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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:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
31
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($502 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($547 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The fact that I am now sleeping under a semi-permanent house which is well plastered has made my life to be totally different. We had a plan of renovating the house before but, fortunately, my husband passed on. I was left with the children who were very young by then and the responsibilities were overwhelming. During that period, I felt my life had completely changed. I became the breadwinner and the little that I was getting was only for food and paying school fees. The issue of renovating the house ended once I got my transfer. I remember when I had to survive in the small hut with my children and sometimes I could seek shelter whenever it could rain. The coming of GD in my life has made me be a happy parent because we no longer seek shelter nor worry about the rains. My children are now sleeping comfortably unlike before when they were always attacked with some diseases because of the condition of the house. I am so grateful to GD.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can still remember very well like today when my phone vibrated continuously. I quickly checked who could have sent the message, but because I am illiterate, I decided to call my helper to confirm what the message was all about. Upon checking, he realized it was an mpesa message from GD. I felt wow after he broke the news to me. I thought it was a scam during the enrolment period.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as some pieces of iron sheets, building poles, nails, and some timber. This was for the purpose of constructing a new house because previously I used to sleep in a very small hut with my children. We were always stressed whenever it could rain, we had to seek some shelter from our neighbors. I also cleared school fees for my children who have been staying home for some weeks. They have been always been sent home every now and then. This was really stressing me, considering that I am a widow the little I was getting could not sustain all the basic needs. The remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying foodstuffs for my children and some other basic needs like clothing.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My house collapsed a year ago immediately after the death of my husband. Since I had no means to build another one, I settled for a small structure that resembles a chicken pen. This house can only accommodate 5 out of my 7 children. The rest sleep in their auntie's house. Apart from being small, the structure is almost open and it negatively affects my children's health. They are vulnerable to colds especially during rainy seasons. Living in such a miserable condition has triggered my desire to construct a better house once I receive the transfer.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I always pray for God's protection every night considering the condition that we live in. Once morning comes, I get extremely happy to see my family well and sound.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Losing my husband was such a big blow to my family. This reduced me to the sole breadwinner of 7 children. Since then life has never been easy because I do not have a stable income. During his life, we used to share the responsibility and life was a bit better. Currently I cannot meet all my children's needs. This has made it difficult to even give them a decent shelter.