People live in many different types of homes. Some people live in homes that are built to last a long time. Others live in homes that are temporary and don't last long.

This book is about a temporary homestead called a manyatta, which is made up of traditional huts.

This manyatta is in north-central Kenya, in Samburu County. Sisters Sidai and Naeku share a hut, and their parents and baby brother share a hut.

Their uncle and three older brothers stay in the other huts, along with their families.

The families graze their cattle together and help each other. They don't stay in one place for very long. They move to find new grazing areas for the cattle.

Around the manyatta is a fence of thorn branches. This fence keeps in the cattle and keeps out strangers.

"We begin the building process by collecting materials from our environment. We gather tree branches to build the basic structure of the hut," says Sidai.

Naeku adds, "We know how to use natural materials to create our homes. Everyone in the manyatta helps with building."

"We use bigger branches to make a strong frame for the walls. We tie the roof frame to the wall frame with climbers, making a sturdy frame for the whole hut," explains Sidai.

"The huts have low roofs, making it harder for the wind to blow them over," adds Naeku.

Sidai continues, "Once the frame of the hut is standing, we weave thin branches in between the thicker branches."

Naeku adds, "We create thick layers of grass and tie them on to the roof frame. This is called thatching."

"Good thatching protects us from rain and sun," adds Sidai.

Sidai adds, "The roofs of our huts can be flat or round."

Naeku says, "Plastering is my favourite part of building. We mix mud and dung to make a natural plaster. We pack this plaster into the wall frame, filling the spaces. This helps to keep out wind and sand."

Sidai continues, "Packing plaster into the walls seals them once those walls are dry. We also plaster the surface of the walls. Dried plaster is hard and strong."

Naeku adds, "There are no windows in the walls, but our hut has a wooden door."

"Plastering the walls insulates the hut," says Sidai. "What does 'insulate' mean?" asks Naeku.

"Mud and dung walls help to keep the hut cool inside when it's hot outside. In cooler weather, the walls help to keep us warm inside by holding in the fire's heat," replies her sister.

"Everyone in the manyatta helps to build, and we all help to take apart the huts when we move.

It's not difficult to take apart the structures and use the parts again in a new place," Sidai explains.

"Our building materials are light, so it is easy to transport them. We use camels or donkeys to carry any useful materials from our old manyatta. For example, the thatched roof," says Sidai.

"We can also collect more building materials from the environment in the new place," adds Naeku.

"Our home suits the way that we live, which is to move around with our herds," says Sidai.

"Moving around means we can't always go to school with our friends," says Naeku.

"Our school lets us borrow books, and we try to keep up with schoolwork," adds Sidai.