Zamzam Mohamed

At the heart of Isiolo county in an area called Bula Pesa, Zamzam Mohamed was born into a polygamous family. As the youngest of twelve children, her father’s second wife raised her amidst wealth and strife. Their family thrived on livestock, boasting herds of cows and camels that symbolized their affluence. Yet, behind the facade of prosperity, conflict brewed.

Her mother and two co-wives were locked in relentless disputes, fracturing any semblance of peace. Unable to endure the turmoil, Zamzam’s mother left the family, abandoning her six-year-old daughter.  With the stepmothers harboring resentment Zamzam was treated harshly.

The inter-clan conflict that erupted in Isiolo shattered their fortunes, decimating her father’s livestock and leaving them destitute. The stepmothers fled, and her father, overwhelmed by stress and loss, fell gravely ill. Zamzam, still a child, dropped out of school to care for him until his passing. Orphaned, she moved in with her elder sister.

At fifteen, Zamzam eloped to Mombasa with a young man, seeking a fresh start. Their union brought four children and 15 years of happiness until her husband revealed his plan to marry a second wife. The announcement reawakened her childhood trauma. Heartbroken, she left her marriage and returned to Isiolo with her children.

Starting over was arduous. With no prior work experience, Zamzam began selling mandazi and gradually expanded her efforts to catering for small events. After a decade as a single mother, she remarried and celebrated the prospect of new life. But misfortune struck again; her new husband abandoned her, leaving her to care for her children and grandchildren alone.

By 2022, hope appeared in the form of Mama Ibado Charity’s seniors' feeding program. With monthly food baskets, Zamzam now faces life with greater security and dignity.

Her story, a testament to resilience, underscores the transformative power of compassion and support in the face of relentless adversity.