I have a family of seven members with five being children. I do charcoal burning for living and my husband works as a casual labor at Mombasa. He earns approximately $60 per month and I earn $45 per month. My first born is at Shangweni secondary school with a fees balance of $450 . He is in form three. He did not do end year exam last year due to lack of fees. Four of my children are schooling at Mrima wa Ndege primary school with a collective fees balance of $300 per year. I will use $750 to clear their school fees balances so that they can remain at school and improve their performances. I will also use $250 to buy food for the family. Food shortage has sometimes caused my children not to attend school due to hunger. We normally take one meal per day.

The family has been having food issues for quite long due to lack of reliable source of income. We take one meal per day. However, on 1st 2023, I slaughter three chickens for the family to celebrate after seeing a new year. The gift of life was a worthy celebration despite the food challenges we have had for the year.

Lack of reliable income is the challenge I am currently facing. I do charcoal burning for sale and I earn approximately $45 per month. My husband does casual jobs at Mombasa earning $60 per month. This money caters to my children's education and it is even not enough. My children have been on and off of school due to lack of school fees. This has affected their performance.