ABDI FATUMA

Fatuma Abdi was born in 1958 in Kakamega County, she is currently 67 years old. She grew up in a large family of eight children, four boys and four girls, where she was the fourth child and the second daughter.

She attended Township Primary before proceeding to Kaimosi, where she completed her education in 1979.

After her schooling, she moved to Nairobi and found employment as a sales lady, a position she held until her father fell ill with cancer.

Upon his passing, she returned home to care for her mother and take over the responsibilities of the household. Life at home became more complex as she also stepped in to raise the children left behind by five of her siblings who had passed away.

She stayed by her mother’s side, providing care until her mother also departed. Today, Fatma manages a very large household of nine people, which often grows to ten when the grandchildren return from school during holidays. Her dependents include four-year-old twins, a grandchild in grade six, and another in grade eight.

Although she is fortunate to live in a family home where she does not pay rent, she faces constant challenges managing water and electricity bills alongside the immense pressure of providing for so many young ones. Before receiving help, providing adequate food, clothing, and school requirements like textbooks and daily meal, fees was a significant struggle that caused her much worry.

Her situation changed for the better when she became a beneficiary of the Mama Ibado Charity, which now provides her with regular food rations. This nutritional support has been a vital relief, allowing her to occasionally shift her meager resources toward the children's education.

"I receive milk, sugar, ugali and porridge flour, cooking oil, tea leaves, rice, and salt, and it is really helping me." Said Fatuma.

In addition to the food program, she also benefits significantly from the organization's focus on healthcare, which ensures she visits the clinic every Thursday for a regular check-up to monitor her wellbeing. Fatuma is deeply grateful to the foundation and to God for the assistance, particularly the recent increase in food portions that has brought more stability to her home.

She continues to need support because the burden of caring for so many young grandchildren is high, and she struggles to meet the rising costs of school fees and educational materials required to give them a good foundation for the future.