"Six months ago, my wife got sick and was diagnosed with a condition that consumed almost all the assets that we had bought. Livestock was the last to be sold in our field, and since then we had been struggling to purchase milk from the neighborhood. I am glad that even though the hospital bills consumed all the resources we had, my wife got well and now working hard together to bring back what we lost over that period. After the enrollment into this program, we enlisted all that we needed with approximate cost allocated to each item. On top of the list was livestock that I bought in the second week after receiving the transfer. I spent KES37000 on obtaining a heifer calf and a cow that will soon provide enough milk for my family of four. I also constructed a chicken coop after obtaining construction materials at KES3500 and paid the labor cost of KES1000. Poultry rearing has been of great help to us as we have always depended on the eggs collection - the outcome has been useful in sorting household bills. I also added a sack of maize to our food basket and my wife used the remaining amount on buying clothing for our two children."

"I spent part of my first transfer on buying five goats and ten chickens at KES 18000 that I am currently rearing in my compound. This has been my desire to keep them but I couldnt afford them because they are too costly. I later bought some building materials such as buiding poles, timber, nails, and threads. I planned to construct a new house beasue the previous one was very small we couldnt even host a visitor. In addition, I bought a solar panel at KES 3000 which has been of help especially at night. Solar energy is much better than using candles because it is cost-effective. I also paid school fees for my children that are in primary schools. I also saved KES 10000 into my bank account in case of any emergency I will be able to settle it. With the remaining cash, I bought enough food for the family."

"I bought food for my family, two sacks of maize at a total cost of KES6400 because apart from maize meal being our easiest and staple food, it provides some food for both chickens and ducks which is why I preferred buying sacks of maize to maybe a box of maize flour or packets. This gives me peace of mind because we now do not have to worry about where we are going to get food from unlike before. I also intend to buy five goats when the current state of drought and famine improves because it is so risky to buy livestock right now since there are no grass and livestock are dying. Therefore, I have kept aside KES20000 for the five goats that when the climate and weather condition gets better, I will go for the goats because they are also an investment worth having for the future because when they multiply I will be able to sell one or two and address the challenge that I will be facing."

"With the great dependence on farming in our community, being able to till the land, buy certified seeds, plant them, and later harvest has been the greatest happiness we have always had. Even though the process may sound easy, carrying it out from the start to the end demands a lot of inputs. On my side, the greatest challenge had been the cost of cultivation as I have never had the means but always hire from the neighborhood. On receiving the first transfer, I had to obtain a bull at KES25000 that will be paired with the one I had been having to provide the much-needed force at the farm. Oxen to us will not only be beneficial in tilling our pieces of land, but also will be hired out to earn us an extra income. I also invested further in livestock as we had agreed with my spouse to put a larger portion of this money on the projects that will grow to benefit us in the future. I purchased three sheep - one being a ram at KES6500 and two awes both at KES10500. These will be useful in raising school fees for our children in the future, and we can also sell them out to purchase a cow. With the remaining amount, I obtained three chickens at KES1300 and also foodstuff and clothing for my children."

"Additional income to my household is what receiving this money means to me. I have 2 lactating cattle which produce 6 liters of milk for sale at KES 240 daily. I will therefore add one Friesian cow going for KES 40,000, hence an assured KES 150 top-up to my daily income. I will use KES 8,400 of my transfer to clear school fees for my two children in kindergarten. I also intend to initiate poultry keeping, whose income from selling poultry products such as eggs and meat will supplement my earnings from selling milk. I will therefore use KES 10000 to build a modern chicken coop, KES 7000 to fence my compound with wire mesh, and the remaining KES 35,000 to buy chicken."

"In the last six months, I was happy when my husband was able to bring some money home after his casual labours. We were able afford a proper meal of chicken with some nsima. This made me glad. I have also bought a goat that I hope to breed. This makes me feel like my life is improving."

"I received the cash at 9 am. I was tending to my chicken when I received the text message that I had received the money. I became very happy. I quickly told my mother the good news and we all celebrated by ululating. Everybody was happy with the good news."

"My homestead is next to a kindergarten school and everyday during playtime children crossover and play in my compound because I do not have a fence around it. I had flowers planted at the front yard but they have stepped on it and my landscape is not as pleasing anymore. I plan on using KES 15,000 in buying of the fencing materials to secure my compound from intruders. I also plan on purchasing chicken to rear and use when we have food shortage in the house."

"I spent the better part of my first transfer buying two cows. I decided to buy the cows because I wanted to invest in something that will enable me to earn a better source of income. I have been engaging in small-scale farming and rearing a few chickens. Life hasn't been easy because there are so many household needs like buying food and paying school fees for the children. With these cows, I will be able to get a good supply of milk that I can sell and my children can get some to drink."

"Financial instability is a challenge to me at the moment. As a farmer, I cultivate maize, beans, Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes which I harvest twice a year. In most instances, the crops have not been productive because of the harsh climate and periodic invasion of pests and diseases. All through, I have been using the produce to cater for the KES 38800 school fees per year for my children in grade 8, grade 6 and grade 4. Unfortunately, the produce has reduced which impacts negatively on the finances. Therefore, I am forced to work extra through raising chicken besides the support I receive from my husband who is a truck driver."