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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Newsfeed > Benson's Profile
Benson's family
Benson
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
47
workCampaign
UBI
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Benson's next check-in.
 
19th 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?
Currently, I have managed to save and pay a better part of the owed amount for the barbed wire. I look forward to fencing my home so that I can protect it from any stray animals who ruin my vegetables like the neighbour's poultry. It can also help in protecting us from burglars who would want to attack us at night. I could not manage all these if not for the transfers from GD as I barely earn enough money from the casual work to pay for the barbed wire.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I plan to pay for the whole amount I owe the hardwire on the purchase of the barbed wire so I still have no new goal.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have no stress because I receive cash every month. I do not have to worry about where to get money to go about my daily household expenditure. Majorly, I dod not have to depend on relatives or friends for any financial support as I can pool my transfers together with my other savings to buy food and fulfil my other pressing needs. My family do not have to go without food because I have decided to dedicate my income on important projects, they have the transfers to fall back to.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have fenced my home by then and now it would be safe from any stray animals or even jaywalkers. My home will be too beautiful it will be the envy of the entire village.
 
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I am living a less stressful life because even though I have no source of income, one of my children in secondary school has been using his transfers to pay his school fees. This has greatly reduced the amount of arrears he had in school. Knowing that my son can stay in school full time without having to be sent home due to accrued fees arrears like it was before, gives me joy as a parent.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have not yet achieved my previous goal of fencing my compound because I have not been able to raise enough money for buying the required materials. Therefore, my plan is to keep saving part of these transfers until I have enough money I need to fence my home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I do not have any source of income and it has been tough getting by, but this has not been so evident in my family because three of my family members are also receiving these transfers. This has made it easy for them to take care of their daily needs and hide my shame of not being able to provide for my family.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
My hope is that in the next six months, I will have gathered enough resources needed to fence my compound.This will help me keep my livestock safe from the common thieves around the village and have less quarrels with my neighbours over my livestock invading their compound.
 
12th 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 because I have managed to buy barbed wire as I had planned. I will start fencing my home once I get enough poles. I am also able to buy food such that we do not have to miss meals or go to bed hungry as we could do in the past.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to have a barbed wire fence around my home which will assure me security as well as help me control my livestock from roaming to my neighbour's farms. It will also make my compound appeaar more organized and beautiful.
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 able to feed well and do not have to worry about not having household items such as soap and kerosene. Getting meals had been a huge burden in my household since I am the main provider, but I do not have a stable source of income that can meet all my family needs.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to buy more chicken to boost my poultry farming. I currently keep local chicken which will soon start to hatch chicks and I believe in the next six months, I will have over fifty chicken from which I will be able to get more income.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 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 the way it was four months ago in that I have been to meet my needs without borrowing money every time.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
For the next four months of my life, I have an additional goal of fencing my home so that it can be more secure.
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 been at peace because i can comfortably meet most of my family's needs.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next siax months, I expect to have fenced the compound.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
Currently I do not have any new goal.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The difference in my daily life currently are I have planted in bigger land unlike before, we eat better and paying school fees in time.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months, I plan to buy gate and fence my home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving this transfer is that I have planted in a bigger piece of land since I leased in land to help boost my harvest.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am facing is feeding my large family of nine members with the little income I get from fishing since currently we don't get much fish when ever we go fishing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening we are seated together as a family having supper. This is the time i get to lean my children and also teach them as a parent.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
Am planning to spend the transfer on playing school fees for my son who is in form four currently and also to buy maize from the village and supply schools.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
My proudest achievement is that I have been able to build a sizable house which comfortably accommodate my family of nine member. It wasn't very easy because I don't have regular income but I managed it from my income as a fisherman.