M'NGARUTHA M'MBOROKI

M’Mgarutha M’Mboroki is a 104-year-old elderly man currently living with his daughter, Maria Gacheri Kathurima, who has become his primary caregiver and source of support. Together, they have faced years of hardship, illness, and financial struggle, relying on faith and resilience to survive difficult circumstances.

Maria recalls that life became especially challenging in 2019 when she broke both her leg and hand. The injuries left her unable to work or move around freely, making an already difficult situation even worse. At the time, she says they had no means at all, and survival became uncertain. With her father advanced in age and requiring care, the burden on the household became overwhelming. She remembers a period when they would sometimes sleep hungry because she was unable to go out and look for food due to her injuries. Daily life became a struggle, and meeting even the most basic needs felt impossible.

It was during this difficult season that Maria says God brought help into their lives through Mama Ibado Charity. After visiting the hospital, she later witnessed what she believes was divine intervention when Mama Ibado Charity came to their home to visit her father, M’Mgarutha M’Mboroki. During the visit, the organization assessed his condition and registered him as one of the beneficiaries. From that moment onward, the family began receiving consistent food support, something Maria says transformed their situation significantly.

To this day, the household continues to receive monthly food support from Mama Ibado Charity. The assistance includes essential items such as 4 kg of wheat flour, 1 kg of sugar, 6 packets of milk, 1 liter of cooking oil, porridge, tea leaves, salt, and other food essentials that help sustain them. Maria explains that this support has truly helped them survive during difficult times. She says the food became their source of strength during the period when she was injured and unable to work. Even now, they continue relying on the support to sustain their household and care for her elderly father.

Over time, the food portions were increased, adding more support on top of what they were already receiving. Maria says this consistency has helped restore stability and dignity to their lives. Beyond food assistance, the family also benefits from healthcare support through the charity. Whenever M’Mgarutha is unwell, especially when he develops a cough or other health complications associated with old age, Maria takes him to the clinic at the offices whenever transport is available. On days when she cannot afford transport, she goes alone to explain his condition to the clinical officer and is given medication to bring back home for him.

Maria speaks with deep gratitude about the support they continue to receive. She says they constantly pray for the entire Mama Ibado Charity team and ask God to continue blessing and protecting them for the work they do in supporting vulnerable families. She also remembers watching the charity’s fundraising efforts on television, including the Mount Kilimanjaro hike organized to raise funds for beneficiaries. Seeing such dedication strengthened her appreciation for the organization and the sacrifices being made to support families like theirs.

“We have truly come from far,” Maria says. “Without the food support, I do not know how our situation would be.”

She continues to pray for everyone who supports the charity, asking that they continue helping the organization so it can keep supporting vulnerable elderly people like her 104-year-old father, M’Mgarutha M’Mboroki.

Today, despite the many hardships they have endured, the family continues to hold onto faith, gratitude, and hope for better days ahead.