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.
Stages:
 
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:
45
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($450 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?
I want to continue educating my children until they finish school. I will be able to achieve this by saving little by little from my daily income. My son who used to go to college to study as an electrician is currently at home since September due to a lack of school fees. It pains me to see him every day frustrated and unable to continue with his education.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly has been of great help to me and my family. At least my daughter is continuing with her education after I finished paying her school fees even though his brother is currently at home due to a lack of school fees. I do not have any complaints at all but I am requesting additional transfers in order to continue educating my son.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent kes. 30000 in paying school fees for my daughter who is in Palakumi Secondary and bought food for the family. I am a mother of five, three got married while two are still going to school. With the second transfer, I managed to pay kes. 20000 as school fees for my son who is in Kaloleni Secondary School, bought five goats, sufurias (cooking ware), at kes. 3000 and the remaining amount bought food for my family. I am a maize and vegetable farmer, my husband is not around, not at home he works in another city as a farmer. These transfers helped me big time and thank you so much GiveDirectly for your support
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($462 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was preparing an evening meal for my children when I heard a very loud vibration from my phone. I did not hesitate and decided to check who it could be. I was surprised and happy to learn that I had finally received my first cash transfer. I remember saying a special prayer to thank God for hearing my cry concerning my son who was to join college.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that through financial support, I was finally able to send my two sons to school. One in college pursuing a welding course and the other one in high school. Paying their fees has been a challenge for me because I am jobless, we only depend on my spouse who relies on farming activities. The little he earned could barely sustain all our basic wants like food. Therefore this has been forcing them to be on and off most of the time throughout their academic year. I was so worried about their future since their education meant a lot to me because this was the only investment that I could proudly and gladly honour them. Therefore having managed to send them back to school has restored my joy and hope in life, gratitude to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30000 of my first cash transfer on paying fees for my son who recently joined college pursuing a welding course, and another one in secondary school. I am so happy to accomplish all these because they were all at home due to the arrears. To add to that, I bought two goats worthy of KES 6000. I opted for them because they can thrive so well in my region and their pasture is readily available. This is an assurance that they will increase in number within a short period. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household needs.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better future for my children since I have wished to educate them to University. I have ever been worried of realizing this dream but with the arrival of Givedirectly to my village I am confident about fulfilling my desire. I will use KES 46000 to pay all school fees for my son in secondary school. This will give him the chance to settle in school and hence better performance.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter was blessed with a baby girl in the month of April. This brought joy to my life. My son-in-law was very happy about such blessings, he called the pastor who came to bless the girl. He extended his appreciation in a way I liked because he slaughtered chicken for me and gave me some gifts like clothes. This made me feel happy for having a caring son-in-law.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial Crisis is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing. This has forced me to engage in charcoal work to earn money that will support my children's education. This job earns me as little as KES 2000- 3000 per month, which does not fully cater to their school fees as well as sustain our basic needs like food. We sometimes seek meals or even borrow from relatives something that ashames me.