“The biggest sacrifice my mom made for me was waking up early to go to the market every day to trade so she could take care of her family.

“Now she always makes me smile when she calls me on the phone just to catch up on everything because we don’t live in the same place.

“One of the most beautiful memories I have with my mom is sharing a sweet time together on her birthday.”

“Every day my mom always supports me in everything I do. She is my number one fan. She always gives me advice about life and always encourages me with school.

“During a very difficult time for us, she chose to work in someone else’s home so she could provide food for us, even though she was not paid fairly. My mom made a great sacrifice for me and my family, which is why I take my life and education so seriously.

“When the country was good, she used to take me out to the beach. Those are my favorite memories. Sometimes she would go to sell at the market with me, too, and that taught me lots of things about life.”

“My mom chose to put me on this earth instead of throw me out.

“She is always there for me. Everytime she is cooking, she calls me to give me a taste. Everytime she goes out to the market, she always comes back with something for me.

“I remember one Saturday night my mom saw we were hungry. She went to buy credit so she could give us food. The next day they came and harassed her for the money.

“My mom is always telling me she believes in me. My mom always laughs with me. She sings to me to make my heart happy.”

“My mother is always watching over me. It doesn’t matter how old I get—she still tries to meet every need in every possible way. She always prays for me and my family.

“During the time I was giving birth to my first child, she paused all her activities for six months to take care of me.

“She also stood by me during another very difficult time. She comforted me, prayed with me, and encouraged me to lift my spirits and put a smile back on my face.”

“In 2010, I suffered a stroke. I was in the hospital, paralyzed, and crying. My mom said to me, ‘My child, don’t worry about the money.’ She went and took out a loan to cover my care so I could be here today.

“Then, when I was newly married, I had spent all my savings to organize the marriage. So my mom took responsibility for my house. Every day she would bring money for me and my wife and our children. Every month she would buy us groceries in bulk.

“These memories stay with me. I always say, If I didn’t have my mom, what would I do?

“On December 31, 2024, I was able to give her the key to the concrete house I built for her. That is my favorite memory with my mom.”

“My mom is always ready to give me everything I need, even though she doesn’t have a lot. During the most difficult times in Arcahaie, my mom stayed in Cabaret. She went to lots of trouble because she knew I didn’t have enough to live well. She fought hard so I could continue my education. She always wants me to live well even if she can’t. She always sacrifices for me.

“My favorite memory with my mom is when she threw a beautiful party for me. All of my friends were there. We ate together and went swimming in a pool. It’s the most beautiful memory I could have with my mom.”

“One of the things that makes me smile thinking about my mom is remembering how she would look at me and tell me she loved me. She was always praying for me and my children.

“My mom made many sacrifices for me and my family because she was a Madan Sara*. That meant a lot to me. Whenever I ran out of money, she was always the one who helped me and my children. When I didn’t have money for transportation, she was always there to support me.

“My mother and I fled together from the gangs. Then she became sick in my arms. She died in my arms last month. I did everything I could for her. That is a memory I will never forget.”