SORA WARIO GALGALO

For 80-year-old Galgalo Wario Sora, life was once closely tied to the vast pastures of Marsabit. Like many pastoralists in Northern Kenya, he depended on livestock for his family's livelihood, security and daily needs. His animals were not just a source of income but the foundation upon which he had built his life.

However, years of persistent and severe drought gradually stripped away that livelihood. As pasture and water became increasingly scarce, his livestock perished, leaving him with no means of providing for his family. The loss pushed his household into extreme hardship, and amid the struggle to meet even their most basic needs, he lost two of his five children.

With little left to sustain them in Marsabit, Sora made the difficult decision to relocate to Isiolo with his wife and three surviving children. He reached out to relatives for assistance with transport, hoping to find a place where his family could begin again. At 80 years old, however, starting over came with considerable challenges. He was living with diabetes and high blood pressure, conditions that required regular medical attention, yet he had no reliable income to meet his family's needs or afford his treatment.

Life after relocation proved difficult for the entire family. His wife eventually returned to Marsabit in search of casual work to earn an income, leaving Sora and their three children in the care of extended family members. Having arrived with little more than the clothes he was wearing, he depended on relatives for shelter and clothing. Although they offered him a place to stay, providing food for the household remained a challenge.

Sora's circumstances began to change when he was enrolled as a beneficiary of Mama Ibado Charity. Through the charity's programmes, he receives support that addresses two of his most pressing needs: food and healthcare.

Through the monthly feeding programme, Sora receives regular food supplies to help meet his household's nutritional needs. The food packages have eased the burden of providing for his family, offering some assurance that there will be food to prepare even during difficult periods. As he explains, there are days when, without the monthly food package, the family would have nothing to cook.

He also benefits from Mama Ibado Charity's health programme, attending the weekly clinic where he receives medical attention and treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure. This access to healthcare is particularly important given his age and limited financial means, which would otherwise make managing his conditions difficult.

Together, these programmes provide essential support in two areas that directly affect Sora's daily life. While the monthly feeding programme helps ensure that he and his children have food, the weekly health clinic gives him access to the medical attention he needs to manage his chronic conditions.

Although the loss of his livestock, the passing of two of his children and the challenges of displacement remain part of his story, Sora no longer has to navigate these difficulties entirely on his own. Through the monthly feeding and health programmes, Mama Ibado Charity continues to support him and his family, helping them face each day with greater security and dignity.