In a remote village called Nyandure, under the traditional authority of Nchema in Malawi, lives a woman whose life is a testimony of strength and unwavering resilience. Her life consists of years of struggle, sacrifice, and silent endurance.
Steria is a 40-year-old woman and a single mother of four children. Her life has been a constant battle for survival, made even more difficult by poverty, abandonment, and a lack of basic necessities. And yet, through every storm, Steria stands tall like every other mother who chooses her children’s well-being over her comfort.
The Journey of Raising Children as a Single Mother
“I do not have a husband, My marriage ended 20 years ago. I have been living on my own for a long time,” she shared.
She had faced two decades of solitude and the burden of raising a family without a partner. But Steria did not have time to grieve because she had to raise her children. Without support, formal job, and six growing children, life became a series of daily battles. She became a mother, father, and sole provider.
The Daily Struggle to Survive
“In my life, I depend on doing part-time work, I go and draw water and wash in other people's homes,” she explained.
Each day started with the hope that someone, somewhere in the village, would need her services. Sometimes it was laundry. Sometimes, it was fetching water. Other times, it was working in the fields. No job was small, and no wage was too little when survival was the goal.
Children Without a Childhood
Steria’s children did not have a childhood filled with toys or dreams. They had chores, responsibilities, and early maturity. She said:
“I was looking after them on my own, We did not even have a place to sleep. We used to sleep in people’s khondes (balconies).”
Homelessness became a part of their routine. Some nights, they relied on the mercy of neighbours. On other nights, they found shelter under open skies. But still, she did not complain. She shielded them from the harshest realities, even when she had nothing.
A Lost Dream: Education
The most painful part of Steria’s story is the lost dream of education.
“My children failed to go to school because we did not get any assistance from anywhere.”
Her voice did not break, but it was filled with quiet sorrow. She carried this regret with her every day. Education had been the key to escaping the cycle of poverty but poverty itself had locked the door.
“I wish my child had gone to school and managed to find some part-time work.”
She did not wish for riches or luxuries, just enough so her child would not have to struggle like she did.
Al Mustafa Trust Stepped in to make a difference
Things started to shift when Al Mustafa Welfare Trust helped her and she received Qurbani meat for the first time on Eid. For Steria, Qurbani was not just about meat. It was about someone, somewhere, remembering that she existed.
The meat fed her children, but the real nourishment was emotional because it brought them joy, smiles, and a memory they would hold onto all year. For a mother who had given up everything, that joy meant everything.
It is hard to put into words what that moment meant for Steria. But her teary eyes, her soft voice, and her smile full of prayers said it all. That is what Qurbani can do, it can turn pain into peace and tears into joy.
The Gift of a Nearby Masjid and Clean Water Facility
We also built a Masjid (Mosque) nearby where Steria and others in the village could finally pray without walking miles. But that was not all. The Masjid also has a clean water supply, giving the community access to safe drinking water, something they had never thought possible. Having clean water brought better health, saved time, and gave everyone a fresh sense of hope.
Be the reason someone smiles this Eid al-Adha
Donate your Qurbani today, and through your donations, we will deliver joy, nourishment, and spiritual blessings to those who need it most. Let’s make sure no child goes to bed hungry this Eid al-Adha, and no mother feels forgotten. Give Qurbani. Share Blessings. Spread Smiles. Because Eid belongs to everyone.