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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Ben's Profile
Ben's family
Ben
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Transport (works for others)
faceAge:
22
workCampaign
FSD / Urban Youth
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
attach_money
 
Follow to be updated on Ben's next check-in.
 
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($40 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before this program was launched in my area, I had no stable source of income and mostly relied on occasional jobs that were provided by the group to sustain its jobless members. The biggest problem I faced as a jobless father and husband was paying my rent on time. I do not remember any month that went by without me having issues with my landlord for failing to pay the rent on time. These transfers have been a blessing in my life because they have enabled me to provide for my family even when I have no source of income. I have also enjoyed the peace that has reigned between my landlord and I over the past year because I have never failed to pay him on time.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I am currently working as a tout where I do not earn enough to cater for my family needs which makes it impossible for me to invest the transfer on the project I had planned to invest on. At the moment, I do not have any great plans with the transfers other than to ensure that my bills are paid on time and my family is well provided for.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used part of my most recent transfer to pay my rent for the month as I usually do each month whenever I receive the transfers to avoid issues with my landlord. I then gave part of it to my wife who is currently unemployed so that she could take care of her personal needs, repaid a loan I took from the local mobile money services then spent the rest on foodstuff and other household requirements.
 
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($49 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
GD has really given me peace in my life with the transfers I receive on a monthly basis. Before the transfers, I did not have any source of income and I would struggle to raise money to meet my daily needs. Most of all was my house rent. There were several months when I was locked out of the house because I did not pay in time. I would go for three to four months without paying because I did not have the money to pay. We had a lot of quarrels with my landlord and he had even asked me to vacate his house. When I started receiving the transfer, I used part of it to pay for the deficit and so far, I have finished paying for the house. I am at peace with my landlord and I do pay my house rent in time. Thanks to GD for the transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I would still want to continue investing in a business. I would want to use my transfers to boost my cloth business which I started with part of my transfers by adding more stock. I would want to grow to a point where I will be able to rent a permanent premise for the business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on paying my house rent. I did not want to use my business resources to pay for it and had to wait until I get my transfer to pay for the house. I also bought food for my family. I always find it a good plan to buy food once a month which helps us manage our daily expenditure. The rest of the transfer I gave my wife for her personal needs which she had requested for two week in advance.
 
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($48 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it was before GiveDirectly came into my life because I have an extra income that I use to take care of my needs easily unlike before. I work as a tout and the job is always on and off. Being able to take care of my needs has given me peace of mind. I can only thank GiveDirectly for financial support.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to start a business for my wife. Currently, she has no job. She is a housewife. She has always had a passion for business and making her dream come true will mean a lot to our family because it will eventually translate to more income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Paying rent has been a burden on my side and at times I ended up paying late. When I received my transfer, I decided to pay rent first. I felt very happy because this time I paid it on time and did have to worry about how to clear it. I had seen my parents being embarrassed by the landlord when they were not in a position to pay rent on time and I did not want my family to undergo the same situation. Besides paying rent, I also did shopping that will push us for some time because I am not always sure of getting money every day since the casual jobs are normally unreliable. The remaining amount was spent on buying clothes for my child.
 
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($49 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I am planning to open a tattoo parlor. I am passionate about art and I am hoping that this will open doors for me. My community members embrace and I am certain that the business will pick up so quickly given time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am guaranteed a monthly stipend that can sustain my household needs. Initially, I was forced to hustle to ensure my family gets food on the table. failure to meant my household would go without food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my rent transfers, I spent half the amount to pay house rent and the remaining amount I spent on household shopping. This really pushed my household for several more weeks.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
The moment I received this transfers I felt so happy. I do not work and receiving such an amount was a relief for me and my family members.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I want to start a printing T-shirts. I have a passion for art. I have confidence I will get customers. Customers want quality in whatever they purchase, and I know I can be able to deliver that. I can also open a shoe business for both men and women. I will stop depending on the matatu hustle and be my own employer. This will impact and change my life positively. I will have done away with uncertainities of unemployment. Lastly, I want to take my wife to university, for her to advance her studies. She has always desired to go back to school and I want to be the one that takes her to university. In future we will be able to support each other and our children.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is health, especially when it comes to my wife. I worry alot when my wife falls sick since we have a nine months old baby, he really needs his mother at his young.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I want to transform Mathare and make it a better place for living. I want to do this by bring up young talents in children. I want to create a platform where children can discover their talent at a young age.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
I wake up at around 9:00am, take my breakfast and later go out with my son for a stroll. In the afternoon we go back and have lunch. I later leave for work in the evening and work till midnight or 1:00 am. After work I go home and rest. I spend my free time playing phone games and at times I meet up with my friends.