With the salon business doing so well, my wife and I are excited about expanding. Seeing the daily earnings rise from $5 to an impressive $25 has shown us the potential. We plan to invest in more machines and a wider range of cosmetic products and hire more personnel to improve service delivery. This expansion will grow our business and increase returns. With more income, we can ensure a better and more stable future for our family.

GiveDirectly's support changed our lives, and what stood out the most was how they did it. They gave us the money with no strings attached, allowing us to decide how best to use it for our family. Their officers are humble and respectful. They asked for my consent to join the program, which I did at will, and felt respected and valued. And perhaps most impressively, there was no corruption, rare in today's world. The enrollment process was free and fair. There was no involvement with community leaders, I hope GiveDirectly continues with this incredible work and maintains its spirit of respect, fairness, and generosity as it supports more families.

Before, I used to make charcoal production for a living, but it was tough. The logs were limited, poor roads hindered market accessibility and later it was banned which pushed me to casual jobs. My wife, on her part, ran a small hair salon. But because we couldn't afford many products or equipment, she could only make about $5 a day. With me making just $3 from the casual jobs. It was hardly enough to support our two daughters, aged 10 and 5. Life took a positive turn when I received my final transfer. We invested $150 in cosmetic products and a blow-drying machine. This small turned the salon around. My wife's earnings rose from $5 to $25 a day. What a change! To address the food problem, I spent $90 to get two bags of maize, and to ensure future sustainability I utilized $60 on land preparation (Furrow and Plow) planning to plant maize and use furrow irrigation to mitigate challenges that might occur due to common short rains in the area. Aiming to sell the surplus harvests and address other family needs like school fees. Additionally, I spent $100 to build our toilet. Before we had to go out to the bush, which was embarrassing and unsanitary, especially during rains. I began constructing our toilet. pending the roof and door. Finally, I couldn't forget about my daughters. Their uniforms were worn out, so I used $10 to buy new ones for both. With what was left, we all got new clothes. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our lives have taken a turn for the better.

My objective is to enhance our salon and venture into opening a barber shop, where I would actively participate. To achieve this vision, I intend to save the salon's earnings as profit. While it may take some time, I am optimistic that things will unfold positively.

The organization significantly improved our individual lives, providing empowerment to both the young and the old and granting us financial freedom. This was made possible by allowing us to use our funds in ways that aligned with our needs and preferences. I am genuinely thrilled that my life has experienced such a remarkable positive impact.

I make a living through farming, while my wife runs a salon. Together, we have two children. Upon receiving our second transfer, my wife and I strategized to enhance the salon business. We invested in blow-dry equipment and other items amounting to $200. This decision aimed to establish a reliable income source, especially during the festive season, given the unpredictability of our income. Additionally, we decided to improve our small house, spending $126 for the upgrade. We also purchased two goats for $75, and the remaining funds were used to buy essential foodstuffs. I am profoundly thankful that our lives experienced a remarkable uplift, and we remain forever indebted to the organization for this positive transformation.

Receiving that first transfer from GiveDirectly was an unexpected and incredible moment for me. I was filled with happiness because I had not anticipated any money coming my way that day, and I couldn't believe it was true that I was going to receive free cash support from GiveDirectly. After my enrollment, I had been patiently waiting, and then I received a message that caught my attention because it had the sender's name we had been informed about. At that moment, I was alone at the farm, tending to my goats while fixing the fence around it. When I returned home around 5:00 p.m., I excitedly informed my spouse, who shared in my joy. Since everyone in the program had received their transfers on the same day, I decided to wait over the weekend and withdrew the money the following Monday from the nearby shopping center. It was a moment of relief and hope that things were going to get better for our family.

The biggest difference in my daily life has been the transformation of my wife's salon business. Prior to receiving the GiveDirectly transfer, her salon was struggling due to low stock levels. However, with the injection of $50, we've witnessed a noticeable increase in customers and, subsequently, better profits. This boost has instilled a sense of hope and stability in our lives, as the salon has always been our fallback income source, especially considering the uncertainty of my subsistence and livestock farming endeavors. We are now looking forward to further expanding the salon business in the future, thanks to the positive impact of GiveDirectly's support.

After withdrawing the entire $200, I carefully strategized on how to utilize the money to enhance the standard of living for my family. Firstly, I bought a new mattress for $30, as I had been using an old one for years. Subsequently, I gave out the old mattress to my children, who added it to their existing one. To ensure that my four-member family had enough food, I purchased 56kg of dry maize grains for $30. My wife runs a salon business, which has proven to be a reliable source of income for us. Therefore, I decided to inject $50 to replenish her salon stock, which had been depleting. Additionally, I paid $10 in school fees for my youngest daughter, who is currently in kindergarten. Furthermore, I spent $20 on essential household items such as sugar, tea leaves, rice, cooking oil, and toiletries. We invested $66 in curtains to cover most parts of our walls and plan to buy more to complete the rest of the uncovered areas. Lastly, I bought new clothing for my two children and wife. I am grateful for the positive impact I have witnessed so far and look forward to making better investments with the second transfer.