In Murang’a County, Joyce Lee has quietly taken on a mission that many would shy away from: caring for society’s forgotten senior citizens.
For more than 12 years, the healthcare worker has devoted herself to improving the lives of elderly residents, turning what she calls “a divine calling” into a life of sacrifice, compassion, and relentless dedication.
Joyce is the founder of the Kumbuka Wazee Initiative, an organisation that began in 2013 as a modest faith-based effort but was officially registered as an NGO on November 28, 2025. Over the years, the initiative has grown into a countywide lifeline, supporting more than 400 senior citizens who depend on Joyce and her team for food, shelter, emotional support, and emergency care.
Her journey began with visits to remote villages across Murang’a, where she witnessed firsthand the harsh realities facing the elderly. Many seniors lived alone in collapsing homes, wore torn clothes, or survived without access to food or medical care.
“I knew something urgent had to be done,” Joyce said during the NGO launch. “Some had no children, some had been abandoned, and others lived in deplorable conditions no human being deserves.”
With a small group of friends who shared her vision, Joyce collaborated with local chiefs and administrators to repair homes and distribute food. Since then, Kumbuka Wazee has built approximately 30 houses, repaired many more, and provided clothing, food, and psychosocial support to hundreds of elderly residents.
Yet behind the public success lies a personal struggle Joyce rarely shares. She often encounters emergencies that require immediate financial support, and in many cases, she has had to borrow money to meet the urgent needs of those in her care.
“Sometimes I visit 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 explained.
The financial strain has also affected her personal 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 the challenges, Joyce remains unwavering in her commitment. Many elderly residents have her phone number and even consider her home a safe place they can go to whenever they need help.
Through her work, Joyce has also confronted the painful realities 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, seeking recognition during funerals despite having been absent during their lives.
Joyce and her team choose to leave such disputes to local administrators, focusing instead on providing care, shelter, dignity, and hope. For her, the transformation of Kumbuka Wazee into a registered NGO marks a significant milestone. The new status is expected to help expand the initiative’s 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 said.
Challenges remain, including transport difficulties during nighttime emergencies, inadequate food supplies, and rising medical needs.
Nevertheless, Joyce remains optimistic, believing that more well-wishers will join the cause. The NGO’s long-term goal is ambitious: to establish an elderly home in every county where seniors can receive personalised care, companionship, and support.
Joyce expresses gratitude to her dedicated team of volunteers, who have helped her care for countless old people in need. She emphasizes that the elderly deserve love, care, and dignity, and urges the public to support the initiative through donations and active participation.
Peter Mwangi, a beneficiary, praised Joyce’s impact on his life. “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 recipient of Joyce’s care, shared how the initiative had supported her after the death of her only son.
“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, highlighting the plight of elderly people left alone and vulnerable across the county.
For Joyce Lee, the path is clear. She continues to walk the dusty village paths with the same commitment she had 12 years ago, ensuring that Murang’a’s senior citizens are seen, valued, and cared for—a testament to the power of compassion and relentless dedication.
