The idea was simple: we all know December is coming, so why not start saving for it now?
Every year we complain that Christmas is expensive, and then January arrives with school fees, leaving many of us broke. So I asked a few Tanzanian friends in Nairobi whether we could do something about that. Five of us agreed. Every month we contribute to the kitty, and the money is invested in an index fund. At the end of the year, we dissolve the kitty and each of us has enough money to enjoy Christmas without the usual financial stress.
It has now been running for five years. Some members have left, others have joined, but the idea has endured. What started as a practical solution to a predictable problem has become a small proof of concept: that discipline, structure, and a little coordination can turn a financial complaint into a financial habit.