Good morning, everyone! I shared some simple tips and tricks to keep in mind during your home inspection over on Make Money Your Way. You can check it out for more details.
At Savvy Scot, we’re continuing our lifetime savings series, focusing on what you should prioritize in your 40s. Feel free to read more there.
Since starting Make Money Your Way last July, I pledged to donate 10% of my blogging income to support children’s education in my village. As mentioned in my last update, I awarded two scholarships to the best middle school students so they can attend high school 150 miles away for the next three years.
Boarding school costs about $2,500 per kid per year, totaling $15,000 for three years. To cover this, I need to earn $150,000 from blogging.
Additionally, I want to help younger girls attend primary and middle school. Many lack the basics like shoes, uniforms, and supplies, which cost around $30-50 per child. A complete school kit for a teenager costs $45, which is a week’s salary here.
Here’s the money I’ve collected so far from 10% of my monthly income:
– July: $404
– August: $253
– September: $297
– October: $357
– November: $269
– December: $462
– January: $329
– February: $634
Total: $3,005. Plus, $2,550 from reader donations. THANK YOU for your support!
So far, my $5,555 fund has been spent as follows: $2,196 on school supplies and initial boarding school tuition.
Boarding School Scholarships
The kids are enjoying boarding school. They’ve made friends, attended classes, and might go on a field trip around Easter. The school is remote, so they need a taxi to the bus station to visit home, which is expensive. They can leave once a month but prefer to stay to avoid travel costs.
I paid $464 for the next month’s tuition after confirming their commitment. They also sent a long list of school supplies urgently needed, which was frustrating. Luckily, my neighbor dropped off the supplies for $133.
One student headed to Guatemala City for a school trip, costing $150, and a girl wanted to visit the Caribbean coast for $45. I suggested she could instead visit home three times for the same amount. She chose family visits, so I’m sponsoring her bus trips for the next three months.
Computer Literacy
To secure a job in the future, kids need computer skills. In February, I brought back four laptops—two donated by readers, one from my old collection, and one bought at Walmart for the project. Totaled $918 with shipping and fees.
Primary School Kids
I spent $160 on primary school kits and leftover supplies were given to the headmistress to distribute. Despite a teachers’ strike delaying school start, they’re now back.
For now, I’ll continue with $500 monthly tuition payments, with extra funds saved for the next school year or for more laptops if the project goes well.
Summary
I’ve pledged/donated a total of $5,555 and spent $4,066, leaving $1,489. Thanks again for your support and encouragement!
