KANUNAIRI MAKWARO KAREMANU

Kanunairi Makwaro’s story is one of perseverance through hardship, illness, and responsibility. Despite facing years of struggle while caring for vulnerable children and a son living with a mental disability, she continues to hold onto gratitude, faith, and hope for a better future. Before receiving support, Kanunairi says life was extremely difficult. She recalls going through a period of deep struggle where survival itself became uncertain. At the time, she was unwell and living in very challenging conditions.

When the chairlady together with the team from Mama Ibado Charity visited her home, they found her lying in bed sick and unable to continue with daily life as before. She remembers how overwhelmed she felt during that season, describing it as one of the hardest periods of her life. To survive, Kanunairi used to work in construction, breaking stones for income. The work was physically exhausting and dangerous, and she recalls suffering injuries while working, with stones sometimes entering her eyes. Despite the difficult labor, she says the income she earned was still very little and not enough to fully support her household. At home, Kanunairi lives with orphaned children under her care, alongside her son who is mentally challenged. Providing food, healthcare, and shelter for the family became increasingly difficult as her health declined.

Everything began to change when Mama Ibado Charity stepped in to support her. The team helped her and registered her as one of the beneficiaries, giving her access to food support and medical assistance that she says continues to sustain her life to this day. Kanunairi now receives monthly food support, which she says has helped her greatly. The assistance ensures that she and the children in her care are able to eat regularly and survive with dignity. She explains that the support has made a significant difference in her daily life and wellbeing.

In addition to food support, Kanunairi also receives treatment and medication for diabetes. She explains that before receiving help, accessing medication was extremely difficult because diabetes treatment requires money that she often did not have. Today, however, she is able to go to the hospital without paying and receives the medication she needs consistently. She says this support has greatly improved her condition and wellbeing.

“Now I have never had to pay for the medication I need,” she says. “It really helps me because diabetes medication requires money.”

Kanunairi explains that her health has improved over time due to regular meals and access to medication. Although doctors advised her not to continue doing heavy work, she says she now feels much stronger than before because she is able to eat properly and remain full.

“If someone eats and is satisfied, the body becomes strong,” she says.

Despite the support she now receives, Kanunairi still lives in difficult conditions. She explains that she lives with her children in a modest house where some of the children sleep on the floor. She also shares her bed with the children and cooks using firewood. Access to basic needs such as water remains a daily challenge.

Even with these hardships, she speaks with deep gratitude and appreciation for the support she receives from Mama Ibado Charity. Today, Kanunairi Makwaro continues to rebuild her life with renewed strength, sustained by faith, community support, and the compassion extended to her through Mama Ibado Charity.