Becoming a mother all over again at 63

A good turn deserves another.

Little Moses Annan (centre) is all smiles after his foster mother Josephine Mwakazi (second left) received the Jubilee Insurance Samaritan Award from Jubilee Holdings chairman Nizar Juma (right). Others are Mr Patrick Tumbo, Jubilee Insurance Kenya CEO and Star editor Catherine Gicheru, a JISA panel judge.  

And for the unconditional love and care she accorded an abandoned child, Josephine Mwakazi this week won a humanitarian award. The 63-year-old mother of six did not think twice upon seeing an infant abandoned in her Mwakingali estate near Tsavo West National Park. She took the infant in, even as neighbours gossiped that at her age, her aim was to solicit funds from donors. All she wanted was to give the baby a life. Abandoned by his biological mother minutes after birth at the estate in Voi town, Taita-Taveta County, little Annan, became an angel that brought a smile to Josephine’s face in her golden years.

Why Annan? The boy’s rescue coincided with the signing of the Peace Accord that ended the post-election violence four years ago. So Josephine’s family named the child Moses Annan, in honour of former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan owing to his vanguard role in brokering peace in the country in 2008.

“God salvaged my Annan from the jaws of hyenas, lions and other wild animals roaming this Mwakingali neighbourhood from the adjacent Tsavo National Park,” says Josephine. “And I’m going to take care of him. When I saw the fate of the child, I wanted to give him all the motherly love every child deserves,” said Josephine when she received the Jubilee Insurance Samaritan Award (JISA).

This week, Jubilee Insurance recognised Josephine’s caring heart and selfless character in giving the child a new lease of life, and changing the perception of adoption in the society. The JISA award, which is part of Jubilee’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, was set up in 2006 and seeks to raise the profile of members of society who are passionate about the welfare of those around them. “Through this award, Jubilee hopes to recognise her selfless act and in so doing, encourage other Kenyans to be mindful of the welfare of those in need.”

Mr Juma described Josephine as a model of a good and honest human being. “She is an inspiration to us all, in an age when we see very few selfless acts.” Of note, he said, were the odds against her but she still pursued the adoption and has given the child a happy life.

“Mrs Mwakazi’s laudable act has transformed the society to view adoption positively; hers is an inspiring story of a good heart and caring for the needy in the society,” said Ms Catherine Gicheru, a JISA Panel judge, who is a former Nation news editor.

However, it has not been all smooth sailing for Josephine as she became a subject of ridicule in her neighbourhood for hosting a destitute child. But today, the very same community has become her greatest admirers for the humane act of accommodating little Annan.

Her family, especially her children — a boy and five girls — have welcomed little Annan wholeheartedly.

Her husband, Mr Roy Mwakazi, she says, has also been a supportive icon since when the child’s rescue, and when she expressed interest to adopt him.

Mr Mwakazi, a former councillor in the area, says that the family will ensure that Annan is educated.

Annan celebrated his fourth birthday on May 3, and will begin school next year. The Mwakazis intend to break the news about his adoption to him only after attaining the age of 18. For now, Josephine hopes to open a children’s home in the future, to care for abandoned children.

Source: Daily Nation