"As a family of four, we depend on farming to earn a living, which requires irrigation and, consequently, fuel. Purchasing fuel is somewhat expensive, costing $20 per week to irrigate my 2 acres of land. Our alternative source of income is charcoal burning, although it is not always reliable. At the moment, my maize farm is doing well but requires a bit more maintenance. When I receive my transfers, I plan to spend $100 on irrigating my maize farm to ensure a successful harvest and produce food for my family. Additionally, I will spend $200 for school fees for my children in grade 12 and pre-primary 1. The rest of the transfers will go towards clearing a debt for the land I had partially purchased in Ilchurai village. Being able to maintain our farm, ensure my children’s education, and settle our debts gives me a renewed sense of hope and relief. The thought of providing for my family without the constant stress of financial uncertainty brings immense joy and peace of mind."

"Dependence on agriculture as the primary source of income, particularly in drought conditions, presents difficulties, often requiring the use of irrigation. Following a two-year pause, the resurgence of rainfall six months ago provided considerable relief, raising my hopes for abundant yields. Yet, this happiness was fleeting due to heavy rainfall causing flooding in our region. Despite these setbacks, my optimism persists as the rivers are replenished, securing my ability to sustain irrigation for my farm."

"When I enrolled in college three years ago, I hoped to complete my course in supply chain management and eventually graduate. However, this dream was cut short due to a lack of finances to pay for my school fees, forcing me to drop out. Upon returning home, I focused on farming, hoping it would yield positive results. Unfortunately, this endeavor has also been fraught with challenges. Farming here relies solely on irrigation to thrive. Although I own a water pump, the rising price of fuel is straining my finances. My maize crops are now on the verge of drying up because I cannot afford petrol.I have also wished to expand my farming operations, but capital has been a significant challenge. The small-scale farms are not bearing the expected fruits, and I am worried that the losses from this farm might adversely affect my family of three."

"As a family of seven, we often depend on farming for a living. In this area of Longewan, farming relies entirely on irrigation, which is expensive to maintain. For instance, I cultivate 2 acres of land, and per season of three months, I spend up to $300 on it. To raise this amount, I sell my goats, which are unfortunately decreasing in number each season. Maintaining this farm requires a significant amount of finances that I sadly do not have. At times, I am forced to spend most of my time on the farm or even take my family there because I cannot afford to hire labor. The constant financial strain and the need to rely on dwindling livestock to support our farming efforts make it incredibly challenging to sustain our livelihood."

"I am a small-scale farmer working on 2 acres of land, alternating between maize and watermelon. I fully irrigate my crops, although I sometimes face challenges. Recently, I lost all my maize due to floods after investing $70 from my first transfer on land preparation. During the dry season, I also experience water shortages, which makes irrigation unreliable. Additionally, I cleared the fee for my daughter in high school of $120. I've been struggling with school fees because my income is not reliable, and I have three other children in elementary school. My hope was high with the maize crop, thinking it would improve our situation, but sadly, I lost it all. With the remaining $10 from the transfer, I bought vegetable seeds, hoping to plant and get something from it to sustain us."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to acquire an irrigation pump. With the unpredictable weather conditions, the irrigation pump will provide a long-lasting solution to the lack of rain. This will enable me to grow crops throughout the year, ensuring a stable income and the ability to take care of my family. I am happy that the transfers are empowering me financially. Thanks to the transfers, I now have three goats, which are a valuable investment for my future. I am very grateful for the support from the transfers."

"I have been a farmer for almost 10 years now and one of the factors of production that is giving me sleepless nights is capital. I have 2 acres of land that is situated close to a water source. I have been doing irrigation farming on this land for all that time and the cost of production has been increasing regularly. This is because dry periods are longer than rainy ones and as a result, I have to hire a water pump frequently which is quite expensive. On average, I spend close to $50 in hiring one to irrigate the short seasoned crops. This greatly reduces my profit margin in the long run."

"Being a farmer, I intend to prioritize increasing my acreage under farming by leasing additional land. Since I have experience in growing short seasoned crops, I intend to maximize on the available water from River Perkerra and expand on doing irrigation farming on the leased lands. I will inject 50% of my transfer to achieve this and use the remaining amount to sort out my immediate needs like food and household items. By doing this, I will have set myself into going one step up in terms of production or proceeds."

"Coming from an area where irrigation is essential for farming, I have always hoped to own a water pump. Currently, I have to borrow one from my neighbors, but they are often busy and unable to lend it to me. This leads to delays in my farm activities, negatively impacting my produce. When I receive the transfers, I plan to spend $300 on a water pump to ensure my farm runs efficiently. Additionally, I will spend $200 to construct a pit latrine for my family, as we currently use the bushes, which exposes us to diseases. The remaining funds will go towards food and furniture for my family of five, improving our overall living conditions. I will be grateful for the assistance since it will be a boost to my wife's finances. Due to my medical condition, I am unable to fend for the family, and this support will help ease the burden she carries."

"It was getting late in the evening, and I was busy searching for my missing bull, which had not returned home the day before. As I navigated through the rocky hills, my phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. Retrieving it from my pocket, I checked the message to see what it was about. To my surprise, it was a Mpesa message. Opening it, I confirmed the amount and its origin. I could not contain my happiness, as it was exactly what I needed at that moment. I had been worrying about my three acres of maize suffering from a lack of water, as the rains had not arrived yet. I lacked the money to buy petrol for my generator, which needed to pump water from a distant river for irrigation, I felt helpless. But with the money from the Mpesa transfer, my outlook changed instantly. I abandoned my search for the bull and hurried to town to purchase the petrol. By 6:00 PM, I was back and ready to begin irrigating my land. I am incredibly grateful for this timely assistance. It saved my only source of income, which I had already feared losing."