As a woman, I believe in the importance of self-reliance and contributing to my family's well-being in any way I can. While my husband's teaching job provides the main source of income for our family of five, I have taken the initiative to open a shop business selling foodstuff to the villagers. However, I have encountered challenges in stocking the shop adequately due to financial constraints. That is why I am grateful for the upcoming transfers, which will provide the means to invest in restocking the business. I plan to spend $100 towards this endeavour, ensuring that the shop is well-supplied to meet the needs of our customers. Additionally, I recognize the significance of our land in providing sustenance for our family. With this in mind, I intend to spend $300 on cultivating our seven acres of land. I will sow maize to feed our family and cultivate pasture for our goats, ensuring both food security and the well-being of our livestock. Achieving financial stability and food security is my ultimate goal. I am optimistic that these investments will contribute to our family's overall success.

Food is the well-being of a family. Just three months ago, I experienced a significant breakthrough in this regard. Despite the challenges posed by prolonged droughts in our area, I managed to harvest an impressive 20 bags of maize from my 1-acre piece of land, which I sowed back in November 2023. This accomplishment made me happy, considering that for the past two years, I had been struggling to harvest only 12 bags per season from the same plot of land. The elnino rains last year played a crucial role in this bumper harvest, allowing me to maximize the potential of my land and overcome the challenges posed by the droughts. Having 20 bags of maize in stock provides a sense of relief and security for my family of five. With this abundance of food, I no longer have to worry about food shortages or insecurity shortly.

Being responsible for overseeing the family, the farm, and the goats while my husband, Humphrey, is away teaching in the Mukutani ward is undoubtedly a draining task. It feels like a constant struggle to manage everything on my own, from household chores to tending to the farm and animals. I will admit, it can be exhausting and draining, especially with the added responsibility of looking after the children. The lack of financial resources makes it challenging to hire a helper, despite knowing how much it would ease the burden. Unfortunately, a previous attempt to employ assistance ended in frustration, with the helper demanding money before the month ended. It is a situation I cannot afford to repeat, given our reliance on Humphrey's support as a family of five.