Just coming off a three-day community Outreach program organised by Nigerian Christian Corppers Fellowship (NCCF Rural Rugged) in Amurin Village, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, I was privileged to counsel some villagers and women as they intimately shared their stories with me. Most of them have either lost their husband or have been abandoned, leaving the responsibilities of child care to these women. But in the midst of great hardship, these women joyfully struggled in view of the bright future of their kids and their brighter future. And with the seeing of the Corppers, they became inspired to work harder in order to provide a great future for their children. This poem is inspired by the women of Amurin Village, OWO LGA, Ondo State.
As she walks down the road carrying a heavy sack…
Still with her sleeping child on her back…
All she’s got is her little cassava farm…
And her money purse that she keeps underarm…
She could be termed as being local, uneducated, and primitive…
But she’s loving, caring, and hyperactive…
Her scarred hands from knife cuts, her dark spots from fire burns…
She bares these and more, all for her little ones…
Cooking, dishing, washing, caring, carrying, cleaning; its all on her…
She’s so strong and daring,doing all at the same time; a great multitasker…
Sweat dries on her skin, often she stinks…
She’s young but how quickly her skin shrinks…
Out of her belly emerges royal seeds…
Forming virtuous attributes from her seemly primitive creeds…
From those slums have risen men and women of renown…
Their mums unwavering affection kept them planted firmly on the ground…
And till this day we still feel the effect of those women’s passion….
The likes of Mrs. Sonya, the mum of great Ben Carson…
Just like the great Maria Montessori…
Whose care for education of disabled children changed history…..
Unpopular Mary Slessor, the mother of popular Mary Slessor….
Who single handedly raised her up as her successor…
Many African women who thrive till this day to provide the best lives for their kids…
In spite of harsh conditions, they struggle to meet their needs…
Not receiving any worldwide applause…
Monetary gratifications or golden globe awards….
These women are the untold story…
Behind their children’s pride, success, and glory…
We see you…
We feel you…
Once every star shines bright…
We know it’s a reflection of your light.
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