Rahma Hussein Diriye

Born in 1953 in Isiolo County, Rahma Hussein’s life has been shaped by sacrifice and endurance. As a young girl, she spent her days assisting her mother with household chores, unaware that her childhood would soon be cut short. At just 14 years old, she was married off and quickly became a mother to four children—one daughter and three sons.

For years, she devoted herself to her family, while her husband worked in road construction, providing for them. But in 1989, everything changed. Her husband disappeared without a trace, leaving her to raise their young children alone. With no work experience and no safety net, Rahma had to find a way to survive. She turned to buying and selling second-hand clothes, walking from village to village to make a living. It was never easy, but she refused to give up.

As time passed, her children grew up, but none were able to support her. Her daughter disappeared just like her father, leaving Rahma to wonder if she would ever see her again. One of her sons became mentally disabled and bedridden, requiring constant care. Her remaining two sons married, but struggled to make ends meet, unable to provide for their aging mother.
Desperate to sustain herself, Rahma continued her second-hand clothes business, but tragedy struck again. While traveling to Meru to buy stock, she was involved in three different accidents, each one leaving her weaker than before. The last accident fractured her leg, requiring metal implants that left her bedridden. With no family to care for her, she depended on the kindness of well-wishers and neighbors just to survive.

The years of hardship took a toll on her health. Hypertension and diabetes left her body shaking uncontrollably, making even basic tasks unbearable. It was during a Mama Ibado Charity (MIC) assessment that Rahma’s story was heard. Seeing the urgency of her condition, she was enrolled in the feeding and healthcare programs, finally receiving the assistance she had long needed.