"It was during the commencement of the planting season when I received the final transfer from GiveDirectly. I was committed to investing the entire sum into a profit-yielding venture with enduring benefits. I leased a 2-acre parcel of land at $100 and promptly initiated the land preparation. The plowing phase incurred an expense of $60, while the subsequent tilling and harrowing amounted to $100. During this period, I spent $30 on food provisions to the hired labor force. Since I already possessed all the necessary inputs, I proceeded to plant without any additional cost. Given the limited rainfall, I combined the remaining $160 with my savings to purchase a water pumping generator, facilitating consistent irrigation throughout the growth cycle of the maize plantation. As a single mother of four children, it was a demanding endeavor to prioritize intensive farming over other needs, but I am content with the outcome - a harvest of 17 sacks, each weighing 90 kg. Presently, I am in the process of drying the maize, preparing to bring it to the market and utilizing the proceeds to fulfill various needs I had initially foregone, including payment of school fees for my three children. It was unfortunate that, my elder daughter had a miscarriage and was admitted in recent weeks, resulting in a medical expenditure of $250 from my savings. I am relieved that she has been discharged and is recuperating at home."

"Amidst the harsh and prolonged drought that grips our community for the better part of the year, goat farming has remarkably thrived, capturing the attention of many households seeking to invest their hard-earned money. The resilience of goats, which subsist on shrubs and thicket leaves, makes this venture irresistible, particularly for those of us residing on arid and rocky terrain, where farming space is limited even with available irrigation methods. From the very first transfer I received to the most recent one, goat farming stood out as my preferred investment choice. In a nearby market, a national goat auction takes place each December, with goats typically fetching an average of $117 as per the previous auction records. With this in mind, I combined the second and third transfers, amounting to $900, to acquire 28 goats, comprising 22 males and 6 females. Presently, my focus lies on fattening this newly acquired herd and supplementing the existing count of more than 50 goats in preparation for the December sale. The proceeds from this endeavor are meant to purchase a piece of arable land within our immediate community, where I intend to engage in subsistence farming to provide ample food for my family of eight."

"While juggling various considerations upon receiving the previous three transfers, I also recognized the importance of effective prioritization to ensure that essential projects took precedence. Adhering to this principle, I dedicated the most recent transfer towards agricultural pursuits, initially allocating $35 to prepare an acre of land, and subsequently investing in seedlings for tomato farming valued at $350 once the land was ready. I additionally absorbed a transportation expense of $30 to bring the seedlings from a source in Naivasha. Presently, I am pleased to note that the remaining funds have been pivotal for on-field management tasks such as spraying, topdressing, and irrigation, often involving water pumping. While this choice meant temporarily setting aside other significant endeavors like constructing a larger, more modern dwelling to replace my current modest one, I decided to fully channel the most recent transfer into farming, anticipating a favorable yield come harvest time. Through the ensuing proceeds, I aim to initiate the construction of a new home suitable for my family of three."

"As I continue to work towards covering the school fees of my two children, who are currently enrolled in secondary school, my aspirations for the upcoming year and beyond involve an expansion of my agricultural endeavors beyond my current focus on goat farming. My goal is to lease an additional parcel of land that offers access to water for irrigation. While I recognize the substantial investment required for leasing and implementing irrigation, my plan is to secure a plot in close proximity to major rivers, albeit a bit distant from my current residence. This strategic location would enable me to reduce expenses associated with purchasing numerous pipes and engaging in extensive water pumping from the river to the farm. To fund this venture, I intend to utilize proceeds from the sale of some of the goats, along with the savings I have accrued from my ongoing small-scale farming activities."

"Throughout the year, our community has grappled with a relentless drought, making it exceedingly challenging to plan ahead, especially in terms of farming. Despite its pivotal role as our primary livelihood, the unpredictable weather and insufficient resources for irrigation have subjected us to hardship. In the upcoming year and beyond, my aspirations revolve around initiating the preparation of my acre-sized plot and ensuring a timely planting. This will enable me to effectively manage all cultivation practices, encompassing irrigation, spraying, and eventual harvesting. I intend to divide the land into three sections: one dedicated to maize, another to tomatoes, and the last to vegetables. I gear all these to guarantee ample sustenance for my family of nine while also generating surplus produce for sale within our immediate community, thereby generating income."

"Sometimes in April, we received a substantial amount of rainfall and it was a great blessing for us. It rained at a time when we had experienced a prolonged drought that had greatly affected our livestock, also the seasonal river Wesekes had dried up and we had lack water that we normally use for irrigation. We were able to plant food crops from the onset of rainfall and we are now harvesting maize crops, we are currently food secure and we are extremely happy."

"Looking ahead, I want to put more concentration on my tomato farming. Right now, I work on half an acre of land, but I aim to expand that to one acre by leasing the extra half. I also want to strategize to gain a strong footing in a competitive irrigation system, which is crucial for successful farming in our area. With this coordinated effort, I expect to have a bountiful harvest from it, which will bring in a good income that will enable me to pay for my children's school tuition. I have a child in college and four others in secondary school. With a bigger and better farm, I'm confident that I can achieve this goal and give my family a brighter future."

"In the coming years and beyond, my strategy will involve saving a larger portion of the profits from my tomato farming endeavors. Furthermore, I have intentions to sell a portion of the goats that I've invested in. This strategic move is aimed at accumulating sufficient funds that will enable me to purchase a fertile acre of land, ideally located near a river. This choice of land will facilitate irrigation practices, which are crucial for optimizing crop yield. Owning the land will also provide me with the freedom to engage in farming without the constraints of leasing and the associated expenses, as well as the restrictions imposed by a landowner on usage."

"Increased changes in the climate has caused a lot of challenges for me. The greatest of the challenges is lack of food. Changes in weather patterns and lack of enough irrigation water has led to low productivity and therefore lack of enough food. My husband and I have to do menual work which is scarce to be able to make ends meet which very difficult."

"The challenge that I'm facing at the moment is hunger. Because of changes in climate and lack of enough water for irrigation, our farms have not been productive which has led to low food supply and a lack of money for basic needs. This has affected us greatly since we've been forced to sell our livestock to pay school fees and also purchase food. Live has been very challenging."