In a country where millions of women carry the weight of food insecurity, childcare, and community care, one Ennerdale woman is quietly changing lives every single day. The Clover Mama Afrika project shines a spotlight on Mama Lydia Isaacs this month, whose work goes far beyond feeding her community. She is building a system of care, dignity, and opportunity for over 120 vulnerable people – daily.
At the heart of her work is the Ebenezer Hannah Home, a centre established by her parents who were both orphans and met one another in an orphanage. The centre opened its doors in 1992 where their goal was to care for orphaned and vulnerable children, as well as elderly individuals abandoned by society. Today, Mama Lydia carries forward that legacy, having stepped into leadership following the passing of her mother, Mama Shirley Merime, in 2021.
“I had to leave the corporate world behind to continue what my mother started. This is about being a mother to the motherless and creating a place of care, dignity, and opportunity. It takes commitment, faith, and showing up every day, even on the hardest days. But I believe that whatever you are going through should not define you. We are not only feeding people, but we are also building independence and helping others rise,” she says.
A day in the life of a ‘Mama’ in Ennerdale
Mama Lydia’s day begins early, ensuring children are dressed, nourished, and ready for school, and starting each morning with devotion alongside both the young and elderly residents.
Her day quickly moves into a coordinated routine of care. She prepares and serves multiple meals tailored to the nutritional needs of both children and elderly residents, many of whom require specialised diets. She oversees daily chores and activities within the centre, while also running an aftercare programme where children receive help with homework and school projects.
At the same time, she manages a range of income-generating and developmental activities at the centre. Through the support of the Clover Mama Afrika project, Mama Lydia has transformed her centre into a hub of skills development and sustainable livelihood, with a bakery enabling her to bake bread daily to feed those in her care while also supplying local schools, businesses, and community members. Sewing initiatives ensure donated clothing can be altered, redesigned, and redistributed, creating both practical support and skills opportunities, while vegetable gardens provide fresh produce for daily meals and equip beneficiaries with agricultural training. Alongside these activities, the centre runs a pre-school programme to support early childhood development, with Mama Lydia leading a team of 12 to collectively support approximately 120 people each day.
Beyond providing meals, the centre equips community members with practical skills such as bread baking, cake decorating, sewing, and agriculture. These activities not only create opportunities for income generation but also serve as a form of emotional and mental healing.
Leading with heart: The power of women uplifting women
For Mama Lydia, leadership is rooted in Ubuntu. It means showing up for others, listening deeply, and creating safe spaces for healing and growth.
She actively supports women in her community through counselling, church gatherings, and home visits, encouraging them to overcome challenges and rebuild their lives. Her approach is grounded in empathy and shared experience, reinforcing the belief that collective support can drive meaningful change. Her impact extends beyond the centre itself. In one instance, she stepped in to support a local girls’ soccer tournament when no one else would, providing resources, refreshments, and encouragement. That moment sparked a sense of unity and pride among the young women in her community.
“Whatever you are going through should not define you,” she says. “Stand up, dust yourself off, and know that you can bring change.”
Being a Clover Mama Afrika Mama means being a pillar of the community and creating a safe haven for those in need. Looking ahead, Mama Lydia hopes to secure the centre’s property, invest in solar energy to become more self-sufficient, and expand income-generating opportunities through partnerships and sponsorships.
“Women like Mama Lydia represent the heart of the Clover Mama Afrika project. Her ability to turn care into sustainable impact is what makes this initiative so powerful. She is not only addressing immediate needs such as hunger, housing and care, but are also equipping communities with skills, dignity and long-term opportunities. We celebrate her and all our Mamas’ resilience, leadership and the lasting change they create every day,” Rika Haasbroek, Manager: Corporate Social Investment at Clover.
Her story is a powerful reminder that real change often begins in the most humble of spaces. A kitchen, a garden, or a shared meal can become the foundation for lasting impact led by women who are committed to uplifting those around them.
If you would like to make a difference to Mama Lydia and those in her care, she currently needs:
- Single beds, mattresses, cupboards, and bedding to ensure the children and elderly have comfort and dignity.
- Paint, tiles, and clothing to refresh the centre and create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment.
SUPPLIED.
