Mothers are Makers
Mothers are makers. They make ends meet, often taking on difficult work to support the people they love. They make meals from what is available, sometimes feeding their children before themselves. They make traditions that hold families together, passing down strength, wisdom, and hope to the next generation. And they make sacrifices, many of them quiet and unseen.
Mothers are makers. They make ends meet, often taking on difficult work to support the people they love. They make meals from what is available, sometimes feeding their children before themselves. They make traditions that hold families together, passing down strength, wisdom, and hope to the next generation. And they make sacrifices, many of them quiet and unseen.
At the heart of each story is a mother working to create a better life for her children. In doing so, these mothers also help shape stronger families, healthier communities, and a better future. Meet seven of them below and see the many ways mothers are makers of change.
The community advocate
Lydia, a mother of two from Uganda, doesn’t sleep in on Saturday mornings. Nor does she spend the early hours of the day playing with her children, or even tending to her own home. Instead, she cleans the local trenches, which are deep ruts along the pathways near her home, where dirty water and sewage run freely. This helps minimize the spread of illnesses prevalent in her community.
Although she ensures that her boys regularly receive vitamin A supplementation and deworming to further protect their health, Lydia understands the health benefits of a clean environment, and she takes action to help make her community safer and healthier.
The water carrier
Each day, Gladis, a young mother we met on the remote shores of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, makes 15 trips to the local well to collect enough water for her family. The water is not always safe, and her children, four-year-old Jasimin and 10-month-old Dilan, often get sick. But water is essential, so Gladis keeps walking.
With support from Vitamin Angels’ nutrition solutions, Gladis has another way to help protect her children’s health, even when other resources are limited in her community.
The nurse
Drawing from her knowledge as an aspiring nurse, Jodi avoids processed foods and tries to serve plenty of fruits and vegetables, even though those staples are typically more expensive than ready-made, less nutritious meals. As she learns more about health and nutrition, especially in anticipation of the birth of her third child, she strives to pass down her knowledge to her children and instill positive, long-term habits.
“I am very conscientious about what I eat, and I try to pass that on to them,” she noted. “But it’s hard, you know? Children are picky about what they eat.” One small, but notable victory for the Florida mom of both a toddler and a teenager? “They love broccoli, ever since they were able to eat it!”
The working mom
For Emely, the struggles that come with motherhood don’t compare to its rewards. The mom of three, whom we met in the Philippines, was happy to share that her children have all received vitamin A supplementation and deworming to support their health and growth.
Emely and her husband are employed at the local mini-mart and in construction, respectively. Attending to their children’s needs can prove difficult. If any of their boys fall ill and require parental care, they lose valuable income and time at work. The climate in the area also puts them at risk for unexpected challenges; when we visited, they were still recovering from Typhoon Yolanda, which partially damaged their home and affected their water supply.
Through these challenges, Emely remains focused on keeping her children safe and healthy. With support from Vitamin Angels’ program partners in the area, she has more resources to help her family thrive.
The traveler
When Maria immigrated to Florida from Russia with her husband and oldest daughter, she was thinking about her children’s future. Leaving family and friends behind was difficult, but Maria hoped her daughters would have greater opportunities and access to a strong education.
“Our family and friends are far away…[but] in Russia it’s very hard to live, and we want a better future for them [her children]…so they can have something more, and better education,” Maria shared with us. Any sense of homesickness is secondary to her desire to give her daughters the greatest chance at a prosperous life. “I think every mom wants the best for her children,” she said.
I think every mom wants the best for her children
Maria
With the support of CareNet, our program partner in Bradenton, Florida, Maria received prenatal vitamins and minerals—also known as multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS)—while pregnant with her youngest daughter, Maddie. This provided a strong foundation for a healthy start. But until Maddie’s old enough to walk, run, and play with her older sisters, Maria’s relishing the precious time with her baby girl. Breastfeeding, in particular, brings her a special kind of joy.
“You will never forget this time with your kid alone,” she shared. “To have your kid so close to you, it’s very good.” She added, “A baby is a lot of happiness. Sometimes it’s hard, but it’s still happiness.”
The leader
Juana starts her day at 6 a.m., caring for her children, the family animals, cooking, cleaning, and preparing to make the rounds in her community. As a qhali (or health promoter), working in partnership with our program partner, DESEA Peru, she holds an esteemed position. Her peers rely on her for information and guidance on everything from water filtration to prenatal nutrition and breastfeeding.
It’s a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly. In the community, her respect has been hard-won: years ago, when we first met Juana, she had just been elected the first female president of Chaupimayo—in a vote open only to male citizens!
Juana leads by example, taking prenatal vitamins and minerals provided by Vitamin Angels during her most recent pregnancies. The benefits are not only clear to her but to her community, which has quietly observed this leader over the years. Now, many readily follow in her footsteps, hoping for a healthier future for their children, too.
The farmer
Mary grinned widely, watching her two-year-old daughter, Riehema, make faces at their visitors. Draped in a violet cape and stunning hand-beaded necklaces, both traditional pieces worn by Maasai women, Mary’s brilliance was matched by her daughter’s zest for life.
The youngest of her eight children, Mary is grateful that Riehema is healthy, thanks in part to the prenatal vitamins and minerals she took during pregnancy. Aside from parenting, Mary also oversees six acres of land, on which she farms corn, red beans, and potatoes; she also hires and supervises a team to assist with harvesting and selling the crops. With so much to do each day, and limited access to nutrient-rich foods, prenatal vitamins and minerals were a practical and meaningful resource for this mother and entrepreneur.
Despite her success as a business owner and farmer, Mary has dreams for her children to pursue higher education. “It is important for my children to be healthy because as the parents, we are putting all our efforts into getting education for our children,” Mary said.