Mum was made a widow at 36 - but she raised 6 children on her own and even adopted 2 sons

Mum was made a widow at 36 - but she raised 6 children on her own and even adopted 2 sons

Susan, 54, sees her mother as one of her inspirations. Her father died when he was 39 years old, but her mother Agnes, 81, stayed strong and brought up six children on her own.

She later adopted two sons despite the difficulty she faced. She even serves in a ministry at church.

Here is her entry for citizen journalism site Stomp's Top Mum Awards 2015:

"Dad died from cancer at the age of 39. Mum was made a widow at 36 years old and with six children aged eight to 15.

"Mum had no time to grieve as she has to juggle two jobs.

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"Beside these two jobs, mom would wake up at 4am to make curry puffs which my eldest sister would sell at a factory near home before heading to school.

"Mum would make sure that all of us had breakfast before going to school.

"She would also prepare lunch and we would heat it up when we got home.

"Mum worked for a British family from 8am to 4pm and she would prepare dinner and head off to her second job as a cleaner at a hotel.

"She worked till late and by the time she came home, we were all asleep.

"She also had to provide us with food, clothes, a warm cosy home, without any help. She put her children above everything.

"Mum is different from any other ordinary mother because she is able to do without the support of a man in her life.

"She has shed countless blood, sweat and tears all for the sake of her children. Yet, she never complained of tiredness.

"When my three sisters were able to contribute to the household, my mum adopted two boys from a broken home and showered them with as much love as she had for her six children.

"Today, mum is 81 years old. She is the strongest woman I know with the kindest heart.

"And with her advanced age, mum is still serving ministry in church.

"She is my inspiration, a hardworking, loving person who managed to raise four daughters and four sons (two adopted) on her own.

"She taught us everything from about life and how important it is to study hard, be humble, and have a good career path ahead.

"I am proud to call this woman "Ma" because of her strong will and love that has motivated her to survive and provide for her children.

"My mum has given my siblings and I the inspiration to become a strong, successful individual.

"We may not have any luxuries like other children may have but we are contented with what we have and that's love surrounding our closed knit family.

"Thank you "Ma" for supporting and guiding me and my siblings throughout our lives and raising us to be the intelligent, resolute person we are today.

"Ma, we love you."


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