INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY -A LETTER TO MY MOTHER

Today we are celebrating women all over the world. Their achievements ,roles and what they are doing now to save tomorrow .First I thought of  celebrating myself for the far I have come by posting a picture on Instagram and Facebook ,shooting TikTok videos and eating but something struck me .That for me to be here ,to have all the things I have ,the education ,morals values and even the cuteness and figure. It took the effort of a certain woman whose name is Elizabeth Wanjiku Mau. Why not make this post about her. Let me start by highlighting  things that stand out for me about her ;prayer warrior  ,hardworking ,good listener , intuitive skills at the best, strong let us call her a woman of nyadhi, to name but a few.

FIGHTING FOR OUR EDUCATION 

In order for us to save tomorrow, we need to invest in education .Through it we will be able to build, a stronger foundation for us and the next generation .My mama understands this very well .Every now and then she would show us her results in primary school and tell us how she went to every place ,she could think of in order to get funding for high school without success .She even repeated the class severally having excellent results every year in the hope that  the next year she will have some scholarship of some sort but never succeeded .She had to quit trying and join a vocational training to be a tailor .she vowed that no matter what ,her children must see school to whatever level they want .

As we are speaking she is a green grocer she sells at this small market at Amboseli road in Nairobi near Kawangware .This together with my fathers collaboration is what has kept us going .I  remember this one instant where our first born finished class eight . She performed but  not to the  target my dad had for her .She was ask to repeat the class . My dad was so persistent and even threatened not to educate her further .My mama on the other hand took upon herself  and bought all the required items for high school and managed to see my sister through high school up-to the university. This is a clear demonstration that as women if we set our mind right we can achieve anything.

I remember another scenario . I was about to enter high school in the year 2012 . This time my dad was hospitalized  and in their work place  policy is that , if you are absent for whatever reason you will not be  paid. My sister was to join university and my brother was to join class one. You can imagine we were depending on my mothers job  to support us . Things were tough , but guess what ! we were able to join, school fees paid and move on like nothing happened. If this does not show the power of a woman what else? Congrats mama .

MY NUMBER ONE FUN

We normally post on social media platforms so that we can get validation from others, get people to like and share our content among other reasons. What if we have a fun always next to us ,encouraging you at every moment, liking and promoting your content every time ,My mama does exactly that. Will I be wrong to say am blessed😊😊. Whenever I discover anything of  interest and I want to pursue, she is always  my number one supporter. Example when I begun  baking  she went and bought me baking dishes and other equipment needed for baking ,she also secured a shop for so that I could go commercial and promote my products. At some point I was selling second hand clothes and when I was schooling and not able to go and purchase new stock ,she made sure that my business was running and even bought  new stock .This was the same treatment to all my siblings .Example my sister used to sell poultry products and after she got employed my mother assisted her In managing the business until when she was able to multi-task again.

BEST MARKETER

As we do our daily business ,our hope is that, our customers will be impressed with our products and end up referring us to their friends and colleagues. My mother does this excellently. Whenever she hears or gets an opportunity she always vote for us .’ My daughter can cook pizza, My daughter can do those calculations within minutes, My daughter can bake you a wedding cake to your liking.’ She will also encourage us to start our own business and assist where possible. She also dares and guides us to apply for jobs which in our eyes seams impossible to get.

 

There was this  day mama told my sister to drop her cv at a certain international office. She did not believe she can get a job in such a place. Due to my mothers persistence she did that. After a couple of months ,she was called in for an interview. I remember that day as she narrates.’mimi ata siko sure nitapata hyo job,kwanza tulipewa computer test Alafu kuna kitu nilikuwa nimesahau so siku ifanya vizuri. Then ukiona watu tulikuwa  kwa interview nao,Mimi ndo nilikuwa less experience na natembea , wengine walikuwa na magari kubwa plus CV zao ni refu .”My mama was like “ do not worry you will pass and God will see you through. After a week or so she got the job and after a year she was promoted.

 A JACK OF MANY TRADES AND MY ROLE MODEL

  It’s always advisable to have skills if you want to succeed in this world . My mama can do a lot of stuffs example   Make candles and soap, make ornaments and snowflakes using beads, she can knit and sew clothes and also make bags out of paper. She is the most generous person I know , once someone comes to her with problems she  is always  ready and willing to help. Though her generosity has cost her a fortune. As she keeps lending money to people, with promises that she will get them back without success.

DEDICATED 

I know consistency is the key for growth. I also believe that we should love ourselves first before anything else. This side of my mother where she can wake up feeling sick .At the same time goes to the market buy new stock and also open her kiosk .Is what I have never understood . I do try to help where possible, like assisting her in the business .

Wishing that she will always be strong and healthy. In her mind she be like’ if I do not work how will you kids survive,' I would rather sacrifice myself to see that you are respectable members of the society.' 'I would not like a situation where am a bother or burden to you.’ She claims that God nourishes her every moment with new strength and that she will overcome anything.

MONEY TIPS

Have you ever call someone or request for assistance .Every time that person will be like,’ wee Aki nimesota sina hata Bob,’ or  ‘I wish you could’ve told me earlier ningekupea.’ A lesson from my mother is  that no matter how little you have, never say you are out of cash. Is better you say ‘I have some money but am not sure it will be of help to you.’ or ‘I have money but am planning to do A,B and C with it so currently I cannot be of help.’By so doing you will attract more money and people will know your boundaries 😊.

Lastly I know there is nothing I can do to repay my mama. I am praying that God will give her more years for her to see the people we will be. I believe the future is brighter and with every lesson and guidance from her  we are stronger. To every woman out there congratulation, for the role you play in our society. It is not easy to bring up a  child  and nurture him or her to adult hood. Sometimes children can be a pain in the ass but am sure everyone can second this ,Our mothers are always there for us .Thank you also for never giving up on your goals and roles as women ,we are the pillar of our nations, The key for economic independence. If you have any skill utilize it ,it can be as simple as cooking mandazi on the road side or running a daycare at the comfort of your house. Once you put in the effort God will always bless your work . If we join hands with men ,assisting them with finances and budgeting that is  the beginning of ending poverty and boosting our economy at large. We can do this, We are capable and it is our time to act. 

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY