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:
Small business
workCampaign
Kenya Basic Income
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Bendera's next check-in.
 
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 22 days ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My desire has been building a 2-roomed house which I feel am on the way to achieving it since I have now been successfully able to buy 24 iron sheets as part of the main materials that I needed for the construction, with a few transfers to come I believe I will successfully achieve my goal.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Through the organization's transfer, I have been able to join a merry-go-round, that has made me achieve things within a shorter period than what I expected. I normally save $10 every month, luckily enough this quarter I was among those who received a good amount of money, which I used to buy 2 goats at once worth $60 knowing that it was my plan of investment. Additionally, with thoughts of my children settling into school and focusing on their studies, I used $30 off the quarterly transfer to clear their school fees debts, since I don't wish to see my children burning charcoal as I do in the future. "where I did not reach I would wish my children to get there and even go beyond" knowing that I will also be relieved when they succeed. Since my hustle could not provide adequately to my family I used the rest of the transfer to buy food for my family.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year and beyond, my goals include acquiring livestock and building a decent house for my family. After my main house collapsed, I erected a temporary one-room shelter where my six children and I currently reside. However, its conditions are far from ideal for accommodation. I aspire to build a new house with two rooms, featuring a tin roof and mud walls. Additionally, I plan to expand my livestock holdings. Currently, I have four goats, two of which I obtained through the cash transfers. The goal is for them to reproduce, grow the herd, and eventually exchange them for cows in the future. This strategy would provide funds for my children's education even after the cash transfers cease.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Over the past three months, my focus has been on obtaining birth certificates for my six children. The financial support from the cash transfers has been instrumental in covering the transportation costs to and from the registration office, amounting to $12. This assistance has allowed three of my children to acquire their birth certificates. Additionally, there were instances when our food supplies were depleted, leaving us without meals for nearly two days. To address this, I allocated $49 from the funds to purchase food, providing sustenance until my husband, working as a herdsman, could contribute. His income is sometimes unpredictable, making the cash transfers a valuable supplement. I also invested $20 in plowing one acre of land in preparation for the ongoing rains. Moreover, I settled a debt of $6 for two of my children who had faced challenges staying in school and used the remaining funds to buy books for them.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I wish to construct a decent house for my family. The current house we shelter under is damaged, with one of its walls collapsing, leaving a hole in the house. However, the income generated from my work as a charcoal burner and my husband's occupation as a herdsman is insufficient to cover the expenses of constructing a house, especially considering the high costs involved. To build the new house, I have already acquired some iron sheets and plan to set aside a portion of future cash transfers to purchase additional building materials required to complete the structure.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the cash transfers, I was facing various pressing needs within my family. My son in junior secondary school required additional books and a new set of uniforms, which my husband and I couldn't afford at the time. Thankfully, I was able to allocate $12 toward purchasing new uniforms and $3.5 to buy the necessary books for him. Furthermore, my other two children had been consistently sent home from school due to unpaid fees, accumulating debts over time. To resolve this, I used $10 from the transfers to settle the outstanding fees. Since then, they have not faced any more disruptions in their education, which brings me much relief. Additionally, I used $5 to have someone weed for my crops and used the remaining funds to buy more food. These cash transfers have truly been a lifeline for my family, enabling us to afford essential items and address challenges that would have otherwise been overwhelming. I am grateful that my children can continue their studies without major interruptions, thanks to the support provided by the cash aid.
 
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 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 living with my spouse and 6 children in a small and almost open-roof grass-thatched house that is about to collapse. The situation is worse in recent days because of the cold nights that experience. In the coming year and beyond, I intend to construct a decent, two-roomed, iron-roofed house for the family. Moreover, our 5 children are still in primary school and I am planning to support their education by making sure I pay their fees on time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $5 of the most recent transfer to buy my daughter a new outfit so that she would also appear presentable over the festive season like other kids. I spent $20 on a variety of food items for my household during the holiday season. We were able to celebrate Christmas with a lot of dignity, and we owe this to GiveDirectly. I'm glad that my kids were able to eat enough food to fulfill their lifelong desires. In addition, four of my sons had reached the age required for circumcision, which is a tradition. I so paid $20 for the surgery. Ever since I got enrolled in the program, I have been saving $4.5 a month, which makes me happy and proud. My goal is to build a business with my shares in order to increase the income I receive for my family. In order to invest my shares in the most profitable company, I am doing research on it so that I do not make any mistakes. Our primary source of income is the selling of charcoal, but the $6 we make from it each month is insufficient to support the seven of us in the family. If all goes according to plan and I invest in a business, our household income should increase.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has not done anything that is not good because the organisation has generally uplifted our living standards. Currently, every household has livestock, our children are also in school whereby before then, a good number of them had dropped out.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my recent on paying school fees of KES 1500 for my three children who are in grades six, four and three respectively. They have always been sent home because of the financial hardship that I was undergoing, I could hardly settle the arrears on time. It is my pleasure to see them studying without any difficulties. I am hopeful that their future shall be brighter. To add to that, I have two chickens at KES 600 which I trust will multiply within a short period. I feel relieved because I have assets to lean on in case of any emergency. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuff and other household items like washing soap, and body oil.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
We were having financial difficulties as a family the day before the transfer date. Our children were sent home, and we did not even have a single scent to pay their fees. That was so upsetting to me. However, I was so excited to learn that my transfer had been sent. It was late at night, and I had nothing important on my mind. That day is going to be memorable in my life because I had never received such help in my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
With the help of my recent transfer, I was able to pay off part of my children's fees and they are currently learning comfortably. This has left a positive mark on my life since my children have not stayed longer at home like it used to happen before. As a result, I have been relieved from my financial stress. I am so happy and grateful to GiveDirectly for enrolling me in its program.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Immediately after I received my transfer, I spent 600 on paying fees for my three children. All of them are in primary school. Both my husband and I do not have a source of livelihood except that he looks after cattle for one of our community members at a small fee. Whatever wages he earns are too low to support our children's education. I also spent the rest of the transfer on buying food. As a result, we experienced some financial relief. Without that transfer, I cannot imagine how I would have raised school fees in the current hard economic times.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My family of 8 is going through hardships. Taking three meals a day is not a normal routine because we only depend on my spouse who works as a casual labourer in the village. He only earns peanuts which can not cater for all our needs. Receiving this money from GiveDirectly would mean that my family will have a reliable source of income for the basic needs such as food and clothes. I will also spend 1000 KES per month to pay school fees for my three children. This would enable them concentrate on their studies in school. I also have plans to be saving money on monthly basis so that I buy 3 goats in five months time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last term my son who was in grade five posted good performance and he was among the best students in his class. He was awarded two textbooks by his teachers. This made me so happy and proud of him.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My three children who are in primary school lack school fees and they are most of the time out of school. This has resulted to poor performance among them. There's also lack of food which has been attributed to the harsh climate conditions in the region affecting subsistence farming which used to be my main occupation.