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:
Small business
faceAge:
63
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($421 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Dairy farming is a lucrative business. My passion now is to scale up my livestock farming and tap more income for my family. This will help us a lot now that our old age can no longer allow us to work casual jobs to earn a living.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am happy with GiveDirectly's transparency during enrollment. They gave everyone equal chance to benefit from the program. We are now seeing the impact, people build houses, and other people bought food and livestock. However, other people who never qualified should also be considered.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am filled with happiness every moment I walk around my farm. I now own livestock which was my dream. When I received my second transfer I prioritized investing KES 40000 to purchase sheep and a cow. I am now confident that I will no longer struggle to put food on the table for my family of three. I will be easily selling milk and other livestock products to earn a living.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($481 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I clearly remember that day, it was the eighth around 5 pm while taking tea with my daughter and grandkids. That's when I heard a message alert on my phone, and because I am not conversant with the phone I gave the phone to my helper. And she confirmed that I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly the money I had eagerly waited for. This is because my neighbors received theirs at around 4 pm. On receiving this news I and my kids were overexcited and we couldn't stop laughing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the purchase of a water tank. This has helped me store clean rainwater fit for both household consumption and domestic use. I am grateful because I no longer struggle to get drinking water.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have worked as a fresh and sour milk vendor for the past 30 years. This has helped me to invest in savings groups from which I have bought goats which I later can be sold for a dairy cow. I am also a farmer of sukuma wiki and maize which I normally supply to school to act as fees for my kids. My major issue before GiveDirectly was the lack of clean drinking water. Therefore, when I received my transfers I spent KES 23,000 on the purchase and installation of a 2,300 liters water tank. This has helped in the storage of clean rainy water which is fit for consumption. Earlier on we used to travel long distances to get clean drinking water. This is because the water from the nearby rivers is unfit for consumption and the rivers are seasonal and dry up during long dry seasons. Additionally, I bought a solar lighting system at KES 8,000. This has helped light my house, especially during night hours. It has also helped my children do their studies comfortably at night without straining. Furthermore, I bought two mattresses and two blankets at KES 6,000. As a result, I sleep nowadays comfortably and I am grateful. Lastly, after repaying a maize debt of KES 6,000, I bought a bag of maize at KES 3,600. Though the bag is almost exhausted the remainder will help sustain my family for the next two weeks.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Life is progress and you need to plan yourself accordingly. With this, I believe rearing a dairy cow is a lifetime investment especially now that I am aged. I have been yearning to rear a dairy cow to secure future food security for my family of 4. Unfortunately, the finances could not allow me, as the profit I get from my 15 years of milk business caters for education and food for the household. With GiveDirectly transfers, my hope of owning a dairy cow has been renewed as I will be happy to purchase one with KES 35000 of the transfers.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Old age comes with several challenges, for instance, diseases and less energy. I have been sickly most of the time that makes me unproductive hence taking much of my time and money seeking treatment. I am happy now that for the past 2 weeks, I have been well and I am able to attend to my daily chores.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I collect milk from the households in the village which I use to make sour milk to earn income to support my family of 4. Unfortunately, the harsh climatic conditions here, have made it unfavourable for the crops to flourish which also cuts down on the supply of milk. This translates to fewer profits and it saddens me that I cannot meet the family needs at times.