I constructed a kiosk and bought a few items to start with using my second transfer. However, I didn’t finish installing the shelves, which makes it difficult to display and store the items properly. Additionally, the limited stock, due to financial constraints, means we often run out of products that customers request. As a result, they come and leave without purchasing everything they need. I plan to use my final transfer to complete the shelves and add more stock, allowing me to better serve my customers and grow my business

What I like most about GiveDirectly is the education on wise spending provided before the transfers. This was particularly important because receiving a large sum of money, especially for those of us who have never handled such amounts, could easily lead to misuse. The financial guidance helped us make thoughtful decisions about how to use the money, ensuring it went toward the most pressing needs. Additionally, the follow-up on how we spent the transfers encouraged us to be accountable and use the funds wisely, especially since we knew that more transfers were coming, and any misuse could put those at risk. Moreover, the transfers have fostered love and stronger connections within our families. As for areas of improvement, I honestly don’t see any; I believe GiveDirectly should continue with its current approach, as it has had a significant positive impact on our lives.

Upon receiving my second cash transfer, I decided to fulfill my long-term dream of diversifying my income by opening a kiosk. I saw potential in our village, as there were only two distant shops serving the area. With this opportunity in mind, I spent $330 on materials like iron sheets, nails, and poles to construct the shop. To stock the shop, I used $100 to buy essential items for our target customers, and the remaining $20 went toward transporting the goods from town to our shop. My wife is managing the business while I continue focusing on our crops. This investment is a step toward creating a stable source of income for our family, making it easier to meet our needs in the long run. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this happen.

I was going about my usual day, managing my small kiosk, when suddenly my phone buzzed. I glanced down, and there it was—a message notifying me that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and immediately shared the exciting news with my wife. We had already talked about what to do if we ever got such support, and the plan was to improve our house. You see, whenever it rains, our home floods badly, causing all kinds of problems. 

The biggest difference I've seen since receiving the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly is how much I've been able to boost my business. I'm a lot busier now than I was before, and it's been a good change. With the profits I’ve made, which is about $2 from both my shop and small restaurant, I’ve been able to invest in planting half an acre of watermelon. This has given me even more potential for growth. Most importantly, my three children are now constantly in school, unlike before when they used to get sent home for lack of fees. It's a huge relief to know they're getting an uninterrupted education.

I run a kiosk where I used to sell only sugar and soap, starting at just $6.3. With the transfer, I added more stock, and now my business is growing. I used $50 to bring in more items for sale, and my daily sales have improved from $8 to $20. This has helped me expand the business, and I’m now able to meet more customer demands. I also wanted to make sure that I invested in something long-term. So, I used $150 to buy two goats. I see this as a form of saving because goats multiply quickly, and I already have one new kid. This will provide extra income for my family in the future, without spending the money right away on things like house renovations, that I had initially planned to do. I know that once the goats multiply, I'll be able to sell some and generate even more income.