In Murang’a County, one woman has quietly shouldered the weight of caring for society’s forgotten senior citizens for more than a decade.
Joyce Lee, a healthcare worker and founder of the Kumbuka Wazee Initiative, has turned what she calls “a divine calling” into her life’s mission, one built on sacrifice, compassion, and relentless dedication.
The initiative, which began in 2013 and was officially launched as an NGO on November 28, 2025, has grown from a small faith-based effort into a countywide lifeline for the elderly.
More than 400 senior citizens now rely on Joyce and her team for food, shelter, emotional support and emergency care.
Her journey began when she started visiting remote villages in Murang’a county to understand the challenges elderly people faced and what she discovered was heartbreaking: seniors living alone in collapsing homes, many wearing torn clothes and others surviving without food or medical care.
“I knew something urgent had to be done,” she said during the launch.
“Some had no children, some had been abandoned and others lived in deplorable conditions no human being deserves,” she added.
With the help of a few friends who shared her vision and in collaboration with chiefs and local administrators, Joyce began repairing houses and distributing food.
Since then, the initiative has built about 30 houses, repaired many others and provided clothing, food, and psychosocial support to hundreds of elderly residents.
However, behind the public success lies a personal struggle Joyce rarely shares.
Even with the progress, Joyce admits that the work has come with painful personal sacrifices.
She often encounters emergencies that require money she does not have.
“Sometimes I go to check on them and find someone sick, starving, or unable to move. I cannot walk away, so I borrow. I get into debt trying to meet their urgent needs,” she said.
The financial strain has also affected her relationships.
“I have lost friends. Some stopped picking up my calls because they assumed I was borrowing. Sometimes when I really needed someone to turn to, I had no one,” she revealed.
Despite this, Joyce remains committed. Many elderly people have her phone number and some even view her home as a safe place they can go to whenever they need help.
Through her work, Joyce has encountered painful stories of abuse and neglect. Some elderly people have reported attempted rape, while others have been insulted, mocked about their age or abandoned by children who moved to cities and cut off contact.
What hurts her most, she says, is seeing family members suddenly appear after an elderly person dies.
“They seek recognition during burials, yet they were never there when the person needed help,” she said.
She says her team leaves such disputes to local administrators, choosing instead to focus on providing care, shelter, dignity, and hope.
For Joyce, the transformation of Kumbuka Wazee into a registered NGO marks a major milestone.
She believes the new status will help expand its reach, attract long-term partners and secure sustainable funding.
“My hope is that after this launch, the initiative will reach more elderly people and gain the support needed. Their needs are many and sometimes very urgent,” she observed.
Transport remains a challenge, especially during nighttime emergencies. Food supplies are often inadequate, and medical needs continue to rise. Still, Joyce remains optimistic that more well-wishers will join the cause.
The organisation’s long-term goal is to build an elderly home in every county, a safe place where seniors can receive personalised care, companionship, and support.
As she continues to walk the dusty village paths with the same commitment she had 12 years ago, she thanks her team of volunteers for supporting her and helping her take care of many old people in need.
She reaffirms her dedication to the cause, noting that the elderly deserve love and care.
Meanwhile, she appealed for support and donations from well-wishers, noting that inadequate finances were the biggest obstacle she was facing.
Peter Mwangi, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to Joyce, saying she has been a big part of his life, especially during illness.
“Joyce has been helping me for about six years now. She has helped many of us,” he said.
“She even bought a bed for my neighbour who was sleeping on the floor.”
Eighty-year-old Flora Njoki, another beneficiary, said Joyce has been a huge support to her since her only son passed away.
“Recently, I was unwell and admitted to hospital. Joyce took care of me until I was discharged,” she said.
Flora called on more well-wishers to join the initiative, noting that many elderly people have been left alone and vulnerable.
By Purity Mugo and Catherine Kamunyo
