Caption: Isalako with our social worker Dorothy In his poultry shade Photo: Elsea Wekesa
Being looked down upon by society is one of the most disheartening experiences. For the Isalako family, poverty had become a way of life, something they had resigned themselves to. Their home was a tiny, aging structure standing in the midst of an overgrown, bushy compound. A much smaller hut, meant to serve as their kitchen, also doubled as a sleeping space for their son.
Despair had taken its toll. Patrick, the father, sought refuge in alcohol, barely eating and relying on illicit brew to make it through each day. Meanwhile, his wife Mary carried the heavy burden of sustaining the family, her meager earnings from cutting trees and selling firewood barely enough to put food on the table.
Then came a turning point. Enrolling in UKR’s Family Care Model brought a change they never imagined possible. Today, the Isalako’s stand with renewed hope and pride. Their new, dignified house now comfortably shelters the entire family, Patrick, Mary, their two daughters, and their son. A separate, well-built kitchen ensures they can cook meals even when it rains.
Mary no longer has to endure the physically exhausting job of tree cutting. Thanks to agricultural officers, their once rocky and barren land has been cleared and leveled. What they had thought impossible has become a reality. Napier grass now flourishes on their farm. They are set to receive pigs as part of UKR’s agricultural support program.
Agriculture has opened new doors for the family. They have already received 50 chicks to kick start their long-awaited poultry farming venture, bringing them one step closer to financial stability.The transformation is evident even in their surroundings, the once bushy thickets are now cleared, the ground is leveled, and Mary has taken to planting grass and flowers, giving their home a fresh and dignified look.
The impact of UKR’s intervention goes beyond physical changes. It has restored the family’s confidence, sense of belonging, and social respect. The Isalakos no longer feel defeated by poverty. Instead, they look ahead with optimism, ready to build a brighter future.
