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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.
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Newsfeed > Benson's Profile
Benson's family
Benson
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
36
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Benson's next check-in.
 
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
In four months’ time, my new goal for my life is to venture into the business of buying and selling milk. This is one of the businesses that do well in our region and also a manageable practice. Through this, I am very sure that the returns would be good for me and also help maintain my family.
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 the transfers have given me a break from daily attending people’s farms in search of casual jobs. The work is time-consuming and the pay is so meager. Receiving the transfers gave me the freedom of mind to even think through and venture into farming on a large scale. However, how much I would go for casual work, I would spare some time to work on my own and for sure my hope is that in the near future, I would completely away from offering casual labor.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In six months’ time, I expect to have already begun supplying milk in my village. As noted earlier, this is one business that does well in our region and I am sure when it has picked, I will be able to sustain myself and even my family when the transfers from GiveDirectly have come to an end. I also hope that the business will also be an eye-opener to other business that I should plan to venture in them as well.
 
12th 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 from how it was four months ago in that I no longer do much of the casual jobs in the village but rather devote much of my time in my own farm. Before I used to work for many hours and the payment was so small. This was making me not to have time for my own work. Currently, I do horticulture farming and I earn an income through this work. I am so much grateful for the support it has changed our living standard.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal for the next four months is to save the money from the sales of my farm produce to enable me to cultivate a bigger farm for planting onions. This project will earn me an income in the future to meet all the basic needs and also pay school fees for my children on time.
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 preceding the current transfer is that I have started horticulture farming on my farm which was not possible before. I used to do casual jobs in the village and the amount of money I could get was not enough to meet all my basic needs and at the same time to buy seeds and fertilizers to use on my farm. I could do casual jobs to enable me to buy food and clothes. When I started to receive the money from GiveDirectly I started to save and it had enabled me to buy fertilizers and onions and planted on my farm. I no longer do much of the casual jobs in the village but rather devote half of my time on my own farm. I sell the produce at the market and this earns me an income. I have plans to expand the numbers of acres for farming in the near future. I am so great full for the support it eases my work on farming and improved our standard of living for my family.
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 have saved enough money from the sales of my farm produce to rent a much bigger farm for farming. I will also be in a position to pay workers to ease my work.
 
8th 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?
My life is currently different from how it was four months ago in that I now dress and feed well unlike before. At first we used to take one meal a day but I am now happy since we take three meals a day. I also could not afford to buy luxuries such as clothes. My first priority was to feed my children with the little I got from the casual jobs and this was not always enough and it made my wife flee back to her parents. Although I could not afford the three meals at that time I am glad that now with the financial boost from Give Directly I will be able to live a better life together with my children.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goals for the next four months is to bring my children back home. My wife left her matrimonial home since I could not cater for my family needs. The support I receive from GiveDirectly has helped me stand on my feet again. I am now positive that with the help I am getting from Give Directly and a few casual jobs here and there I will be able to cater for my family needs and pay for my children's school fees.
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 preceding the current transfer is that I am of good health now as I am now able to afford a balanced diet. I also take three meals a day unlike before where I used to take one meal a day as I no longer struggle to put food on the table. Initially I would spend the whole day doing causal jobs and only take one meal after I am out of my hustling spree. Since I have another source of income I do not work twice as hard as I used to before the transfers came.
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 my children and wife will have come back to live with me. I am always full of stress due to taking my meals at my maternal home. I am glad that this is going to change soon as I am planning to bring my family back soon. In the next four months, I will always be a happy and fulfilled parent since my family will have joined me and I will always live a stress free life due to the joy and warmth children always brings in a home.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfer is peace and joy which I have gotten.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I expect to have developed a lot in the farming sector and also my wife would have come back home since currently we have some difference which made her relocate to her newly bought land.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
our life as a family is currently different from how it would have been had we never received the transfer since we now enjoy a sufficient supply of foods, we are feeling healthy and and every member of the family is looking clean and happier.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I have a new goal is to improve my farming and ensure that I support my wife in buying her seeds in her currently bought piece of land.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Since the year 2016, I got separated with my wife and things have not been the same again. I feel Iike I have failed as a parent whenever I see my children missing their mum and the motherly love. Raising them on my own has been the biggest hardship I have ever experienced.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am back from my farm and carrying something for my kids to take for supper.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I am planning to spend my transfer on constructing a semi-permanent house for my family and furnishing it with necessary household items.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
There was a unique scenario in the year 2015, when the production of onions on my farm greatly increased. This was as a result of favourable climatic condition and my individual effort. This enabled me generate more income and hence expand my acreage under cultivation. For me this is the achievement I am proudest of.