Caring for Our Seniors: A Day in the Life of seniors’ Welfare Assessments

At the core of our work at Mama Ibado Charity (MIC) is a commitment to the welfare of seniors. We strive to ensure that every intervention we design brings meaningful and tangible improvements to their lives. One of the ways we ensure this is through senior assessments; a critical initiative where we engage directly with the seniors we serve to gather feedback, understand their challenges, and strengthen our interventions.

Seniors assessments are more than routine check-ins; they are an opportunity to build trust and ensure our programs remain responsive to the evolving needs of our beneficiaries. These assessments help us:

• Evaluate the impact of our seniors feeding and seniors’ healthcare
• Identify any pressing issues, such as housing conditions or unmet medical needs.
• Foster a deeper connection with seniors and their families through meaningful conversations.

Our goal is ambitious but vital: we aim to reach at least 50 seniors per month in Isiolo County and 30 seniors per month in Kakamega County, creating a steady feedback loop that ensures no senior is left behind.

Mama Ibado staff interacting with a Senior during a scheduled visit

Today, our mission takes us to Isiolo County, specifically to Bula, a vibrant community where many of our beneficiaries reside. With the agenda set to visit five seniors, we hop into the trusty MIC vehicle, mapping out our route to make the most of the day.

The weather looks unpredictable, with dark clouds hinting at rain. To ensure we complete our visits, the team decides to cap interactions at 40 minutes per senior; enough time to have meaningful conversations without being caught by the downpour.

Upon arriving at the first senior’s home, we’re greeted warmly. As one officer begins a walkthrough of the compound, inspecting the senior's living conditions, the second officer engages in conversation, asking detailed questions about:

• Food rations: Are they sufficient, quality, and timely?
• Healthcare conditions: Are they of good health and if not what ailments require urgent medical attention?

This senior, like many others, expresses gratitude for the support but also points out challenges with their home’s infrastructure; issues the team notes for follow-up. With smiles and heartfelt farewells, we move on to the next household.

Each visit follows a similar rhythm: warm greetings, open discussions, careful observations, and goodbyes. These moments reveal both the successes of our interventions and other needs that still need addressing. The feedback collected will guide our next steps, ensuring our programs are continuously refined and impactful.

Five hours later, the team wraps up, having visited all five seniors as planned. Despite the looming rain, the day is a success. These conversations not only reaffirm the importance of our work but also remind us of the resilience and dignity of the seniors we serve.

Senior assessments are at the heart of our mission to improve the quality of life for seniors in Isiolo and Kakamega Counties. These visits bridge the gap between program design and real-life impact, ensuring our seniors feel seen, heard, and cared for.

For the MIC team, it’s not just about ticking boxes or meeting quotas. It’s about building relationships, understanding lived experiences, and making every intervention count. After all, every senior deserves not just to survive but to thrive with dignity and care.

As the day in Isiolo comes to a close, we reflect on the stories shared, the smiles exchanged, and the hope renewed. This is why we do what we do—because at the heart of Mama Ibado Charity is the unwavering belief that every senior matters.