MULAMA ELIMINA ASAMI

Elemina Asami Mulama is a 73-year-old woman who was born in Eregi. She grew up in a busy household as one of many siblings, learning the value of hard work from a young age. Her early life in Eregi was simple, centered on the daily routines of a rural family home.

She attended school in her home village of Ereki, where she managed to study until she reached class eight. After finishing her primary education, she remained at home because there were no further opportunities or funds to continue her studies. She spent three years helping her family with domestic duties before transitioning into the next stage of her life.

Upon leaving school, Elemina dedicated her time to farm work and supporting her parents. She spent her days tilling the land and performing manual labor to ensure the family had enough to eat. This period of her life was defined by the physical demands of the shamba and the responsibilities of a young woman at home.

She eventually got married and moved to Shitao, where she was blessed with ten children. Life was a constant struggle as she and her husband relied entirely on subsistence farming to feed their large family, often facing days when food was very scarce. After her husband passed away in 2004, the burden became even heavier, leaving her to raise the children alone while mourning five of her children who also passed away.

Elemina learned about the Mama Ibado Charity through a close friend and neighbor who recognized her dire situation. This friend took her details and helped her through the registration process, which included home visits and documentation. Now, as a registered beneficiary, she receives essential supplies like maize flour, rice, sugar, cooking oil, salt, tea leaves, and milk every month.

Life has improved significantly compared to the past because she no longer has to worry about basic survival every single day. The stress of providing for her daughter and grandchildren who live with her has decreased, allowing her to save her small energy for other family needs. Beyond the food, she also benefits from medical check-ups every Thursday, ensuring her health is monitored as she ages.

"Having access to regular medical care and consistent nutrition has given me the strength to remain a pillar for my grandchildren," says Asami.

Despite this life-changing support, Elemina still needs help because her surviving children have no stable jobs and struggle to provide even small amounts of money for her extra needs. She relies on continued assistance to ensure that her family remains healthy and housed in their fragile situation.