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 > Bendera's Profile
Bendera's family
Bendera
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
35
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($448 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 am excited at the thought of possibly starting a thrift shop where I will sell second hand clothes. This will allow me to be financially stable and provide for my family in a more sustainable manner, as well as ensure that they can complete their education.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Before GiveDirectly came into my life, it's difficult to explain just how dire things were in my home. We were all sharing one bed for over two years, and further more in a house that had no roof. GiveDirectly allowed me to put a roof, fix the floor and buy a bed and mattress. GiveDirectly revolutionised my life, as it does so well for countless others. My prayer is that Givedirectly continues to help as many more people around the country.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The funds from GiveDirectly allowed me to buy three lorries of construction stones for a 2-bedroom house, along with a door as well, the house will primarily be for the kids. We currently all squeeze into a similar two-bedroom house, but I'm hoping once this one is done, more space will avail itself. The majority of the balance went to food, clothes, and paying fees for 4 of my 5 kids. 3 female goats were also added to my list of purchases, with the aim of milking them and breeding them to get a flock, that can be for sale and occasional consumption by my household. If funds are left over after construction, I intend to plasta and paint the new house. As for the school fees, I only had to factor my eldest tuition fees of $1.5, as well as that of the 2nd, and 4th born as well, which equally mount to the same amount, seeing as they all attend Wetanguo Primary school and are in Grades 3, 2 and 2 respectively. My Last born is still home. We have a 2-acre farm where we have maize and trees, waiting on the trees to grow so we can sell the wood. While they will eventually pay out, a tree costs between $5 and $10, and I'm sure we'll eventually make some money off of them. GiveDirectly has given us a great buffer financially and as such, we can focus on letting them grow and making money later on. GiveDirectly has continued to be a blessing since they entered our lives and we are eternally grateful for that.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($459 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had gone to a nearby forest to collect firewood for sale. When I arrived home, I decided to switch on my phone which I had left to charge. I got a notification and upon checking, I saw that I had received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I had never gotten such an amount before. From that moment, I knew that my family of six would have enough food and will not be struggling with the sale of firewood to feed them.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that we live in a better house at the moment. It would have taken me like a year to complete the construction but I thank God that GiveDirectly came at the time when I needed help the most. Now I got a two-roomed house with cemented floor and it gives us the comfort we need after work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I was receiving my transfer, we had built our house halfway and stopped construction due to a lack of finances. I would prioritize food and school fees whenever I saved some amount from the sale of firewood. I spent KES 35000 on buying materials for completing our house and am so happy that we have now moved in. I then spent KES 10500 on buying a bed and a mattress. For the remaining amount, I spent KES 1500 on paying school fees for my children and KES 8000 on buying foodstuffs for my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means completion of my house. I started building this house in 2020 and up to now it's not completed. When the rains started I had to use some old iron sheets to cover it. So I plan to use this money to buy the remaining iron sheets so that I can finish where is remained. By that, my family will be able to sleep peaceful and comfortable.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband works in Kilifi and I in December during the festive season I had been seeing my neighbors buying new clothes for their children. I asked my husband and he said things are hard so he can not guarantee that my children will get new clothes. So I prayed so much God to open ways. Upon his arrival, I was overjoyed to see new clothes for my children. It was a very amazing moment and I felt happy to see my children enjoying for that gift from their father.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
School fees for my children is the hardest challenge I have currently. I have four children and all of them are in school. My job in a query has never been reliable because sales are few. The little I get goes to food only. This situation has caused some of my children to remain at home for even one month sometimes. Their performance has deteriorated and yet I know they are very bright children.