Ashoya Paulina Motoni

Paulina Ashoya Motoni was born in Kakamega in 1949. Like many girls of her generation, her access to education was limited. Her pursuit of schooling was cut short early in childhood, not by lack of ambition, but by her own father, who believed her value lay in marriage. He sold Paulina and her sisters off in exchange for wealth, receiving six cattle for the transaction.

Life After Loss
Forced into marriage, Paulina's husband, an older man, died just three months later. Left widowed with a young son, she was compelled to return to her father’s house. However, as her son grew, married, and then tragically passed away with his wife, Paulina was left to raise two young orphaned grandchildren. This was too much for her father, who, after becoming "unbearable," demanded she leave with the children.

With two dependents and nowhere to go, Paulina faced immense challenges just to survive and provide food for her family. She was forced to seek menial work, first as a house help in Webuye. Even this small stability was short-lived when her father continued to harass her employer for money, forcing her to abandon the job. Determined to feed her grandchildren, she took on harder, more demanding labor, including rigorous sand harvesting. This harsh work inflicted a lasting injury—a chronic chest problem that is now a defining condition of her life.

Finding Hope and Health
Paulina's struggle did not go unnoticed. Her plight caught the attention of the Mama Ibado Charity (MIC), which quickly stepped in to offer crucial support.

She now receives essential domestic foodstuffs, including rice, flour, and cooking oil, which has replaced the constant, grinding fear of hunger and allowed her to "wear a smile and lead at least like other Kenyans."

Beyond food, Paulina is also benefiting significantly from the Charity's focus on her health. She receives medical support to manage her chronic chest condition, including weekly visits to the clinic every Thursday for a check-up. This regular care is vital for monitoring the damage caused by years of hard labor and ensuring she can remain strong enough to care for her family.

 "I pray for Mama Ibado for good health and long life," Paulina says, her gratitude clear and heartfelt.

At 76, Paulina has endured forced marriage, loss, displacement, and illness while single-handedly raising two generations. With a chronic chest condition and the sole responsibility for her orphaned grandchildren, Paulina needs help to ensure her remaining years are not spent in painful struggle, and that her grandchildren have the stability they deserve. Her continued reliance on external support for medical care and basic sustenance highlights her urgent need for long-term assistance.