NJILIMANI JANIPHER MUMBOGA

Jennifer Mboga, currently aged 75, was born in Kaimosi and raised in a household where she was among several siblings. Growing up, her family faced significant financial constraints that dictated the course of her early development. She eventually moved to Kakamega to stay with a relative, marking the beginning of her transition into a life of self-reliance and adaptation in different regions.

Her journey through formal education was cut short after she reached Standard Four, as she was forced to leave school in 1963. The primary reason for her departure was the loss of her parents and the subsequent lack of funds for school fees. With no one left to sponsor her studies and her father no longer working before his passing, the doors to the classroom were closed permanently.

Following her exit from school, Jennifer spent her time at home engaging in domestic chores and seeking manual labor to survive. She eventually moved to the Shitao area, where she took on any available work to contribute to her household and support her relatives. This phase of her life was characterized by physical labor and the constant pursuit of casual jobs to make ends meet.

After getting married, Jennifer was blessed with five children, though she faced the difficult experience of losing three of them, leaving her with two surviving daughters. Life became increasingly demanding as she struggled to raise her family through odd jobs. Despite her hard work, there were many nights when the family had no food, and she lived in a house so dilapidated it lacked even a basic door.

"In the years before this intervention, I was forced to beg for food from neighbors, and my children would often cry themselves to sleep because there was absolutely nothing to eat," says Jennifer Mboga.

Jennifer’s situation improved when she met the team from Mama Ibado, who recognized her dire need and registered her into their support program. Through this breakthrough, she began receiving a steady supply of essential food items, including rice, maize flour, and sugar. This consistent aid ensures that she and her five grandchildren, who live with her, no longer face the looming threat of starvation.

The comparison between her past and current life is stark, as she now has the peace of mind that food will arrive every month without fail. Beyond the nutritional support, Jennifer benefits significantly from health services, visiting the clinic every Thursday for a regular check-up. This medical attention is vital for her at 75 years old, as it provides the physical stability and monitoring she needs to remain active for her grandchildren.

"Being part of this program has transformed my daily existence from a state of constant begging to one of health, dignity, and nutritional security," explains Jennifer Mboga.

Jennifer still requires urgent help because she lives in extreme poverty in a house that lacks a proper door and basic security. She is the sole provider for five grandchildren who are frequently sent home from school due to a lack of fees and basic needs. With no assets or steady income of her own, the continued support of Mama Ibado is the only thing standing between her family and total destitution.