In the coming year and beyond, my heartfelt aspiration is to grow my kiosk business into a thriving shop. I envision expanding my goods to offer a wide range of essential goods, from groceries to household items, catering to the diverse needs of my neighbors. By diligently saving and reinvesting profits, I aim to enhance the appeal of my kiosk, perhaps even introducing a small cafeteria for locals to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. With determination, I believe my kiosk can become a cornerstone of economic stability and community pride.

GiveDirectly has excelled in providing direct cash transfers efficiently to those in need, ensuring quick access to financial support without bureaucratic delays. Their approach of giving recipients control over how they use the money fosters empowerment and autonomy, which are crucial for sustainable impact. However, I would suggest delivering the entire $1100 in one installment rather than splitting it into two phases. This would eliminate potential disruptions or delays between payments, ensuring recipients can make immediate and comprehensive use of the funds for their most pressing needs, whether in education, healthcare, or starting a small business. This streamlined approach could enhance the overall impact of GiveDirectly's assistance, providing recipients with more stability and certainty in planning for their future.

I am a mother of four primary school children. To provide for my family, I manage a small kiosk business while my husband works as a driver. Recently, I received a second transfer of $530, and I paid off a debt of $102 at a shop where I had taken stock for sale and a sack of maize for our food. It was a huge relief to be debt-free and have a fresh start. To ensure the success of my kiosk, I invested $200 in a variety of stocks. This decision has made my customers happier because they can find what they need, which has boosted my sales and income. Additionally, I spent $36 on a new phone after my old one started giving me problems. Communication is crucial for running my business efficiently. With my children's education as a priority, I allocated $130 to pay their school fees, ensuring they can continue learning without interruption. Finally, I used the remaining $59 to buy food for my family, ensuring everyone had enough to eat. These investments have not only improved our daily lives but have also set us on a path toward a more stable and secure future.

I was at home in the evening around 5 pm, preparing vegetables for our meal when I heard my phone beep from where it was placed on a chair next to my husband. I quickly put the vegetables to cook before checking the message. When I finally did, it was a notification from GiveDirectly about the cash transfer. The moment I saw it, I jumped up and down in ululation, and my husband, noticing my excitement, immediately understood what was happening. He even joked that if time had allowed, we would have bought some chicken to celebrate, knowing our children would have been overjoyed as they prefer chicken over vegetables.

Since I started receiving payments from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my life has been nothing short of transformative. Before, I did not own any goats, but now I have two healthy ones that I am confident will grow and multiply, providing a sustainable source of income for my family in the future. The presence of food in our house has made a world of difference. My children are visibly happier, their faces now adorned with bright smiles. They have also gained a newfound confidence knowing that I have paid their school fees, which means they won't be sent home to fetch the fees anymore. One of the most significant changes for me was buying bedsheets. In the past, I had only one pair and had to wash and wait for them to dry before using them again. Now, I have a whole set of fresh bedsheets, which feels like such a luxury and a comfort. As a charcoal burner, the additional profits have allowed me to afford tastier and more nutritious meals for my family. Previously, I used to borrow a lot from neighbors, but thankfully, that has stopped. Now, we are self-sufficient, and we are glowing with pride as we can even afford jelly for our bodies. The financial stability provided by GiveDirectly has truly changed our lives for the better.

When I received the cash transfer, I first purchased maize flour for $55 and settled a previous debt for the same amount. I also bought a bag of rice at $45 and paid off another debt of $30 and bought 5kgs of beans. Ensuring my children had what they needed for school was also a priority, so I bought each of my four children a pair of school socks and paid their school fees, totaling $150. In addition to food and school expenses, I bought a pair of bedsheets, as the two I had were hand-me-downs from my nephew, and a new basin since I had been using an old jerrican for bathing. I also bought a dozen cups because I used to borrow from my neighbor just to have enough for tea. Moreover, I bought a bucket of detergent, a bag of potatoes, and other cereals, which I planned to sell as street food to school-going children. Unfortunately, schools did not open as expected, so I had to sell the potatoes elsewhere. To further secure our financial stability, I invested in two goats. While I now sell charcoal to make ends meet, my husband, who is a truck driver, has not been working much due to the meager pay and long, exhausting journeys that leave him without proper meals. The goats are an investment for our future, hoping they will provide a sustainable source of income as we navigate these challenging times. I will forever be grateful to GiveDirectly for the significant change that they have brought into my life and that of my family.