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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 > Benson's Profile
Benson's family
Benson
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
28
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($324 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year or before its conclusion, my intention is to obtain a parcel of land, establish a boundary around it, and commence raising goats. By doing so, I aim to enhance the welfare of my family by generating an additional source of income, particularly during dry seasons when farming may not be as prosperous.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly did well at ensuring that we are all handling the unconditional transfers in the best ways by doing constant follow ups and ensuring transparency withing households by paying us regular visits and conducting phone surveys. This has been a great way of ensuring financial literacy and responsibility.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my second transfers, I decided to plant maize and beans which was by far the best investment I did, so with my last transfers, recognizing the importance of maximizing the yield and improving the quality of my crops, I allocated $ 90 to purchase fertilizer and remove weeds from my land. This investment was crucial in rejuvenating the fertility of the soil and ensuring healthier and more abundant harvests. With the help of these transfers, I witnessed a remarkable improvement in my farm's productivity, leading to increased income and a more sustainable future for myself and my family. Another area where I directed a portion of the unconditional transfers was towards paying off my electricity debt. The burden of outstanding bills had been weighing heavily on me, and I knew that settling this debt would not only alleviate financial stress but also restore access to essential services. With $ 40, I cleared my electricity debt, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to my home and enabling me to focus on other priorities with peace of mind. Addressing the basic needs of my family was of paramount importance to me. I utilized $65 to purchase food, ensuring that my loved ones had nutritious meals on their plates. It brought me immense joy to see smiles on their faces and the satisfaction of knowing that hunger would no longer be a daily struggle
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($339 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In order to avoid having to travel too far for water, I intend to expand my farming operations and pipe water from the nearby primary school, which has a borehole, to my homestead. This is my plan with the last transfer that I will receive from Give Directly and hopefully have things easier for me and my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Making sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to receive the transfer is one thing Give Directly does really effectively. Since most people are unsure of what to do when handed large sums of money all at once, explaining the program to the recipients and instructing us on proper ways to use funds was also a very excellent step.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I got my second transfer, I spent $100 of it on planting maize and beans on an acre of land because we were getting some rain, about $70 on building our first toilet, and about $40 on building a tiny chicken coop for the seven chicken I recently bought. I spent the remaining money on food because we had no food left at all. We haven't eaten two meals a day as a family in such a long time due to a lack of money, and the ongoing drought made matters worse.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Around 3:00 p.m., I received a message alert on my phone, and upon checking it, I discovered that it was a Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. It was a relief to read through it and see that the indicated amount was exactly what I expected. I was told that I would receive $180, and that is exactly what I saw when I first glanced. I had no reason to doubt the source, so I informed my spouse, who was equally pleased. We began planning what we needed to do with her and withdrew a portion of the money the next morning.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had hoped to start investing in livestock, preferably goats, before receiving the first transfer, but I could not afford it with the proceeds from the hard-to-come-by casual labor. I am glad GiveDirectly came in, and the joy of seeing two goats on my compound has made the biggest difference in my daily life so far. I still hope to add two more in the future and to build a fence around the compound to keep them in when there is plenty of food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For a long time, I relied on casual labor to feed my family, but in recent years, they have become scarce, and we have gone days without food after exhausting all options, including obtaining goods from nearby shops on credit. I was relieved when I received the first transfer, which I saw as a new beginning for my family of three. I first spent $24 on dry maize grains, which we consumed for at least three weeks before running out.I also needed a long-term project, and with our homestead surrounded by vast open grazing fields and bushes, I decided to invest $118 in two goats that I hope to breed and multiply for future sale. Because goats feed on both grass and shrubs, it is the simplest economic activity that thrives in all seasons. I have a better future with them on my farm because I can always sell one to meet any financial obligation in my family. I also spent $16 on a piece of furniture that was missing in my home, and the remainder was spent on new pairs of clothes for my child, my spouse, and myself. I am thankful for the support and look forward to experiencing even more transformation when I receive the second transfer.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My sister, Winny, is currently in grade 8 and she will be sitting for her KCPE examination in a week. Hopefully, she will be joining grade 9 in January 2023. Paying her school fees has been a challenge since I have not had any savings yet and we have to live from hand to mouth. It is a sigh of relief now, for I intend to clear her grade 9 fee as well as purchase her admission requirements using the transfers. In addition, I plan on fencing the land that I inherited from my deceased mother. On this land, I will cultivate drought resistant crops such as ground nuts and sorghum for food and income generation for my family of 3.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Although we live from hand to mouth, I am grateful that my family of 3 has never lacked food to eat. I usually attend casual jobs such as charcoal burning and land cultivation to earn $2 daily. Even though these jobs are unpredictable, I am glad that a week cannot pass without being engaged 3-4 times. What worries me most is when they have not eaten since I took the parental role on them and they look up to me for provision.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When my mother passed on in 2016, I took over her responsibilities of raising my 2 siblings. My father remarried and he then abdicated his father's duties to us. Therefore to make ends meet, I attend casual jobs like charcoal burning and land cultivation to earn $2 daily. All of this only caters for the food for the household and I have nothing to pay for school fees for my siblings. It pains me to see my family's anguish in poverty as tomorrow is almost uncalled for we live from hand to mouth.