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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Completed
Newsfeed > Benter's Profile
Benter's family
Benter
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
34
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Benter's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different because I have money to efficiently boost my business which was at some point going on a downward trajectory. I also have this idea of building a new permanent house and so far the dream has started materializing, so sooner than later the building will be in place.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have a plan of brick making which we will use to construct a new house in the future. I have already paid some deposit for the brick making exercise to commence and I am sure that very soon we will have the blocks ready for the construction process.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference brought about by this money is that I no longer have financial stress because I have my own source of income from the monthly transfers. There are occasions when the business could collapse but starting over was a problem.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My life will have changed by then because I will have a new house by then which is much spacious and bigger than what we currently have. Currently, we are forced to squeeze into this small structure which can barely accommodate the size of my family
 
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I spent the money to buy a cow which I now milk every morning and at times in the evening. This, therefore, means that I do not have to buy milk each and every day like I used to do previously, therefore, I am now able to cut down on costs and expenses for the family.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have a plan of saving some cash at the end of every month which I will eventually use to pay school fees for my children. The kids will soon be done with their current semester and when the next semester commences, I should be financially ready to pay the entire required amount.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference is that I have been able to expand my small scale business where I have been buying maize at a wholesale price and selling them at a retail price which then earns me some small profits. Initially, I used to buy only one bag which I used to sell within less than one week but right now I am able to buy at least three bags at a go.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
Currently, I live in a very small house which can barely accommodate the size of my family. My kids are also growing up and I feel it is time for them to get their own space, room, and privacy. For me to be able o get the new house in place before the end of the year, I will need to have the building materials in place so that the dream can finally become a reality.
 
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I am no longer stressed because I can now afford to take care of my personal and family needs without having to borrow from friends or beg for assistance from my husband. I make my own money which has really boosted my self-esteem. I can now stand up for myself and I am glad that I receive more respect from my family members especially my husband who showed me the complete opposite some time back when I depended on him.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I want to expand my business so that I can bring in more products and even new ones that are not sold within my area. This a guarantee for more profits as there is no competition within.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
lately, I have been enjoying the kind of respect and that I get from my husband which is because how independent I have become. Before my business became stable, I ran to my husband for every little financial assistance I needed and this irritated him more than I knew. He would most often lash out on me for no apparent reason whenever I asked for money and this stressed me out a lot. There's much more peace in our family now and my husband respects me more which has really boosted my self confidence as a woman.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
With my business currently booming, I want to take a loan and construct a new and much larger house that can comfortably house my entire family and have enough space for my business. We have many children and squeezing them in the same room makes them very uncomfortable and this is one of the biggest reasons we urgently need to enlarge the house or construct a new one.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago in that, I am not stressed of where to get money because I started my business and now I am at peace when taking care of my needs.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to build a house
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months is that I managed to start my own business hence get income which I can easily use to take care of my needs.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in the next six months in that I will be able to easily take care of my children's education.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
So far I have no new goals.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The difference is I was not able to pay my children's fees well but currently i can comfortable foot their school fees. My business is also doing better because of the ability to boast it that GD has enable me by issuing the transfers.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have less debts and as well I see my farming improving given that I will be able to purchase fertilizer and improved seedlings that will give me a bumper harvest. Besides that my children will study with less disturbance of fee breaks given that I will be at a position of settling their fees in advance. Generally I see my life being more comfortable and easier.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in life my since I started receiving this money is I will be able to pay my children school fees.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I faced in my life is when my husband was relieved of his duties and became jobless. Life was tough because we had to struggle to get food for our children and pay their school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening when am done with the activities of the day and I have gotten some cash to buy food for my family.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on cereal selling business. At the moment I operate a posho mill and in order to attract more customers and maximize profits, I believe this business will be the most ideal.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is when I started a retail shop business. In my determination, I managed to save enough money that I used to buy a piece of land and I also paid medical bills for my mother in law who was admitted in hospital.