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 > Benjamin's Profile
Benjamin's family
Benjamin
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
22
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
48200 KES ($468 USD)
access_time almost 7 years ago
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What did you spend your third transfer on?
I spent my third transfer on buying a sofa set at 9,000 KES, paid 15,000 KES college fee for me to get my certificate, bought clothes for the family at 5,000 KES, used 10,000 KES to mud-smear the walls of my house, used 3,000 KES to buy and fix a new door for my house. I used the rest of the cash to travel to Mombasa in which am now hustling.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I no longer spend the nights in the kitchen as before because I have my own house and I dress smartly. I also managed to get my college certificate which was held due to fee arrears hence am now hopeful of landing a job soon.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving the cash directly the recipients and leaving them to decide on how to spend the money depending on their needs.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time over 7 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent most of my second transfer to buy building materials for my new house which I wanted to build, spent some on food for my laborers, and also on transportation of the building materials.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My daily life is different in that I use to live in a grass thatched house which was leaking but now I have a bigger iron roofed house where I can also harvest rain water for drinking
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
10000 KES ($99 USD)
access_time over 7 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on buying 2 sheep at 5000 KES, bought building timber at 3000 KES and used the rest of the money on buying food for the family.
What are you planning to spend your upcoming transfer on?
I'm planning to spend my upcoming transfer on building a new house, paying dowry and also opening a business.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 7 years ago
 
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I'm planning to spend my transfer on building an iron roofed house since the current one leaks during rainy seasons,I will also buy some livestock that I can sell in the future to get some profit.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I'm proudest of is having been able to reach the college even though I was home most of the times due to lack of college fees.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I'm facing currently in my life is on making ends meet, I depend on casual jobs to survive and to help my parents but the opportunities are not always available to keep me going.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is normally in the morning when I get an opportunity to go and do some casual work around, this gives me joy knowing that I will be able to get some payment at the end of the day which I can use to buy food for my family and getting myself some personal items like clothes.