The family lives in Burundi. J is 43 years old and works as a farmer. His wife D is 30 years old and is also a farm labourer. They work on their own agricultural land and live in their own 3-bedroom house. They have been living here for the past 13 years with their 6 children. Their most valuable item in the house is the bed. They dream of one day being able to buy a better house.

The family lives in Burundi. J is 43 years old and works as a farmer. His wife D is 30 years old and she also works as a farm labourer. They work on their own land and occasionally work on other people’s farm too. They have 6 children between 2 and 12 years of age. Their work and income is irregular. The family lives in a 3-room house that they built and own, in addition to some land. They have been living here for 13 years. The house has no electricity. They have their own outside toilet in the yard. D and the children spend 14 hours a week collecting water from a small stream nearby. The family grows 95% of its food, but almost all of their income is spent on buying the rest 5% of their food. They cook with wood and D and the children spend 21 hours a week collecting firewood. Without an income, the family is not able to save or plan to buy anything. Their most valuable item in the house is the bed. One day they hope to be able to fulfil their dream of buying a house.