Caption: Lydia with her husband in their homestead Photo by Victor Birai
For years, Lydia lived with persistent chest complications that affected nearly every part of her daily life. Simple conversations were difficult, work was exhausting, and supporting her family became increasingly challenging. Without access to proper medical care, she relied on over-the-counter medication to manage the pain and discomfort.
Lydia and her husband, Thomas Saidi, were enrolled into the UKR Family Care Program in 2024 in Shikoti Zone. At the time, Thomas was the family’s sole breadwinner, carrying the responsibility of meeting household needs as Lydia’s condition limited her ability to contribute consistently to the family income.
Like many families in rural communities, the cost of healthcare felt out of reach. Lydia had never gone for a medical check-up because she could not afford the high medical expenses.
Through support from United Kenya Rising (UKR), Lydia was able to access medical evaluation for the first time and was diagnosed with asthma. UKR supported the family with an inhaler and initial medication, helping her begin proper treatment and long-term management of the condition.
As her health improved, the family also participated in livelihood interventions aimed at strengthening household resilience. Through multiple income-generating activities, they gradually stabilized their finances and were eventually able to independently pay for their Social Health Insurance (SHA) subscription, an important step toward long-term healthcare security.
Today, Lydia is active and productive again. She earns income through soap making and selling firewood, while the family has also established a thriving kitchen garden that provides a variety of nutritious crops for household use.
Caption : Lydia displaying the soap she made Photo by Victor Birai
According to Farhan, UKR Social Worker serving in Shikoti Zone, Lydia’s transformation has been remarkable.
“Initially, we could not have long conversations with Lydia because she was always in pain. Today, we are able to sit together and discuss future plans, including livelihood opportunities. Seeing the family now pay for SHA on their own is something we are very proud of.”
In addition to the health support, Thomas was also assisted in establishing a fish pond to improve household income and promote a healthier family diet.
Lydia’s journey demonstrates how access to healthcare, combined with economic empowerment, can restore dignity, stability, and hope within families. What began as support for a medical condition has become a pathway toward resilience and self-reliance for the entire household.
