What constitutes a family varies from country to country and from culture to culture, but in most places it remains the center of social and economic life. Each day, families must make hard decisions about which basic needs to try to secure, and which to forgo. A failed harvest, a serious illness, a lost job or political upheaval is often enough to tear a family apart. By the standards of his community, he is well off. But each summer, like most of their neighbors, the Mose family faces hard choices about their future.
Summer is the rainy season, which brings on illnesses, especially malaria.
To keep his family healthy, he needs medicine. Finally, school fees, the largest single household expense, are due. Pull the children from school. Do without medicine. Rent part of your land, thus reducing next year's harvest.