"The primary challenge Iam currently grappling with is the lack of financial resources to secure a piece of land for my family. We were displaced by the rising waters of Lake Baringo two years ago, and due to limited means, we had no choice but to temporarily borrow a small parcel of land. Unfortunately, this arrangement has left us in a precarious situation, as we are unable to undertake any meaningful development on the land because it does not belong to us. The uncertainty and lack of permanence have made our living conditions uncomfortable and challenging."

"My mud-walled house partially collapsed during the heavy rains we experienced in early April. To keep the house warm at night, I had to cover the collapsed section with pieces of polythene and old nets. Upon receiving my transfers, I spent $20 to purchase 33 new building poles to repair the damaged part of the house. I paid the mason $15 for his services, ensuring that the repairs were done properly and that the house was safe for us to live in. I also purchased two pieces of iron sheets for $20, which I used to replace the old and rusty ones that often let rainwater seep into the house. I am very happy that my house is now in good condition, and I feel at peace knowing that it is safe and secure. With the remaining $47, I purchased food, ensuring that my family had enough to eat. As I have no stable source of income, selling charcoal provides very little, and the earnings are not enough to cover all the essential needs of my family. My son, who works as a motorcycle taxi rider, is also struggling financially. The financial support from the transfers has been a significant boost for us, helping to ensure that we can purchase enough food for the family."

"I heavily depend on my son, who works as a casual laborer selling borehole water in Mombasa town. With a family of his own to care for, the financial burden he carries is immense. To help ease his responsibilities, I spent $20 to pay school fees for my grandchild, ensuring they could stay in school and continue their studies without interruption. I also used $16 to purchase food, making sure the family had enough to eat, and we never lacked thanks to the transfers. To secure my financial future, I decided to invest part of the transfers in livestock. I spent $22 to purchase three hens and $34 to buy a goat. This investment is crucial for me as it offers a way to generate income independently. I am optimistic that in a few months, the hens will multiply, providing an opportunity to sell some and earn money. This will help me take care of myself without relying too much on my son. I am very grateful for the financial support, which has significantly improved my quality of life."

"My goal for the coming year and beyond is to invest in livestock. With the uncertainties surrounding the climatic conditions, I can no longer rely on farming alone. Livestock is a more dependable way for me to make a living. I plan to use the money I’m saving in the savings group to purchase more animals by the end of the year. As my livestock numbers grow, I’ll be able to sell them at the market for a profit, which will help me meet my family’s essential needs. Additionally, I want to purchase a larger water tank to store water for use during the dry season."

"Once a farmer, always a farmer. Despite the challenges, I am truly elated by the favorable climate in Meisori, where crops thrive every three months. Even though flooding has been a major issue and my farm was once swallowed by the expanding Lake Baringo, I have never lost hope. I am determined to return to farming. This time, I plan to lease land on higher ground where flooding is rare but water is still available. I intend to spend $800 to sow tomatoes on a 1-acre plot. My goal is to generate income to support my family of four and regain my financial status. I will be immensely grateful for the chance to get back on my feet and provide for my loved ones once more."

"Lake Baringo has been extending over the last decade, and we lost our farm land. Due to this, we moved to higher ground which is less fertile. It's rocky and no access to river or lake water for irrigation. This has affected my ability to provide food for my family. The persistent drought means zero yields for us. We no longer farm. I depend on manual jobs such as planting, harvesting or weeding farms. Farming is costly due to the massive piping and huge pumps needed to pump lake water. Outsiders have come to the village and do farming giving us manual jobs. They pay $3.50 per day, and we hardly find these jobs. This has affected our ability to buy food. We hardly have two meals a day."

"I'm facing a lot of challenges currently including a lack of money to sustain my household and pay school fees for my four children. Nonetheless, the challenge that is most pressing is the flooding that recently hit our village. The flood water destroyed our farmland and crops which has affected our food supply and also money since we intended to sell the produce from the farm. We are now feeling the impact of the floods since we don't currently have hope of getting money to pay for our children's schools fees."

"Our village together with surrounding villages have the advantage of being positioned close to Lake Baringo. With sufficient water, farmers grow tomatoes through irrigation. This has become a source of our livelihood since we earn income through providing casual labor in these farms. I am happy because I earn a daily income($3) to buy food for my family."

"For the last three years, it hasn't rained, and when there is no rain, life becomes very hard. The prices of commodities become very high, making the cost of living unbearable. This is all due to the lack of sufficient rain, which we rely on to plant our crops. Without rain, we face shortages or even a complete lack of food.My husband and I used to depend on casual jobs, where we could earn $2 per day, which is very little to cover even our daily needs. With six children and significant expenses, it was difficult to make ends meet.Upon receiving my last transfer, I used all of the $450 to invest in planting tomatoes. Growing tomatoes requires a lot of capital, and I used the money for various purposes: fencing the farm, purchasing seeds, pesticides, hiring laborers, and buying fuel for the generator to pump water to my farm. The main reason I chose to plant tomatoes is that I know they will yield a high income, which will help me cover many expenses at home and fund other important projects, like building a good home. I can say that life has become much easier since we received the cash, and I am very appreciative."

"As a herb doctor, the income I earn primarily covers basic needs like school fees and food for my wife and children, leaving little for anything beyond the essentials. This has made it difficult for me to pursue other projects, such as installing a water tank, a necessity inspired by the persistent water scarcity in my region. Having a water tank would allow me to harvest and store rainwater for extended periods, providing a more reliable water source. My goal is to install an underground tank with a capacity of at least 5000 litres. I hope to achieve this early next year, which would mean no more long treks to fetch water. Additionally, I plan to sell the stored water to my neighbours, creating a new source of income."