Joash Nyikuli

Born in 1954 in Namasoli Village, Kisaa, Khwisero District, Kakamega County, Joash grew up in a modest but loving family. Though some of his siblings passed away at birth, he was raised alongside three brothers and one sister. Determined to secure a better future, he pursued his education in Khwisero, eventually completing his O-levels in 1975.

Shortly after, in 1976, he joined the public service as a clerical officer in the Ministry of Public Works. Over the years, he served diligently in various capacities and locations, eventually being transferred to Kakamega in 1992, where he worked until 2000, when he was unexpectedly retrenched.

Despite this setback, Joash found joy in his family life. In 1983, he married the love of his life, and together they were blessed with five children—two daughters and three sons. However, tragedy struck in 2007 when his wife passed away, leaving him to raise their children alone.

Having lost his stable government job years earlier, Joash had to find alternative ways to support his family. He took on casual labor jobs, struggling to provide food, shelter, and education for his children. The weight of these responsibilities was immense, but he remained determined to see his children through school.

In 2019, Joash’s life took an unexpected turn when he encountered the Mama Ibado Charity (MIC) team during a field visit in Al-Karim Settlement. As a resident of the area, he volunteered to guide them through the community, even though he was not yet a beneficiary of the feeding program.

Through this act of kindness, he was encouraged to apply for the program, and later that year, he was officially enrolled. Since then, Joash has not only benefited from the monthly food rations but has also taken on a leadership role as a cluster head for the settlement, where he coordinates and relays information between beneficiaries and MIC.

The support from Mama Ibado Charity has significantly eased his burden, allowing him to redirect his limited resources toward his children’s education. Additionally, Joash regularly attends MIC’s weekly health clinics, where he receives treatment and medication, leading to drastic improvements in his health.

Despite facing years of uncertainty and loss, Joash remains hopeful and grateful for the support he receives.

“This program has not only provided me with food but has also given me a sense of community and purpose. It has allowed me to focus on ensuring my children have a future,” he shares.