergencies or drought periods. The house we're living in now is not in a good condition. We need to upgrade it. We'll build a new 2-roomed iron sheet house beside the one we have. The cost can be up to $400 depending on the cost of materials at that time. This means we'll have a decent place to live as a family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
What makes me happy is the start of the rainy season. This week has rained indicating better times ahead for us and our livestock. It's a joy experiencing rain again.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The hardest thing we're facing now as a family is lack of enough food. The drought brought up food shortage since we did not plant our farms. The last time we planted maize and made good harvest was in 2020. The sustained drought has made it difficult producing more food. This has really affected our ability to put food on the table, daily for our 3 children. Now we depend on casual jobs to survive. It's hard getting them. To make matters worse the cost of buying food is high. Here in the village one is paid $2.5 per days work. It's not enough to provide for us.