A Journey of Compassion and Empowerment
For Hajiya Rukaiya Abubakar Kushu, a near-death experience from pregnancy complications became the catalyst for her life’s work. This harrowing journey led her to become a beacon of hope for less privileged women facing similar challenges. What began as a personal struggle evolved into a broader mission that now spans multiple sectors, including maternal health, education, and community development.
Rukaiya’s passion for humanitarian work was ignited by a series of difficult experiences during childbirth. She underwent three different surgeries, each requiring her to travel abroad for treatment. After her third birth, doctors advised her to stop having children permanently. This painful realization pushed her to think about how she could help other women avoid such suffering.
Her journey took a pivotal turn in 2018 when she established the Abubakar Kushu Foundation, named after her father. The foundation was born out of a deeply moving story shared by her maid, who had been divorced due to gynecological complications and sent back to her parents with ten children. This woman spent two years battling illness while caring for her children. When Rukaiya learned of her situation, she was moved to action.
She took her maid to the hospital, where the cost of a minor surgery was just N30,000. Rukaiya posted her story on WhatsApp, requesting donations. Within minutes, people started contributing. By Monday, she had raised over N200,000. After her maid’s treatment, Rukaiya used the remaining funds to help other patients, saving the lives of seven women.
This act of kindness marked the beginning of her commitment to helping others. She reached out to the hospital management and offered to assist more patients, ensuring free treatment for those in need. Over time, the foundation expanded its scope beyond gynecological cases to include pediatric-related illnesses, recognizing the interconnectedness of maternal and child health.
Expanding Horizons: From Health to Education
The foundation’s impact grew beyond healthcare. Rukaiya realized that many communities lacked access to basic resources like clean water and education. Through her efforts, she has mobilized resources to provide over 200 wells and boreholes, building and equipping more than ten community schools with solar power, sanitary facilities, and housing for teachers.
She also focused on education, taking over 250 out-of-school children off the streets and enrolling them in western and Islamic schools. She covers their school fees and provides uniforms, books, and learning materials. Her commitment extended to renovating several Islamiyya schools, combining both Islamic and Western education to offer a well-rounded curriculum.
In addition to education, Rukaiya empowers women by providing take-off capital for businesses, promoting financial inclusion and self-reliance among women.
Transparency and Trust
Rukaiya attributes her success to honesty, transparency, and commitment. She ensures that every donation is used as intended and shares updates with donors. An example of this trust was when her sister sent $100 from abroad for a Christian child’s treatment. Rukaiya used part of the money for the treatment and returned the remainder for the child to celebrate Christmas. She later posted the details on her WhatsApp status, which delighted the donor.
Her actions have touched many lives. Malam Rabi Muhammad, the former maid, shared how Rukaiya helped her recover and even allowed her to relocate to her residence. Another beneficiary, Malam Usman Muhammad Gambo, founder of Inara Islamic Academy, praised Rukaiya for renovating his school and paying annual school fees for students.
Recognition and Leadership
Rukaiya’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. She was recently inaugurated as an AIM-MNCHN Advocacy Champion under the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN). She is also an active member of various health, peacebuilding, and development committees in Bauchi State.
With a B.Sc. in Sociology and Anthropology and a M.Sc. in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Rukaiya currently serves as the Deputy Registrar and Head of the Guidance and Counselling Unit at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi.
Through her foundations and platforms, Rukaiya remains committed to turning empathy into action, restoring dignity, and building equity in underserved communities. Her story is a testament to the power of compassion and the impact one individual can make when driven by purpose.
