The first time I met my baby sister Nwando, on a visit to Nigeria, I was a first-time mum myself. Ezra was just starting to cruise at 10 months old.
Nwando, only 1 year older, was a chatty little toddler and fiercely possessive of our mother.
My mum adopted her as a baby, not long after we buried my father. For some months, she’d been talking about adopting a child — she’d been inspired by a couple of her sisters who had themselves adopted little ones, years after their natural born chicks had flown the nest.
But neither my older brother, my sister nor I had imagined she would adopt an infant nor could we foresee how intricately Nwando’s story would become woven into our family history.
Being in her late ’60s, my mother predicted that Nwando might refer to her as ‘grandma’ by the time she started school.
To this day, Nwando simply calls her ‘Mummy’ and she is every bit my mother’s child. People even say she looks like me.
Some might question why a woman way past childbearing age would adopt a baby. But in Nigeria, not only is there a wider support network for raising kids (the proverb ‘it takes a village’ is said to originate from our tribe, the Ibos) but the idea of what and who makes a family is far less static.
Nwando is funny, cheeky, independent, super smart, best friends with my kids and the apple of my mum’s eye. She’s our living example of how embracing a child in need can not only transform their life but your own.
There are so many ways to make a difference in a little person’s world — and you don’t have to go as far as adoption.
Child sponsorship is a wonderful option that allows you to invest a small amount for a life-changing impact on the wellbeing of a child and their community.
I’m writing about The First Time in support of ActionAid and Child Sponsorship Week. Last summer I attended the ActionAid Summer Blog Party where I heard about the amazing work the charity does in Myanmar (Burma).
For the first time, ActionAid is able to offer child sponsorship in Myanmar and to launch this programme, actress Samantha Womack took messages created by our children at the ActionAid Blog Party to kids in Myanmar.
Ezra and Jed loved making self portraits and writing short ‘bios’ to describe their daily lives and I felt so proud seeing this video clip of Samantha Womack sharing what my kids made with their Myanmar peers.
ActionAid is asking people across the UK to celebrate Child Sponsorship Week and make a huge change to all the people who have endured decades of struggle and uncertainty in Burma/Myanmar and elsewhere in the developing world.
There are 1600 children in Burma to sponsor but worldwide there are 5000 children that need sponsorship in 17 countries.
For just 50p a day sponsors have the opportunity to change a child’s and community’s future not just for today but forever. For information on how to get involved and transform a child’s life visit www.actionaid.org.uk/child
Get involved for Child Sponsorship Week! Post about The First Time, share this post and videos, think about investing in a child’s future in Myanmar or elsewhere in the world.
Watch Samantha Womack in Myanmar and how her trip encouraged her decision to sponsor a child.
Photo credits: ActionAid (Ezra at Blogging Party and Samantha Womack in Myanmar)
Couldn’t agree more with how great it is to sponsor a child! We’ve been sponsoring Ishara from Sri Lanka for a while now and she sends such lovely letters and drawings. It helps my two children to understand just how lucky they are to have so much. One thing I didn’t appreciate before we signed up was just how young Ishara’s mother was. Yes our sponsorship helps the community but for me personally it’s so important to help these two vulnerable ‘girls’. If you can afford to give a small amount each week I promise you will receive so much more in return. I am looking forward to visiting Sri Lanka and meeting Ishara. Hopefully she will have become an educated, independent young women.
Really lovely post. I think it’s wonderful that you mother and her sisters all adopted. There are so many children in need of a loving family and stable upbringing that I commend anyone who decides to adopt.
I would love to adopt but our personal circumstances cannot cater for it so we sponsor a child in Niger instead.
Hi Joanna, thanks for commenting and fantastic to hear about your experience of sponsoring Ishara. You’re absolutely right about the fact that you’re essentially helping 2 ‘girls’ in one, and in fact child sponsorship seems to have an effect far more wide-reaching than helping nor individual. Then again, it’s that personal connection that appeals to me too x
Thanks Circus Mum, having Nwando as part of our family has been such a bonus, especially to my mum who had thought she was way past the little ones stage! Lovely to hear that you sponsor a child. When I was little I actually used to fantasise about adopting children from all over the world like Josephine Baker, that was my dream family. Nowadays with raising my own 2 little ones, that seems a bit of a pipe dream but who knows what the future will hold? x
What a wonderful and selfless thing to do – I love your mother’s story she is obviously a remarkable woman – Nwando sounds very special too – clearly they were meant to be together.
Hi Gemma, thanks for your comment, my mum is a special lady in more ways than one. Nwando is so much a part of our family, we even see personality and physical traits that relate to other members including my maternal grandmother! Adoption is such a fascinating journey x
I loved reading this Uju, the more I find out about your family, the more I am in awe, as Gemma says what a selfless thing to do. And a really exciting dimension to family life for Nwando and your children, and all of you!
Aww what a sweet comment Penny and to be honest I’d say adoption is both selfish and selfless, like any other type of parenting! – my mum needed Nwando as much as Nwando needed her in many ways. She’s a real little character, hoping we’ll get her to London someday soon and maybe you might meet her at some point!
What a lovely post – and what a fabulous woman your mother is. You must be very proud of her! xx
Thanks so much and yes we’re very proud of her in so many ways!
This post has literally made me cry, your mother is an incredible lady (you obviously take after her). I agree with Penny, what a selfless and life changing incredible thing to do and Nwando looks like an amazing little girl. The video was really moving too xx
You know what Vicki, Nwando is such a funny, bright and chatty girl and you would absolutely love her because she has that star quality. Gorgeous long eyelashes, brimming with personality, made to be on camera! Thanks so much for the lovely comments x