Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, my main objective is to expand my business ventures significantly. I aim to upgrade my shop to a larger space and also venture into the business of owning rental properties. To achieve this, I have implemented a rigorous savings plan, setting aside a minimum of $39 every week. It's been incredibly fulfilling to witness the progress in my finances, especially considering the struggles we faced in the past. Previously, financial constraints were a constant source of stress and uncertainty for me. But now, with a clear goal in mind and a dedicated savings culture, I feel more optimistic about the future than ever before. I am excited to see my efforts pay off as I work towards realizing my dreams of expanding my business and securing a more stable financial future for myself and my loved ones.

From my perspective, GiveDirectly has truly excelled in its mission to uplift individuals like myself. Their approach to distributing unconditional funds has been nothing short of remarkable, as it significantly boosted my income without any discrimination. The transparency throughout the process was particularly impressive; there were no hidden agendas or unclear procedures, allowing me to fully trust in the organization's efforts. I couldn't find any areas that needed improvement because GiveDirectly seemed to have covered all bases flawlessly. Their commitment to transparency not only instilled confidence in me but also showcased their dedication to making a difference in people's lives. Thanks to GiveDirectly's unwavering support, I've been able to experience tangible improvements in my financial state, and for that, I am immensely grateful.

Upon receiving our second transfer, my wife and I immediately decided to allocate the funds towards expanding our business ventures, including our roasted meat and palm wine sales, as well as enhancing my wife's grocery store, therefore, we used the entire amount of $550. Recognizing the growing demand in the market, we saw this as a crucial opportunity to not only meet the needs of our customers but also to secure a more stable financial future for our family. Prior to this, our income was severely limited, barely reaching $50 a month from our small business. With four children to support, two of whom are currently enrolled in school, it was a constant struggle to make ends meet. Expanding our businesses became impossible as we grappled with the challenges of providing for our family's basic needs and covering our children's educational expenses. The lack of financial resources made it difficult to ensure a comfortable standard of living and invest in our children's future. However, with the additional funds from the transfer, we were able to not only improve our businesses but also alleviate some of the financial burden weighing on our shoulders. This opportunity has given us renewed hope and determination to break free from the constraints of poverty and create a better life for our family.

I had traveled to a nearby town, approximately a 2-hour drive from my home, to undertake some casual work for the day in hopes of earning a little extra money for my family. Around 5pm, while engaged in my tasks, a notification appeared on my phone. Upon opening it, I discovered that GiveDirectly had sent us money. Immediately, I called my wife to share the wonderful news and she received them with immense joy. It had been quite some time since we had encountered such uplifting news, which rekindled our spirits and reminded us of life's wonders. In our household, I live with my wife and 7 children. Among them, 4 are my biological children, and 3 are the children of my late sister, who passed away 4 years ago. I assumed responsibility for my late sisters' children as they had no one else to care for them. Among the 7 children, there are 5 girls and 2 boys. They currently share a single room, which isn't ideal, especially considering that some of them are entering their teenage years. Providing separate rooms would afford them the privacy they need as they continue to grow. My wife is currently unemployed, and I earn a living as a local palm wine vendor. However, our earnings are modest and do not suffice for adequately providing for our family and building a house.

Due to the limited income from my local palm wine vending, I faced challenges in providing for my family and saving for both water connection and a house. This burden weighed heavily on me, but GiveDirectly lightened it with their transfer. Now, as the house construction progresses and we await approval for the water connection, my earnings comfortably cover our family's daily essentials. This brings us immense happiness, and we are deeply grateful. Soon, my wife will no longer need to trek long distances in search of water, freeing up her energy for more constructive activities that contribute to our family's well-being

Within our household, my wife and I reside with our 7 children. 4 of them are my biological offspring, while the remaining 3 are children of my late sister, who passed away 4 years ago. I assumed guardianship of my late sister's children, as they had no one else to care for them. Among the 7 children, there are 5 girls and 2 boys. Currently, they all share a single room, which is far from ideal, particularly as some of them are entering their teenage years. Providing separate rooms would afford them the privacy they need as they continue to grow. My wife is currently unemployed, while I earn a living as a local palm wine vendor. However, my earning are barely enough adequately provide for our family and building a house. Therefore, I allocated $420 of the transfer to construct a 2-bedroom house, as our current dwelling is insufficient for all of us. Though the house is still under construction, once completed, it will afford our family the necessary privacy. Seeing the house in progress excites all of us and we are eagerly waiting for its completion so that the kids can move in have their privacy. Additionally, I spent $130 to connect water to our home. Currently, we do not have running water, and my wife faces considerable challenges in fetching water from a distant source.