Litali Ramadhan Shuka

Litali Ramadhan Shuka was born in Shitao in 1951, entering a large family of seven children. He was the second-born child.

His education was cut short very early, as he only managed to study up to class three. He had to stop going to school because his father ran out of money and no longer had the strength to work.

After leaving school, he began wandering and looking for manual work to support his parents. Following the death of his father, he was left to care for his mother, who was also weak and entirely dependent on him.

He eventually got married and had children, though raising his family became a continuous battle against poverty where they frequently slept on empty stomachs.

Over the years, his children struggled similarly, dropping out of school early due to lack of school fees and failing to secure stable employment.

His daughters only manage to secure seasonal, low-paying manual weeding jobs on other people's farms, while his surviving son survives on irregular, informal odd jobs in the village.

One of his sons passed away, leaving behind four vulnerable grandchildren who were left entirely in his care.

He tried working at a town supermarket to keep the household afloat, but his life changed severely when he survived a fatal accident involving a car and a motorcycle. The impact shattered his bones, requiring doctors to insert metal plates and rods inside his arm and leg.

The family fell into deep deprivation, relying entirely on the mercy of well-wishers to survive.

"My biggest worry was always how these grandchildren would survive, but since joining the project, I am filled with joy because they no longer sleep hungry."

Relief came on December 10, 2021, after the local area chief visited his homestead, witnessed the severe distress of the grandchildren, and connected him to the Mama Ibado Seniors Feeding Programme.

Through this initiative, the family regularly receives essential food supplies, including rice, sugar, flour, porridge flour for the children, and salt.

Despite the life-saving support from the programme, he still needs ongoing assistance because his aging wife is severely ill, battling both diabetes and high blood pressure, and requires constant hospital transport.

Since the accident, he remains physically disabled, unable to lift anything heavy, and now takes care of people's cattle by herding them to get a little money. Continued donor support is vital to ensure his grandchildren can stay in school and his ailing wife can access medical care.