I started the salon business a year ago with my own savings. Since I did not have much, I started with very few equipment and little stock. This is because I could not get enough money to buy everything I would want to have in the business. Had I have waited for more savings, then I would have ended up using the savings on something else other than the business. I have not been able to boost it with my own income because it has been very little and this is where GD has made a difference in my life. On a monthly basis, I have been using part of my transfers to boost the business by buying more stock or a new equipment. This has improved my service delivery which has increased my customers. As a result, I have a good income compared to what I used to get before the transfers.

I want to focus my next transfers in boosting salon business. The business has been very helpful in meeting the daily needs of the family. The little income I get on a daily basis has helped me provide food for the family and save some which have really bailed me out at times of financial crisis. I would want to ensure the business is stable to help sustain my needs after the transfers are over.

I spent my transfer on buying school requirements such as school uniform, books, pens and shoes for my son who was joining secondary school this year. He would not have been allowed in school without full requirements since it was his first time in secondary school. I had borrowed money from our table banking group to pay for his school fees. I am glad I was able to meet the set deadline for reporting because of the transfers.

The biggest difference in my life as a result of the transfers is that my salon business is now doing very well. There is increased stock which has increased the number of customers coming to my business. As a result, I have a good income from the business which is the profit from the business. I am glad I no longer have the fear of the business collapsing because I could not keep up investing in the business. My children too have not been sent home for fees arrears, they eat well and we dress well too. I am happy with how GD has changed my life.

Currently, I plan to buy my children new clothes which they will use for the festive season. It is always the joy of children when they celebrate Christmas with new clothes. I would not want to disappoint them.

I spent my transfer on boosting my salon business by adding more stock. We are approaching the festive season and during this period, many people come to make their hair. They will need a variety of styles hence I had to be ready so that I don't lose customers because of low stock.

Currently, my life is different from how it was in that I am more independent. Previously, my father could take most of my responsibilities including taking care of my children's needs too. This was just because as a single mother, I could try sustaining my business so as to take most of my needs but ended up seeking assistance from my parent. I am glad that I am in a place where I can handle most of the needed by myself after boosting my business with the GiveDirectly's transfer.

My new goal is to start saving. I plan to use my savings in establishing my home. I have a piece of land and I intend to work hard to build a home where my children can also enjoy having their stay.

I spent the whole of my transfer on moving into my place. I had been renting my house but due to demolishing that occurred, I was left with an option of staying in my parent's house with my children. My business was not stable at that time, hence I could not think of renting another house. Now that in the last few months I had concentrated on boosting my business and the income has been able to sustain my children and I, I decided to reduce the burden from my parents. Today, I have the freedom of operating my business till late, something that I could not do at my parent's place. I can never complain. I can only thank GiveDirectly for changing my life.

My goal is to expand my salon business and to open a beauty shop alongside my salon. I also hope to acquire my own house where I will not have to pay rent.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I can now move to a better house. Our houses were demolished in the recent demolitions that were planned by the government, in a bid to get rid of houses that were built in wrong places. I fell victim of this and I was forced to rent a cheap house in a rush so that I do not sleep out in the cold. My business is now supporting me and I am yet to move a better house.

I spent my most recent transfer to expand my salon business. I have owned a hair salon at Gitathuru village in Mathare for seven years now. I added more stock to this business such hair braids, hair weaves, hair oil, shampoo and other beauty products. My business was not doing so well as I lacked these products in the salon and I was also attending a beauty training course in Eastleigh Estate, just across, that made me spend less time in the business. I completed my course and I now spend sufficient time in the business. I have seen my business improve a lot after I restocked with the transfers that I received from Give Directly.

The transfers must have come in at night as I woke up in the morning to find the Mpesa message in my phone. I was very happy and surprised at the same time as I was not expecting the money. At that moment, I felt that I could trust Give Directly and I knew truly that the transfers were not a hoax. I was very happy and the first thing I bought was stock for my salon as it was Christmas season whereby a lot of ladies make their hair.