Isac Luis, a barbershop owner in Mozambique, transformed his life by investing $1,000 received from a USAID-funded program. Previously, Luis struggled to support his family through odd jobs. With the funds delivered by GiveDirectly, he built a barbershop, enhancing his income to nearly double the living wage. This change allowed him to improve his living conditions and support his children's education. While the initiative helped over 10,000 individuals, funding cuts from the Trump administration hindered its continuation.
Luis used the cash, delivered via mobile phone by the non-profit GiveDirectly, to erect a small metal-roofed building and fill it with barbershop essentials, like mirrors, chairs and clippers as well as that jukebox.
Before the barber shop, my life weighed one kilogram; now it will be two or three kilograms, indicating significant improvement in my life circumstances.
With funds primarily from USAID, GiveDirectly helped more than 10,000 people like Luis in Mozambique and had plans and funds to help more.
Luis says he 'didn't want to receive the money and just see it disappear from his hands,' indicating a desire for sustainable investment in his future.
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