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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.
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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:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
24
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES
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 would be to expand my dairy cow project and poultry farming to a larger one. This would be sustainable and we would be able to uplift our living standards. To realise this goal, I intend to save the money that I would be getting from selling milk. Thereafter, investing it by buying more cows. I am optimistic that with time, I would be able to achieve his goal.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am very grateful for the support that uplifted the lives of the people in our community. It has uplifted my life tremendously because I was able to achieve my dream of buying a dairy cow which would earn us extra income. Throughout my interaction with the program, I did not experience any loophole.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The greatest milestone that we achieved was when we bought a dairy cow with our initial transfer. Though, the only challenge that we had was that we needed to build a feed storage room. This was meant to store feeds that would last for a longer period. Upon receiving my second transfer, my husband and I, therefore, agreed to spend our money on building a feed storage house worth $300. This was not possible before because my husband and I depend on consistent farming and what we earn is only enough to fend for ourselves and our child. Additionally, I stocked enough foodstuffs with the remaining amount. I am so happy and grateful for the support that uplifted my living standards amazingly.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As a farmer, I have always relied on rainfed agriculture, which never performed well in the past. As a result, I had to fight hard to meet my family's basic needs, such as food. I was broke on the day the transfers were sent, so I was just imagining where I would get money to buy them food. I immediately confirmed my transfer, and I felt so good and happy because I knew I would be rescued from my never-ending struggle. Bening, unable to contain my joy, I informed my spouse because we had initially agreed that our transfer would allow us to purchase two calves. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their assistance.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
What I count as the biggest positive change in my life is owning two calves. In my life, I had never raised any cow although I had been longing for that. Being in a state of not having any livestock, I was always regarded as a person of the lowest status in my community. Some community members were always looking down upon me especially my extended family because I always depended on them to get milk for my children. I am glad because in a span of one year, hopefully, my cows will be mature enough to produce milk.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 on two calves immediately after receiving my first transfer. The livestock purchased will greatly assist me in the future in obtaining free milk, which my family will sell to subsidize the needs of my three-person family. Because my husband has an eye problem, we spent KES 8,000 to cover his check-up fee, and I am pleased to report that he has improved. The money came in handy because we were struggling financially, and my husband has been costly since he has gone for a check-up every six months since 2019. The remainder of the transfer aided us in purchasing food and clothing.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I took a break from teaching in September 2021 to concentrate on supporting my husband in raising the family through livestock keeping. We inherited 2 dairy cattle from my parents in law, an investment that has assisted a long way in upkeeping the family of 3. It has always been my wish to venture into commercial dairy farming but finances have not allowed me to since my family depends solely on subsistence farming for provision. It is a sigh of relief now with Givedirectly's transfers as I intent to use KES 30000 to purchase 2 heifers for milk production later. I will be glad that my family will be food secure as well as have a source of income to support other family needs such as education, food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Getting the blessings of a child is not always a guarantee. I have always been praying to God for this blessing and I am glad that this came to pass. In April 2022, I gave birth a baby girl , a situation that has been my daily inspiration and happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is a challenge I am currently facing as my family of 3 depends on farming for support. At times I wish to cultivate an extra farm but finances have barred me hence less produce on the 1acre land I currently cultivate. I am disappointed that I have to purchase food once the we deplete to harvests despite less finances.