Richard Nandi

Richard Nandi was born on April 7, 1943, and spent his early years living with his parents.

When he reached school-going age, they enrolled him at Bukulunya Primary School during the colonial era. He was a bright student who performed well in his primary classes in 1957 and 1958, which allowed him to join Shikoti Intermediate School in 1959. He studied there for about two years, but during his third year, he was forced to drop out because he lacked the money for school fees.

After leaving school, he returned to his village in Bukhulunya and eventually moved to town in search of a job. Once he felt he was old enough, he got married and started a family.

He and his wife had eight children in total, consisting of five daughters and three sons. Sadly, life became very difficult as five of his children passed away, leaving him with only three daughters.

These surviving daughters eventually married and moved away to establish their own homes, leaving Richard without any sons or immediate family members to provide for him, especially since his wife had also passed away.

Before finding help, his life was a constant struggle against hunger, and he believes that without assistance, the lack of food would have claimed his life. His situation changed when he met the team from Mama Ibado Charity, who took him into their care. Through the Mama Ibado seniors feeding program, he now regularly receives essential supplies such as maize flour, sugar, rice, cooking oil, and salt, ensuring he no longer suffers from the pain of an empty stomach.

He is deeply thankful for this support and says that if it were not for Mama Ibado, he would not be alive today. He offers his heartfelt gratitude and prays that the organization continues its work and expands its reach to help other elderly people who are suffering just as he was.

Richard continues to need this help because he is an elderly man living alone without any children nearby to support him, making the food and medical care from Mama Ibado his only lifeline for survival.