Mariamu Akamala Gula

In the bustling neighborhood of Majengo, Amalemba, lives Mariamu Akamala Gula. Born in Kisumu and later married in Kakamega, Mariamu never held a formal job. Instead, she carved a livelihood through small businesses; braiding hair, stitching clothes, and selling samosas to her neighbors. These ventures not only kept her family afloat but also taught her the value of hard work.

Together with her husband, Mariamu raised 11 children. Life, however, dealt her painful blows; she lost four of them along the way. Today, she finds solace in the company of her surviving children, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who fill her home with both joy and responsibility.

Still, the weight of her journey has not been light. “My life was very challenging,” she admits. Like many elderly women, Mariamu has faced the reality of her grown children having families of their own, each with pressing responsibilities, leaving her vulnerable and often without steady support.

That changed when Mama Ibado Charity stepped in. Through the senior feeding program, Mariamu began receiving monthly food aid like milk, sugar, rice, flour, tea leaves, salt, and other essentials. “It’s been really essential to both me and my family,” she says with visible relief.

But the charity’s impact went beyond food. Every Thursday, Mariamu attends the free medical clinics. It was during one of these visits that she discovered she had high blood pressure, a condition she had unknowingly lived with for years. Thanks to regular check-ups and access to medication, she now manages the illness and lives with renewed hope.

For Mariamu, Mama Ibado Charity has been more than just an organization; it has been a lifeline. “I am truly grateful for their help,” she says