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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Bendera's Profile
Bendera's family
Bendera
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
33
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($427 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?
With the land I bought, I was able to plant and I believe that what I harvest will be big. Since I can't consume everything I have planted, I will be able to sell some so that it can easily help me in settling my daily expenses and help in bettering my tomorrow.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I have never seen an organization like GiveDirectly that gives you unconditional money that you neither work for it nor am I demanded to repay them back as a loan.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Ever since my husband left me with my children, life has never been easy. I am a single mother who has eight children and to be honest I have tried all means to make ends meet but my effort seems to bear no fruits. The moment I received GiveDirectly's transfers, I was really happy and thanked God so much.I bought a piece of land where I started farming. I have had a great interest in farming and I have already started planting maize and some kales which I would use for subsistence purposes and later commercially . With the remaining amount, I bought food for my children so that they can grow more healthy and happier.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($450 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I realized it was confirming the receipt of the first transfer, a message from GiveDirectly popped up on my phone, I was extremely excited. Even though I was alone at home, I could not stop myself from celebrating and thanking God for the provision. My children were at school at the time and had to wait until they returned home in the evening to tell me the news. Because one of my children had come in to assist with the collection, I was unable to collect the money that day and had to wait until the weekend when he was not in school and we went to a nearby shopping center together.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since our first transfer, a lot has changed in my family, affecting my daily life and the lives of my children. Even though I had a lot of things to do that would have raised our living standards, buying new bedding has made the biggest difference in my daily life so far. My eight children are currently sleeping on good bedding, and they are always grateful for the help we received.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother of eight children, seven of whom are currently in school. Paying their school has been difficult, but the first transfer has eased the burden. With $85, I was able to pay off all of my primary school children's debts. Foreseeing a future challenge when they reach secondary school, I spent $160 on four goats that I intend to breed and sell the offspring to pay their tuition. I also purchased two sets, one for my children and one for myself, each with a mattress for a total of $240.We had been sleeping on wretched bedding our entire lives, and we are relieved that we can now sleep on clean and comfortable bedding. I used some of the remaining funds to purchase four chickens worth $22 each, which I am raising alongside the goats and selling the eggs to cover smaller household bills. With the remainder, I purchased food for my family of nine.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means buying a piece of land for my family. My husband died five years ago and I am living in his parents piece of land. There has been a lot of conflict regarding the place I am living. I will buy one acre piece of land at a cost of KES 70000. I will also use KES 30000 to pay school fees for my children. The remaining KES 10000 will be used for food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My first born got a job at Mombasa two months ago. He has been supporting me to feed the family. The virtue of him getting a job brings happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a widow and I have a family of eight children. I do casual work which gives me very little income. I can not afford to buy food for the family and also pay school fees for my children. My family takes one meal in a day. So lack of job is the current challenge I am facing.