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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 > Benard's Profile
Benard's family
Benard
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($485 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?
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have started goats rearing project. I depend on casual jobs in the village and also small scale farming at home, the harvest that I get through this is only for consumption. I had always wished to start this project but I didn't had money. The small amount of money that I get through this casual jobs is only for other basic household needs . When I received the second transfer I decided to invest on goats rearing project. I bought three goats for a start. The reason why I like this project is that goats reproduce twice per year. I will sell them to buy a dairy cow in the near future. I will also paid school fees for my children in various schools. Pay NHIF easly without much struggle. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has enabled us to own livestock which could have taken quite some time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 10,000 on the second transfer on purchasing three goats. This is the best investment because goats reproduce twice per year. I spent some money to build them a house. I also bought sofa set seats at a cost of KES 15,000. This has made me feel great whenever I had visitors because I have a decent seats. I also fence my farm to prevent neighbor's cows from destroying my crops. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($509 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The first transfer came as a surprise, and even though I was expecting it, I was not so sure that it will really come to pass. I received it while I was working in my casual labor at school. All I was doing had to stop since I had to call my wife to witness what was finally in my account and to ensure that I adhered to all the budget we had since I never want to spend alone without her approval.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the success in the first investment in livestock. With the projections I had on the outcome, I am super excited that everything is working for my good as I am currently looking forward to the production of enough milk both for our own use in the household and the sale of the surplus to cover other household needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the first transfer, I managed to purchase a cow to add to the herd as I had been buying milk even though I had some livestock. For an adequate supply of milk which includes a surplus for sale, I came to this decision to add another good breed with 35000KES from the first transfer. I also constructed a new kitchen with the 10000KES and bought clothing and foodstuff for children with the remaining amount.
 
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I will launch my project of rearing goats for commercial purposes upon receipt of this money. As a start, I will buy about 10 young goats using 30, 000 shillings of the first transfer. We have a relatively large piece of communal land in our area. Also, there is a ready market nearby for goat meat. As such, my project will probably thrive.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a casual laborer, I am usually away from home almost throughout the day. Hence, the happiest part of my day is in the evening when I have returned home, playing with my two children and chatting with my wife. I feel satisfied being with my young family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Failure to pursue my studies beyond Grade 7 acts as the biggest hardship I have faced in life. Currently, I am handling tedious casual tasks in a nearby school yet remunerations is too little. This is because I cannot secure other well-paying and non-menial jobs. As a result, we are leading a substandard lifestyle as a family because we have inadequate income.