The Love of a Mother

LOVE OF A MOTHER

I stood from a distance and watched her engage joyfully in a time and energy consuming activity. My heart immediately went out for her and I never hesitated to approach her. She smiled as she saw me come closer and as I greeted, she sought to know the purpose of my visit to her humble abode. She had seen me earlier in her village as we were there to render services in health sensitization and most especially in the domain of PMTCT of HIV. I told her simply that I enjoy her hardworking nature. Ma Delphine as she told me her name said she sells garri (a food product made from ground and fried cassava) and other farm produce for a living. The basin of cassava she told me would be grated by hand for hours on end and another basin would be added the next day. As a mother to 6 children this woman in the Ako village ( a boarder town to Nigeria) puts all her energy into her business to ensure education for her children. I cherished this part and told her I love and support women like her who know the importance of the education of their children. She showed me some of her girl children who attend school thanks to the proceeds she makes from her business. Quizzed on her marital status Ma Delphine told me she is married and her husband, a teacher works in the border to Nigeria. Unlike other women in this area who might stay at home doing nothing, this lady knows she has to be supportive to enable their children have a better life. It was a joy for her to demonstrate to me all the postures she takes to achieve her grating exercise and it was equally my pleasure to explain to her that my mother also cultivated cassava which she used to fry \"accra\" (some doughnut made of cassava dough). May all women continue to be hardworking in all spheres, prove their worth and above all educate their girl children.