Janipher Imbosa Margaret

Janipher Imbosa Margaret was born in Senjende, a village in the Shinyalu area of Kakamega County, in 1953.

Janipher's education at Muranda School was cut short after her elder sister became pregnant while still in school; her father became furious. He believed that educating girls was a waste of time and resources. As a result, he forbade all his daughters from attending school, resorting to beatings and even physically removing them from their classrooms if they dared to defy him.

Forced to abandon her education, Janipher stayed at home to assist with household chores. Her days were filled with tasks like fetching water from the river, collecting firewood from the surrounding forests, and helping her mother with cooking and cleaning.

Later in life, Janipher married and settled in Bukulunya. Together, she and her husband had sixteen children, a testament to their strong bond and shared dreams. Sadly, life took a cruel turn when her husband passed away, leaving her as the sole caregiver for their large family.

Raising sixteen children was an immense challenge. Janipher worked tirelessly to provide for them, often facing immense hardship and sacrifice. Sadly, of those sixteen children, only five are still alive today—three sons and two daughters. One of her sons lives in Lubao but suffers from a debilitating illness that prevents him from working. Another son has found employment in town, while her two daughters are married and have families of their own.

To provide for her family, Janipher would venture into the forest to gather firewood, which she would carry to town to sell. She also worked as a washerwoman, doing laundry for others to earn a small income. The money she earned was barely enough to cover their basic needs, but she persisted, fueled by her unwavering love for her children.

As the years passed, Janipher's health began to decline. Her leg started to swell, causing her increasing pain and making it difficult for her to walk.

One morning, Janipher woke up feeling extremely ill. She collapsed and lost consciousness. Her daughter found her and immediately called for help. Jennifer was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, but due to a lack of funds, the hospital staff turned her away without providing any medical assistance. Forced to return home in a weakened state, Jennifer's condition continued to worsen.

A glimmer of hope appeared when Janipher learned about Mama Ibado. The local assistant chief, recognizing her dire situation, visited her home and registered her for the program.

Thanks to this intervention, Janipher now receives regular assistance from Mama Ibado, including essential food items such as flour, rice, sugar, milk, vegetable oil, and sacks of flour. This support has been a lifeline for her, providing much-needed sustenance and easing her worries about putting food on the table.

While she is profoundly grateful for the help she receives, Janipher still faces immense challenges in meeting her daily needs and accessing adequate medical care. Any additional support would greatly contribute to her well-being and enable her to live out her remaining years with greater comfort and dignity.