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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Bendera's Profile
Bendera's family
Bendera
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
61
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I bought 2 goats at Kes. 6000 And motorcycle. at Kes. 38000. I am a mother of four boys and a farmer. Taking care of my family has been a great challenge since no money to buy food or even pay their school fees. Thank you so much GiveDirectly. You have put a smile on my face.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Nothing bad. The good thing is about receiving money. I now own my motorcycle and a piece of land. Thank you so much. You have put a smile on my face.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought land of two hectares at Kes. 50000 and remained with debt to clear. I am planning to build my home here. You have made my dream come true Thank you so much.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At around 7am when I was just sitting at home, my phone had received a message though I didn’t hear the message tone. After sometime, I heard people saying they have received their transfers from GiveDirectly and I was shocked. I told one of my grandchildren to go and check my phone too since I don’t know how to read. The news from the grandchild was good news that I was also among the ones who received the transfer of KES 55000.00. I felt so happy and joined my fellow family members in ululations because this was not a usual thing in our lives.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially we used to lit a huge fire at night to assist us in proving some light due to the high prices of paraffin which we were unable to purchase on daily basis. But currently, we have a solar panel that provides us with some light using bulbs and tube lights. There is a small difference between day time and night time at our home. We are happy for the aid we received from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The promise I had made to the GiveDirectly staff that came was that I wanted to gave livestock at my home. My aim was to get some cows but looking at how the weather was, I opted for some goats. I bought 6 goats which I am sure they will multiply as soon as possible. I also bought a small solar panel to provide us with some light at night. I did this because the paraffin price is very high and the paraffin itself has become very scarce something that made us to stay I darkness in some days. In collaboration with a family member who is also a GiveDirectly beneficiary, we bought a motorbike to aid us in fetching some water as well as doing some light transport to earn us something by the end of the day. For the remaining amount I bought some foodstuff and also saved some for family emergencies.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a reliable source for my household. Currently, I am a charcoal work a very tiresome job yet its earnings are very minimal of KES 4000 per month. I have desired to start a kiosk to act as a source of income to my household but it has never been possible due to lack of capital. I, therefore, intend to spend KES 50000 to start a kiosk and this will assure me of getting an estimated profit of KES 500 per day. I will further use KES 30000 to buy 10 goats that will act as a long-term investment project for my household. The remaining amount will cater to other household expenses like food and also support my grandchildren's education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is because it is at this time when I am free and I rest a lot.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial crisis is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. This is because I am doing charcoal work that earns me KES 4000 per month. Due to this, I have been struggling to meet the basic needs of my household and sometimes I fail to put food on the table.