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.

For the last three months, I have used the entire amount of $102 to attend my monthly clinics and buy daily medication for my mental health issues. I developed this condition years ago, and since then, I've been in and out of the hospital. Before GiveDirectly came into my life, I was really struggling because I could no longer work, and my elderly mother was also unable to work. My older brothers have been supporting me, but sometimes they can't afford the medication since they also have their own families to support. This caused me a lot of suffering, and even my neighbours would fear my condition, which made me stay indoors most of the time. Now that I am receiving monthly support, I am more than grateful. I never thought my life could change this quickly. Nowadays, I never miss my clinics or medications, and my condition has improved greatly. I can now connect with my family and neighbours without being treated with fear, as I once was.

In the coming years, my main goal is to build my own house as I currently reside in my mother's home. It’s a modest place, but as an adult, I crave the independence of having a space to call my own. To make this dream a reality, I have devised a plan. Every two months, I will save $12 from the transfers I receive to purchase poles for the structure. By consistently doing this, I aim to gather all the necessary materials before commencing the construction. With determination, I am confident that I will achieve my goal.

I have a medical condition that requires me to pick up medicines every month, so I always make sure to allocate $20 for that purpose. With the last three transfers totaling $102, I used $60 to cover the cost of my medicines for three months. This has been a huge relief because it means I no longer have to worry about how to pay for them each month. My sister, who has been helping me with these expenses, can now focus on other things, knowing that the transfers are taking care of my medical needs. After securing my medication, I used $30 to buy food. Since I relied on my sister and the transfers for support, this money ensured we had enough to eat. Finally, with the remaining $12, I bought three chickens as an investment. These chickens will eventually provide eggs and perhaps more chicks, which will help me earn some income. I am delighted because these transfers have eased the medical burden on my sister, giving her more freedom to manage other responsibilities.

I have decided to allocate my upcoming transfers towards purchasing more medicinal drugs to manage my mental illness. These medications are crucial in preventing the frequent recurrence of my condition and maintaining my overall well-being. Additionally, having funds set aside will provide me with peace of mind, knowing that I can cover any hospital bills in case I need to undergo further check-ups or treatment. I am profoundly grateful for the financial support I have received from the transfers, as it has been instrumental in helping me manage my mental health condition. This assistance has provided me with the means to access necessary medications and healthcare services, ultimately contributing to my overall stability and well-being.

For the past two years, I have been grappling with a recurring mental illness that has significantly impacted my ability to work and provide for myself. During this time, I have been in and out of Potreez Mental Hospital, receiving specialized treatment to manage my condition. With my inability to work, I rely on my mother, who is a subsistence farmer, for sustenance. However, the challenging farming conditions in our village over the past four seasons have made our situation even more precarious, and we heavily depend on the financial assistance from the transfers for our survival. In February of this year, my mental health took a turn for the worse, necessitating a visit to the mental hospital for urgent treatment. I was admitted for three days, and upon my release, I settled the hospital bill amounting to $34 using the funds from the transfers. Additionally, I allocated the remaining $64 towards purchasing the medicinal drugs prescribed by the doctor. I am relieved to be back home and to report that my mental condition has improved significantly. I am deeply grateful for the assistance provided by the transfers, as they have played a crucial role in ensuring that I receive proper medical care despite our impoverished circumstances. The transfers have been a lifeline for me during this challenging period, and I am immensely thankful for their impact on my health and overall quality of life.

Moving forward, my primary focus is to prioritize my mental health and ensure that I have access to all the necessary medication required for my recovery. My goal is to achieve full recovery and resume working so that I can support my aging mother. The financial assistance that I have received has been a tremendous help, significantly contributing to my overall well-being. I am genuinely grateful for the support I have received, as it has made a significant difference in my life.

Earlier this year, I fell ill, and unfortunately, my condition exacerbated, negatively impacting my mental health. Consequently, I dedicated a significant portion of this year to receiving treatment in Mombasa town. After making considerable progress, I have now returned home, although I still require medication to manage my condition effectively. To obtain the necessary medicinal drugs, I utilized $50, which I am grateful for, as it relieved the financial burden associated with purchasing them. Additionally, I allocated $48 towards purchasing food, aiming to assist my hardworking mother, who is a subsistence farmer, in providing for our family. The financial support has been invaluable, enabling me to acquire the expensive medicinal drugs that have played a vital role in my recovery. My family is immensely relieved as they no longer bear the sole responsibility of purchasing these drugs, thanks to the transfers from Give Directly.

In the coming year and beyond, my aspiration is to become a livestock owner, particularly raising goats and turkeys. My health has been in decline due to epilepsy seizures, impacting my ability to work and provide for myself. As a result, meeting my own needs has become challenging. My mother, a single parent, has been shouldering the responsibility of caring for both me and my mentally unwell brother. Her resources have been significantly drained due to the absence of any income that could have alleviated our financial burdens. Acquiring livestock holds a crucial significance for me. It would grant me access to tangible assets that I could readily rely upon during financial uncertainties, such as covering my medical expenses. This will reduce the need for constant reliance on my parents' assistance, as I will have the option to sell the livestock to address my financial requirements.

I express my heartfelt gratitude to GiveDirectly for their invaluable assistance that played a pivotal role in covering the costs of my medication following a series of epilepsy seizures. My hospitalization took four months, and I am acutely aware that managing the medical expenses during this period would have been an immense challenge for my family. As the dependent of a single parent engaged in subsistence farming with limited income prospects, the burden of these medical expenses would have likely driven us to explore desperate measures, perhaps even resorting to fundraising to access the treatment I desperately needed. Throughout the entirety of my medical ordeal, the transfers were instrumental in addressing my healthcare needs. The relief and joy I feel at having regained my health are immeasurable. Had it not been for these transfers, my access to treatment would have been significantly delayed, and I am left to ponder how I would have managed to raise the necessary funds under such circumstances. Moreover, the knowledge that I would continue to receive these monthly transfers for my treatment while I was in the hospital provided me with a sense of hope and assurance throughout my healing journey.