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Benard

Country:

kenya

Occupation:

Other

Age:

Campaign

Kenya Standard Remote

Upcoming Stage

Next Payment

Follow to be updated on Benard's next check-in.

Initial Payment

Transfer Amount

55000 KES ($443 USD)

2 months ago

Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?

My neighbours and I had attended a public participation meeting at the county office the day we received our transfers. Suddenly, I heard a message tone. I was not the only one who heard the message buzz. When I checked the source of the message, it surprised me to discover that I had received funds from GiveDirectly. Since the meeting was still in progress, my neighbour and I exchanged smiles. After the meeting, I went straight home, where I informed my wife. She was also overjoyed. We then started thinking about how we were going to spend our money.

Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.

The most substantial change in my daily life is that I am now able to purchase a dairy cow. This means that in a few months, I'll be able to save the money I used to spend on milk. Second, a heavy burden was lifted from my shoulders because I cleared up a pending debt. I'm happy and fulfilled with the accomplishments I've made.

What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?

My wife is a farmer, and I work as a cook at a nearby school. We have four kids. My desire to own a dairy cow was rekindled when I was assured that I would receive my transfer. I had previously been unable to purchase one due to the financial constraints imposed by school fees. When I received my money, I spent $200 on a cow. I then paid off a $200 debt that had accumulated over time. Finally, I paid a $55 debt. The help has miraculously lifted my life from where it was to a higher level, for which I am grateful.

Enrolled

4 months ago

What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?

My homestead sits on a 0.5-acre piece of land and that means I have no space for any agricultural activity. I work as a cook at Kimatisio secondary school where I earn $50 every month. This money is not enough to pay school fees for my 3 children leave alone buy a piece of land. I desire to expand my piece of land to allow for more space for farming. I intend to spend $800 to buy 0.2 acres from my neighbor so that I can grow cabbages. I like cabbages because schools buy them at good prices of $0.2 per piece. This will enable me easily raise school fees for my children

What is the happiest part of your day?

Two weeks ago schools closed for the December holidays. My son Brian emerged position two in his class and I was happy to receive the news. His dream is to join prestigious Tenwek high school and I also share the same dream.

What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?

Lack of job opportunities has put my family in a financial crisis. I was recently employed to work as a cook in a nearby secondary school where I am earning $50 every month. I have three Children in Kapkwen Academy where I am required to pay $45 school fees for every child every academic term. Raising school fees is a big challenge because what I earn is less than what the school expects of me. Right now I owe the school arrears amounting to $100 and they wrote me a note telling me that my children should not report to school until I clear. This has caused me a lot of stress to a point that I have lost my appetite.