"Now that my mental health is improving day by day, I have a new goal: to build a two-room house. For so long, I've been sleeping at my mother's house, which I feel ashamed of because both she and I need our privacy. I plan to accomplish this goal by selling one acre of land that my father left behind, with the full support of my family members. I want to heal completely and fulfill this dream. Once I achieve it, I'll finally have the protection I've been missing, and by the time I start my own family, I'll be well-prepared with proper shelter."

"I am a farmer, but I do not have the necessary equipment, like a generator, which is essential for successful farming, especially here in Baringo, where drought is rampant. I have been borrowing from my neighbors, but it is not always available when I need it. Sometimes, I am told that I should buy my own, which can be frustrating because without water, my crops cannot survive during the dry season. To solve this, I plan to purchase my own generator using the proceeds from my acre of land, where I am planning to plant maize. With the income from the maize harvest, I will be able to invest in the generator, ensuring my farm is well-irrigated and productive throughout the year."

"My goal for the coming years is to build a steady income through farming so I can secure my children's education. When I earn from the onions and beans, I plan to reinvest it in more crops, using crop rotation to keep the soil healthy and increase yields. By doing this, I aim to create a reliable source of income to cover school fees and other family needs. Ensuring my children stay in school is my priority, as I believe education is the foundation for a better future. I feel confident that with each season, I’ll be able to support them more steadily. Farming is challenging, but with this plan, I’m hopeful for a brighter future."

"I ran a grocery business that ultimately failed because we had to use the business funds for our basic needs, as it wasn’t generating enough profit to support us. This situation has placed the entire burden on my husband, Safari, who relies on casual jobs that only pay him $1.94 daily. Putting all the responsibilities on him has taken a toll on his mental health due to the insufficient income."

"As a family, we are currently facing several significant challenges, with the most pressing issue being the payment of school fees for my three children. At present, my family relies entirely on me to provide for all our needs, which is increasingly becoming a struggle given the nature of my work. I operate a motorbike taxi, which, while it offers some income, is not sufficient to cover all our expenses adequately. Each of my children's school fees amounts to $40 per term. However, this obligation often becomes overwhelming, especially when I factor in other essential expenses such as food, and healthcare. As the term progresses, there are times when I find it difficult to keep up with these financial commitments. Unfortunately, this has resulted in my children being unable to attend school for over two weeks at times, negatively impacting their academic performance and overall well-being. The stress of trying to balance these responsibilities weighs heavily on me, and I am deeply concerned about the implications for my children's education and future."

"My husband is the only breadwinner for the family. He works in the hotel industry in the housekeeping department. This has not been an entirely dependable source of income to meet our family needs due to the fact that hotel business operates on seasons. The biggest challenge is when it comes to low seasons and my husband is sent off work to await the peak season. This is so much disheartening because the family needs cannot be kept on standby until the peak season comes. Life has changed abruptly. We are struggling with meals, medication and even sanitation. I do not feel happy how my kids walk around dirty and hungry. We are a christian family. Sometimes on Sundays my children fail to attend church services because they did not get soap to wash clothes. I would have really loved to go out somewhere and work on a neighbour's farm to earn some money but as you can see I have a very young baby so I am restricted from casual labour. The situation really disturbs my mind but atleast we are almost coming to the peak season when I will be able to smile again."

"As a family of five, we navigate a multitude of challenges, particularly when it comes to managing school fees and ensuring food security. Among these difficulties, the most pressing is the financial burden of school fees for my five children. Currently, we are required to pay a total of $260 per term for all of them to remain enrolled in school. This amount may seem manageable at first glance, but it represents a significant challenge for us, given our current financial situation. At the moment, our family's income is solely dependent on my husband, who is engaged in casual work. Unfortunately, this type of employment often lacks consistency and reliability, which means that there are times when his earnings do not adequately cover our family's essential needs. This uncertainty adds stress to our day-to-day life, particularly when it comes time to pay school fees. Looking ahead to next year, 2025, the financial demands will increase even further. Two of my children are set to transition to junior secondary school, which comes with higher school fees. This change means that we will need to allocate even more funds for their education, creating an even greater financial strain on our already tight budget. There have been occasions when my children have been unable to attend school for over a week due to outstanding fee arrears. This not only disrupts their education but also negatively impacts their performance in school. The worry of being unable to provide for their educational needs weighs heavily on me and my husband and makes it difficult to focus on finding solutions to improve our situation. Overall, we are seeking ways to alleviate this burden and ensure a stable and supportive environment for our children’s education."

"In my culture, contributing and cooking together as a family unit, irrespective of whether someone has a household, is an important tradition. Financial status doesn't play a role in this practice, which has created a significant burden for my husband Alex and me, as we are the elders in a family of 14. Our income sources are limited, I rely on charcoal burning, which does not provide immediate earnings, while Alex earns by resolving village disputes and serving as the village elder. My current struggles stem from a lack of sufficient finances to adequately feed our family."

"How I wish money could be easy to have and as rampant as leaves on trees. All my six kids are home for the holidays. Our daily food ration has gone significantly higher and we have no job to earn us enough money to cater for food. This means we have to take one course meal a day. Seeing my kids yawn on hunger all day really disturbs my mind. I continously live with stress hoping that rain falls so that our mango fruits could atleast mature, and help sustain us for some days."

"The recent floods devastated my home, which was primarily built with iron sheets and wood. The water ruined most of my belongings, and I was only able to salvage a few items. Since then, it has been a struggle for my family of eight, as we lack adequate shelter. Receiving the transfer was a tremendous relief. With the recent funds, I spent $240 on building materials—10 iron sheets, timber, and nails—to build a single-room shelter for my family. I was also able to install a new door and a window, providing us with a safer and more secure space. In addition, I paid $50 in school fees for my daughter, ensuring that she stayed in class without interruptions. I also used $35 to purchase a small solar panel, which has been invaluable as a reliable source of light for our household. On top of that, I invested $60 in buying a sheep, adding to my existing livestock. I now have three sheep, which I see as an investment for the future, as they can multiply and provide additional support for my family. The remaining amount went towards buying essential food items, like a bag of maize and sugar, which have helped ensure that we have enough to eat."