Ensuring Continued Care: The Seniors Feeding Program Replacement Exercise

At Mama Ibado Charity (MIC), we are committed to ensuring no senior in need is left behind. Our seniors feeding program is a lifeline for many elderly individuals living in vulnerable conditions, providing essential food rations to support their health and dignity. However, there are moments when adjustments must be made; when a senior leaves the program due to passing or when their family gains the capacity to support them.

Rather than seeing these changes as endings, we view them as opportunities to extend our support to others in need. Our replacement process is thoughtful and inclusive, ensuring that every decision reflects both respect for those we serve and the evolving needs of our community.

Why Replacements Are Necessary

1. Honoring Lives Passed
   when a senior passes away, we honor their memory by ensuring their legacy of receiving care continues. The support they once received is redirected to another senior who is equally in need.
2. Redistributing Support When Families Are Empowered
   In cases where a senior's family gains the capacity to support them independently, we respectfully transition our resources to seniors who are in more critical situations. This ensures our programs remain focused on reaching the most vulnerable.

How the Replacement Process Works

1. Community-Driven Insights

Our work is deeply rooted in the communities we serve. To ensure we identify seniors most in need, we rely on our network of cluster heads—trusted seniors already in the program who act as liaisons. These cluster heads:

• Regularly check in on their fellow seniors.
• Report back on any emergencies, changes in circumstances, or new cases of need.
• Serve as invaluable informants for identifying other vulnerable seniors in their area.

2. Walk-ins and Recommendations

In addition to the insights from cluster heads, we also accept recommendations from community members and consider seniors who walk into our offices seeking assistance. These cases are logged into our waitlist system, which helps us organize and evaluate each request fairly.

3. Thorough Evaluation Process

Our evaluation process is meticulous and ensures that only those most in need are on boarded. Officers assess:

• Age: Priority is given to seniors aged 60 years and above.
• Income: Most of our beneficiaries live on less than $1 a day.
• Existing Support: We check for the presence of other major entities or programs offering assistance.
• Community Testimonials: Input from local authorities and other community members is taken into account.

4. Approval and Onboarding

Once a senior meets the eligibility criteria, their case is recommended for onboarding. This involves:

• An internal approval process by MIC management.
• Informing the senior about the program and its benefits.
• Gaining consent for periodic visits to ensure donor transparency.
• Providing details on feeding and healthcare schedules.

A Program Built on Compassion and Integrity

This replacement process typically occurs every other month, allowing us to carefully and systematically onboard new beneficiaries. While it’s a logistical undertaking, it is a labor of love that reflects our core mission: to restore dignity, care, and support to as many seniors as possible.

By engaging with the community and evaluating each case individually, we ensure that our programs remain dynamic, responsive, and impactful. Through this approach, we not only honor the lives of seniors who exit the program but also extend a helping hand to those waiting for support.