Life hasn’t always been riddled with hardship for Lokei Leto. She recalls a time when, alongside her late husband, they led an affluent life, measured by their wealth in livestock. Those were the days when joy was plentiful, and the couple worked together to build a thriving home. But after her husband succumbed to death, everything began to unravel. As tradition dictated, her husband was buried next to his siblings in Isiolo County, where his final resting place would offer him companionship in the afterlife. But back in the patriarchal community of Kirimon in Samburu County, Leto’s life soon took a tragic turn. Without a strong male figure to protect her, she became vulnerable to ruthless opportunists. Her children were too young to defend their inheritance, and the neighbors stood by, watching as bandits raided her compound, stealing the best of her livestock while leaving behind only the sickly animals. Fleeing the violence and uncertainty, Leto and her children sought refuge in Isiolo, near her husband’s grave. However, their arrival coincided with a severe drought, which withered crops and dried up water sources. The few animals they had managed to save perished, and Leto and her children found themselves struggling in poverty, relying on a meager subsistence farm that barely yielded enough for survival. Over time, her children began to leave, each seeking their own way in the world. Her daughters, particularly, married into poverty, leaving them burdened with scars of hardship. In addition to her many challenges, Leto suffers from debilitating ulcer wounds, which flare up painfully, leaving her feeling as though her insides are burning. The only support she has in her later years is her granddaughter, who helps by cooking, cleaning, fetching water, and gathering firewood. Despite her years of suffering, Leto’s life has been touched by the kindness of Mama Ibado Charity. The charity enrolled her in its senior’s feeding program, providing her with regular food rations to ease her hunger and sustain her. They have also supported her medical needs, covering the cost of treatment for her ulcers and providing essential healthcare services. Thanks to Mama Ibado’s intervention, Leto has experienced a renewed sense of dignity, knowing that she is not alone in her struggles. Be part of the change in Leto’s life through your support.
