A mothers' heart

New life is something to celebrate, is it not? To shout from the roof tops that you are a mother, and now the single most important thing to a little boy or girl. The start of motherhood should be a joyous occasion. Filled with emotions you never knew existed. A time of new life, new beginnings and new hope.  Is this what is felt by mothers world wide? Perhaps not, when you live with limited essential resources: water, food, and warmth. You are alone, in your late 20’s with no parents and no partner for support. You wonder how will you provide for this precious new life you hold in your arms.  This baby needs you, and can’t survive with out you. 

As days grow colder in the mountains of the western cape, a mother is dressed in a flowing pink summery dress, and her newborn less than a day old is in toddler’s trousers and a t-shirt. She has no baby supplies with which to care for her child. All she has is love. 

There is no love like a mother's love,

no stronger bond on earth

Like the precious bond that comes from God,

to a mother when she gives birth.

‘How will you get home?’

‘I will walk.’

And walk she would have done. 

We walked out the hospital together, her baby girl in a bundle of blankets. Helping her into the car, and offering a bag of food I had bought her, the expression of disbelief overtook the look of confusion.  As we begun the drive up the mountain, the bag of food rustled a few times, before she built up enough courage to accept the offering, and began to eat. 

We drove back to Grabouw, exchanging a few words ... english was limited. She directed me through the townships.

‘I can walk walk from here’ she said quietly. 

‘How far?’  I asked.

‘Far, far back, I live in a shack’

‘I will walk with you.’

We walked in silence though the sandy, rubbish scattered grounds. Stopping mid stride, Embessia (the new mum) turned to me and asked, 


‘Where are you from?’

‘England‘ I replied, ‘why?’ 

‘Because I have never met anyone like you before. I will remember you even after I die.’

Embessia, I will remember you for the rest of my life. You have touched my heart and opened my eyes.

After winding though the township, we arrived at her house. A mixture of corrugated iron, cardboard and wood made up the walls and roof. There were no windows, but a few planks of wood for a door.  A double bed occupied half the house, and there was less than a meter gap before a small section of bench top. This was a house for six people.  

I was greeted by her family, ‘God bless, baie dankie, baie dankie’. 

As I walked back out of the township, I didn’t feel scared, or worried. I felt protected, and blessed. I fought back the tears at the realization that this wasn’t a one off; the are hundreds of new mothers in a similar situation around Africa and around the world. 

A mother's love is forever strong,

never changing for all time

And when her children need her most,

a mother's love will shine.

God bless these special mothers,

God bless them every one

For all the tears and heartache,

and for the special work they've done.

When her days on earth are over,

a mother's love lives on

Through many generations,

with God's blessings on each one.

Be thankful for our mothers,

for they love with a higher love

From the power God has given, 

and the strength from up above.