"On the occasion of Mother's Day, 'Al-Rai' highlights role model mothers to emulate.
Young men and women send messages of gratitude and recognition to their non-biological mothers in SOS Children's Villages.
Amman - Tala Ayoub
Words that touch the heart, evoke emotions, sincere expressions emanating from one heart to find solace in another, overflowing with tenderness. These sentiments are illustrated through messages, conveying the highest meanings of honesty, hope, and love for the maternal figures we honor and appreciate.
Children's greetings, but not just children, rather young men and women congratulating their non-biological mothers, those who have devoted their lives to raising them, ensuring their well-being, replacing the lost family support, and being a pillar of strength in times of weakness and need.
'Al-Rai' sheds light on these exceptional mothers who work at SOS Children's Villages Jordan on the occasion of Mother's Day, celebrated annually on March 21st, and recounts the experiences of 'Mama Shahira' and 'Mama Asmahan,' who served as alternative mothers for 23 years in Irbid Children's Village, as well as 'Mama Imtiyaz,' who is also nearing retirement.
"Heartfelt Greetings"
Master's student in Germany, Hibah Abu Ayyash, extends her Mother's Day greetings to 'Mama Shahira,' saying, "God compensated me with you. You were the miraculous remedy that God sent to me, so you could compensate me for all my relatives and family. You were my entire family, Mama."
She conveys that she cannot find words to describe her immense love for her mother, stating, "You are everything to me. I even started feeling like I resemble you in terms of clothing, cooking, and cleaning," emphasizing that without her mother, she wouldn't be where she is today, and what sustains her during her time abroad is the desire to fulfill her mother's dream and make her proud.
Hibah reveals that she sees her mother as a strong, nurturing woman who fears God and never faltered in her care for her and her siblings. Her mother is their role model, filled with generosity, kindness, and love.
On her part, Ayat, a law student at Philadelphia University, extends her wishes to her mother, 'Mama Asmahan,' saying, "Mama Asmahan, you are life, hope, self-confidence, and strength for me. Without you, I feel lost. You help me solve my problems, strengthen me, and give me self-confidence."
She expresses that her mother is the most precious thing in her life, and through her, she learned the meaning of motherhood. She wishes her mother a happy Mother's Day and says, "May you always be the best mother in the world, O Lord."
Yazan, in his message to his mother, 'Mama Imtiyaz,' says, "We have grown, and worries have become our companions. But with you, I feel like a brave warrior. How could I not, with you as my strength?"
He continues, "She is the first to ask about me when I'm not around, the first hand I find when I stumble in life, the support and strength in my weakness, the beautiful embrace I seek, my laughter and happiness."
He adds, "I don't want to say 'happy Mother's Day' once a year. I'll say it humbly every day because you are the crown on my head. Your presence in my life is the true celebration. May God prolong your life, the most beautiful and precious gift in my life."
"Sincere Expressions from the Hearts of Mothers"
Excerpts from the words of 'Mama Shahira,' posted on social media on the occasion of her retirement: "I never thought I would last three months... I lasted 23 years! I am 'Mama Shahira,' a mother in Irbid Children's Village. I retired at the beginning of the year, but I will never retire from being a mother to the 20 young men and women I raised. I am now a grandmother to three grandchildren, two girls who have captivated me and a boy who enchants me!"
And it becomes clear that within the SOS Children's Villages Association, a mother does not perceive her role as merely a job, because she is a mother in every sense of the word. She is a mother in all her moments and efforts for her children, a mother with her priorities, a mother with the boundless giving that emanates from within her. She emphasizes that this human connection cannot be found anywhere else except in a family environment, and nothing can replace it.
She emphasizes that this work has given her the opportunity to exercise the instinct that God has created within her – motherhood. She explains that when she used to have time off, she would eagerly anticipate returning quickly because she had become attached to her sons and daughters. They became the center of her life. She was the one who raised them and grew alongside them. Among them, some work, some got married, and some have children, and they call her 'Teta' (grandmother)!
She directs her words to her daughter Hibah, saying, "I am proud of you and all my daughters and sons! I am truly proud to be your mother, to be your primary reference for every little and big thing in your lives. You all mean the world to me! I realized I succeeded in my journey as a mother when I saw you all happy for each other in times of joy and supporting each other in times of difficulty. This is the essence of family. I thank the SOS Children's Villages Jordan that allowed me to meet you all and gave us the opportunity to be a family in every sense of the word."
On her part, 'Mama Asmahan' expresses through the Association's social media page, "I will make you cry tears of joy! This is what my son told me during the Tawjihi exams, and indeed, I cried tears of happiness upon his success."
She recounts a part of her experience in the Association with her children as a mother who raised and guided 15 boys and girls to graduation. "When I started 23 years ago, the challenge was significant. I was one of the first mothers in the Irbid Village. I remember how the community's acceptance of the children was difficult. People used to ask them about their mothers and fathers, and they didn't know how to respond at the time. My goal was to empower them and build their self-confidence, so they could become successful and outstanding individuals."
She continues her narrative by saying, "Love is a feeling; love is giving. I love them very much. I will never forget our enjoyable times. Thanks to God, I saw all my children graduate before my retirement."
"The Noble Profession of Foster Motherhood"
On her part, Nancy Afram, Fund Development and Communications Director at SOS Children's Villages Jordan, says, "Mother's Day is a special occasion for us. We celebrate women who have dedicated their lives to a noble profession – being foster mothers. They have become alternative mothers to children who have lost their biological family support and have been deprived of living with a father and mother within a natural family structure."
She adds in her conversation with 'Al-Rai' that these mothers have provided them with the love and care they needed, considering them their own children, and in turn, the children consider them their mothers. Mother's Day is a special day in the three villages – Amman, Irbid, and Aqaba – where the children express their love for their mothers who have devoted their lives to them. The day is marked with celebrations involving the local community and supporting partners who come to the villages, bring gifts to the mothers, and engage in activities to make this day stand out.
Afram continues, "The children deserve all the joy on this day, and the mothers deserve all the appreciation. These mothers have dedicated themselves for a long period, up to 20 years, to be mothers to these children. They live with them, take care of them, provide them with meals, welcome them back from school, play with them, and educate them until the day ends and a new one begins."
She points out that there are some children who have biological families but choose to celebrate with their alternative mothers because, as they put it, "The mother who raises is more important than the one who gives birth."