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 > Bahathi's Profile
Bahathi's family
Bahathi
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
40
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($465 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As of now, I do not have something tangible to do once I get money. As per how I grew up, I usually plan what to do only if I have the money in my hand. Concerning that, once I get some money I will plan on how best to utilize it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did so well. It enabled me to add stock to my business and by so doing; I have attracted so many customers since they get whatever they require. Again, to the side of the community, people rose from poor standards of living and they are now better off. Some constructed houses while others bought livestock depending on their needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After withdrawing the money, I used KES 13800.00 to buy more stock for my shop business. The aim of doing this was to stabilize the business and ensure that my customers get almost everything that they require hence holding them instead of them looking for services elsewhere. I also bought five goats for KES 20000.00. For the remaining amount, I bought some clothes and food for my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As I was busy preparing breakfast for my children, my phone vibrated twice. I didn’t bother since I do not know how to read but my child went for it on the table and checked. He came running saying that the money has been sent. I paused to know more and I was informed that I had received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy knowing that this money was going to restore my privacy and respect since I had the chance build a separate house for my children.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, I was living with my children in the same house. This did not give me peace of mind because I was lacking privacy and I felt my personal space as a parent thus felt the need to build them their own house when I received the transfer. The act of constructing a separate house for my children is the biggest difference I can attest that GiveDirectly did well for me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing I did after withdrawing the money was buying some iron sheets so that I could build a house for my children. The reason for this is that I used to sleep with my children in the same house thus depriving me of my privacy and also the respect was going down. I also paid school fees and uniform for my 7 primary school children. Thereafter, I bought beds for my children.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Imagine having a family of six children who needs to get basic education without a source of a stable income. Over the years, I have been depending on agricultural farming where I mainly grow maize and peas for my own consumption. However, this has changed due to persistent drought facing our village that has made farming difficult. Consequently, this forced me to look for alternative ways to put food on the table. This made me start charcoal burning business which is illegal, but because it is the only means for survival, I have no choice but do the illegal business. What is more worrying is that there are no more trees for cutting and burning. This has affected the business which earns me less than 2000KES a week. This is not enough to meet the basic needs of my family. My ambition has been to buy goats that I will sell in the market when they multiply in order to educate my children. Upon receiving this money, I will be able to purchase ten goats at a cost of 40,000 KES which survive dry weather conditions. I will then use the remaining amount to pay school fees and buy new school uniform for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month, I made a lot of profit of 10,000 KES from selling my charcoal unlike the other months where I make at most 5000 KES. This helped me reduce the school fee arrears that have accrued from last term. This made me happy as it relieved me from the stress of my children being sent away from school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Over two years now, I have been suffering from chest complications. Sometimes I spit blood when I cough. This has made me being economically inactive and dependent on my spouse to meet the basic needs of my family. However, I have not been able to seek medication due to lack of money. Upon receiving the cash transfer, I will use part of it to seek medication so that I can restore my health and engage in economic activities once again.