Said Omar Juma

Adam Saidi Omar was born on October 2, 1969, in the Amalemba area of Kakamega. He grew up in Shirere Ward within a large, lively family of ten children. As the lastborn, he saw many of his siblings grow up before him, though today only three of them remain to share those early memories.

His journey through school started at Kakamega Muslim Primary and led him to Kakamega Township. By 1987, he had joined Kakamega High School, where he studied hard until finishing his Form Four exams in 1990. He had a deep talent for art and design and even got a spot at Buruburu College, but his dreams of graduating were cut short because there was no money for fees.

After leaving the classroom, Saidi moved to Nairobi to try his luck with any work he could find. He later tried to train as a teacher in Maragua, but the college faced many problems, and he had to leave. For years, he did manual jobs for the Supreme Council and eventually chose to serve his community as a volunteer at the local mosque, a role he held for over twenty years without any pay.

Saidi started his own family in the mid-nineties, but the lack of a steady paycheck made home life very difficult. The heavy pressure of poverty eventually led to a separation from his wife. Despite his own struggles, he also took in the children of his late siblings, often going to bed wondering where the next meal for the little ones would come from.

Everything changed when the Mama Ibado Charity Foundation found him while he was volunteering at the mosque. Seeing his dedication and his need, they placed him in their senior support program. He now receives a regular supply of maize flour, rice, milk, oil, sugar, tea, and porridge flour, which keeps his kitchen full and his heart at ease.

He feels a deep sense of thanks for the foundation because they held his hand when he was most alone. He often prays that they find more supporters so they can help others who are in even tougher spots than he was.

Saidi still requires help because he does not have a formal job and is reaching an age where heavy lifting is no longer possible. Ongoing support is the only way to make sure he stays healthy and continues to live with the respect and care he deserves.