Mother’s Day is right around the corner, so in honor of mothers everywhere and the education they work so hard to provide their children, we have decided that 100% of proceeds from select Mend products between now and May 13 will go toward our Legacy Scholarship Program. An investment in education is a way that we can honor mothers all over the world because mothers are our first and greatest teachers. We sat down for a chat with Legacy Scholarship student Collines Angwech to discuss her favorite topic: her mother!

Collines (right) with her mother, Jess.

Tell me a little bit about your mom. How big is your family?
My mom’s name is Jess and she is the sweetest woman on earth. She is 39 now and lives by herself when the kids are in school. There are six of us, one boy and five girls. She is a single mother and is so loving. We had other kids growing up in our home as well since she took in kids who’s parents had died or who needed a place to stay.

What is the greatest life lesson that your mother has taught you?
(With no hesitation) To be a strong woman. My mom is the strongest woman and every time I am feeling down or about to give up, I just see how much she has never given up on life. From the time we lost our Dad to problems within the village. There was also a time where she was going through a lot as people of the community, members of our village, didn’t want girls to go to school. Even our Uncles said, “You’re not going to school, you are ready for marriage.” But my Mom was firm and said, “No you have a future, your father wanted you to study, and that is what you are going to do.” She wanted us to go to school and was going to make sure it happened; she stayed strong and was going to do whatever she believed in. She would always push me to do better and tell me “Collines do your work!” The one message I have learned from her is to stand strong and believe in yourself! Never quit on what you believe to be right.

If you could tell her thanks for all that she has done for you, what would you say?
Aaaaaaaaah. A million things. You want to write a million things? I would thank her for being the woman that she is, and for raising us with so much love. For not giving up, ever.

She sounds amazing. Thanks so much for sharing with us, Collines.
Of course. I’m so happy to tell others about my mom. I love her so much. You are all welcome to come meet her in Uganda!