Shaffy Ramadhan Yakub

Born 68 years ago in Amalemba, Kakamega, Mzee Shaffy Ramadhan Yakub’s early life was overshadowed by poverty. From a young age, he yearned to break free from his family's struggles, dreaming of a better future.

That dream began to take shape when he enrolled at Township Primary School. For a while, it seemed like a new path was opening before him. But the harsh reality of his family's financial situation soon caught up. Unable to afford school fees, Mzee Shaffy was forced to drop out, his education cut short far too soon. He later attempted to pursue training as a religious teacher, clinging to hope, but that path, too, closed before it could fully begin.

A ray of hope emerged when he secured work as a subordinate staff member at the surveyor's office in Kakamega. For the first time, he could begin to provide for himself. Yet, his progress was halted once again, this time by retrenchment. He returned home, burdened by uncertainty and with little to show for his efforts.
Life’s greatest test came after the death of his parents.

Left as the sole provider for his five children, Mzee Shaffy took on any work he could find, from odd jobs to manual labor,  all in a determined effort to put food on the table. But as the years wore on, his body could no longer keep pace with the demands of physical toil. With age setting in and resources dwindling, he found himself at a painful crossroads, isolated, exhausted, and unsure of what lay ahead.

It was in this moment of deep need that Mama Ibado Charity stepped in, a turning point he describes as life-changing. “They swept me off my feet,” he says with heartfelt gratitude. Through the charity, Mzee Shaffy now receives regular food support and access to vital health services, assistance that has eased his burdens and restored his sense of dignity.

His story is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit  and of how timely compassion can rekindle hope, even in the darkest of times.