Asiya Abdulrahman Foundation opens facility for vulnerable senior citizens

By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar

The Asiya Abdulrahman Foundation has opened what it described as the first free elderly care home in Katsina State, aimed at providing shelter, healthcare and other forms of assistance to vulnerable senior citizens.

The facility, located at Gidan Marayu Quarters, also known as Ta’awun Quarters, behind Dandagoro in Katsina metropolis, was opened on Monday, August 31, 2026.

Speaking in an interview shortly after the opening, the founder of the foundation, Asiya Abdulrahman, said the initiative was established to ensure that elderly people who could no longer adequately cater for themselves were not abandoned.

She said the foundation currently operates three facilities in the state, including the elderly care home, a migrant home and an orphanage.

“We are here to support our elders. This is one of our houses in Katsina State. We have three houses: an elderly care home, a migrant home and an orphanage,” she said.

According to her, the foundation has so far extended assistance to nearly 21 families through its humanitarian activities.

She said the elderly care facility would provide care and support to senior citizens, including access to medical services through a team of healthcare professionals.

“This is for elders, where we will be taking care of our elders, and we have our medical teams. They will provide health and medical assistance whenever they are ill,” she said.

Why elderly care home was established

Explaining the motivation behind the initiative, Abdulrahman said she was inspired by elderly care facilities she saw in the United Kingdom, particularly in London.

She said she decided to establish a similar facility after observing that some families lacked the financial and physical capacity to properly care for their elderly relatives.

“I imitated the British. They have a lot of houses, for instance, in the United Kingdom, in London, where they take care of their elders,” she said.

“Honestly speaking, I decided to open a house for elderly people because there are a lot of people who do not have the capacity to take care of their elders.

“I just want to make sure our elders are not left behind.”

Foundation targets children on the streets

The founder also disclosed that the foundation was supporting children found roaming the streets, including those involved in begging and street trading.

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She said some of the children had already been enrolled in public schools where they receive both Western and Islamic education.

According to her, the foundation had enrolled some of the children in schools in areas including Kofar Guga, while its representatives were coordinating other aspects of the programme.

She said the initiative was aimed at taking vulnerable children off the streets and giving them access to education and a more stable future.

‘I am from Katsina State’

Asked why she decided to establish the humanitarian initiative in Katsina despite travelling from Abuja, Abdulrahman said her connection to the state was one of the reasons for focusing her intervention there.

“I am from Katsina State as well,” she said.

She added that her activities were driven by the desire to contribute to the welfare of vulnerable people and support communities in need.

Foundation seeks partnerships

Abdulrahman further called for partnerships with other non-governmental organisations and humanitarian groups to enable the foundation to expand its interventions.

She said the foundation was open to working with organisations and individuals willing to support its programmes.

“I really need to partner with other NGOs to actually do that. The door is open for everyone. You’re welcome,” she said.

No direct government funding, founder says

On government support, Abdulrahman said the foundation had not received direct financial assistance from the government.

However, she appreciated the government for its participation in some of the foundation’s activities, including the commencement programme held at the Government House.

“I really don’t have any support from government, but I really appreciate what they did,” she said.

She expressed hope that stronger partnerships with government agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders would help the foundation expand its programmes for elderly people, children, migrants and other vulnerable groups across the state.

The opening of the facility comes amid growing concerns over the welfare of elderly people and vulnerable children who lack adequate family or institutional support.