Shisyumbu Joseph Isalambo

Joseph Isalambo Shisyumbu was born in 1939 in Sigalagala, Ikolomani. He grew up in a busy home as the last born in a family of ten children, consisting of five boys and five girls.

He started his education in 1950 and worked hard until he reached Class Eight. Although he passed his exams to join Class Nine, he could not continue because his family lacked the money for school fees.

After stopping his studies, he moved to Mombasa to find work. He managed to get a job at the Chuda House Hotel, where he worked for three years.

In 1961, Joseph married his wife, Mary Muhatia Isalambo, and they were blessed with five children. They struggled together for 56 years to raise their family and educate them through high school until Mary passed away in November 2017.

Life became very difficult for Joseph as an elderly widower living alone with no source of income. He often went hungry and spent his days worrying about where his next meal would come from.

He met the Mama Ibado Charity by chance during the COVID-19 period while at Kakamega Hospital for a check-up. A man named Mohammed introduced him to the program, which provides him with rice, maize flour, porridge flour, tea leaves, sugar, cooking oil, and milk.

"In the past, my life was defined by the struggle to find food, but now I have a consistent supply of nourishment that has brought stability to my home," Said Isalambo.

Joseph is deeply grateful to the Mama Ibado Group for remembering him in his old age. He prays that the group continues to grow so it can help other seniors who are also unable to support themselves.

"Before the charity intervened, I lived in uncertainty and hunger, but today I am cared for through regular food rations," He added.

He still needs help because he lives alone and has no way to earn money at 86 years old. His health, particularly his failing eyesight, requires expensive treatment and glasses that he cannot afford on his own.