Issa Amakalu Salim

Issa Amakalu Salim, 83, was born from a humble background in Kakamega; his childhood was cut short when financial struggles forced him to leave school after only getting to class Four. With his mother unable to afford school fees, he set out to make a living through any manual jobs he could find.

His search for work eventually took him to Nakuru, where he secured employment at Unga Limited. For four years, he worked diligently until the end of his contract. But when he returned home, Issa’s working life came to an abrupt halt, one from which he would never recover.

Without stable employment, Issa depended on the kindness of his family. His sister, Zuhura, gave him a place to live, and later, his brothers stepped in to provide care, cooking, and cleaning for him. 

But Issa’s greatest challenge has been his health. For the past eight years, he has battled eye problems that began during his time in Nakuru. What started as a minor issue gradually grew into a disability, robbing him of clear vision and leaving him unable to even take care of himself.

With little means of supporting himself, Issa often struggled to find food. On some nights, he went to bed hungry. Yet in the midst of this hardship, one lifeline emerged, Mama Ibado Charity. The organization provides him with regular food donations, easing the heavy burden of survival.

“The other day, I had nothing, and I was forced to sleep hungry,” he recalls. “But the very next day, I received food from Mama Ibado Charity. Since then, I’ve been okay. I’m truly grateful.”

Today, Issa’s home carries the reassuring sight of food stored away, a comfort he never takes for granted. For him, the support is not just about meals, it is about dignity, survival, and hope.

“I pray that Mama Ibado Charity continues helping us,” Issa says earnestly. “If this program ends, many of us will suffer terribly.”