Two special women

There are two women who made a lasting impression on me while working in Africa with World Vision many years ago.

One of them was Aminata, with whom I lived for a period of time. She exemplified resourcefulness.

This trait was on full display when I took a trip with her to the countryside. I felt quite accomplished travelling with a single luggage case. But Aminata outdid me and brought along one small bag for herself and six children.

She knew how to find an old bottle and some water to clean up the baby. She knew which low-cost high energy biscuits would keep hunger at bay. She knew how to use her veil as a mosquito net for the family.

I admired how Aminata wore her only outfit like a princess and how she laughed and chatted with people as if life was easy, which I knew was not the case for her.

I also developed a close friendship with Hawa, whom I met when she inquired about support for a women’s group she was leading. She spoke eloquently in good French and was brightly dressed.

I eventually ended up living with a family just a few houses away from her on the edge of the Saharan sand dunes, while she lived in a two-room metal shed with her five young children.

As a widow, Hawa needed to fend for herself. Many days she could barely cook a single meal. After connecting with other women in similar situations, she helped to launch a community shop because it was too expensive to travel to the market every day.

After pitching in to buy staples such as rice, oil, salt, tea, and sugar, the women took turns replenishing the stock. Group members bought at net price while others payed a bit more to grow the shop’s capital.

I often walked over to Hawa’s place to chat with her. She always seemed to be available, joyful, and dignified. And yet I knew that she struggled in not having enough money for the most basic things.

For example, she would not be able to replace the used-up pencil of her child, and without it, the child would not be allowed to go to class. When a relative visited, she would borrow a bit of tea and sugar to make the guest feel welcome – not knowing how she would pay back her debts.

Hawa displayed so much strength despite the heavy burdens she carried every day that I often came home feeling challenged about my own resilience, hope, and faith.

Despite the many differences between myself, Aminata, and Hawa, we bonded through womanhood, loving children, and our desire to make our community more liveable.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” – Proverbs 31:25