Mothers are much more than just a comforting presence in a household. They are the anchor of their community. 

Mothers farm through droughts, supplying food so their children can grow up strong. They propel their kids through obstacles at school, cheering them on through the challenges of young adolescent life. They innovate, always learning new skills to provide for their family.

Mothers support one another. Their resilience and determination are at the heart of community development.

In honour of Mother’s Day, meet three mothers from across the world who each sacrificed and persevered to create a better world for their children.

A Mother in Cambodia Moved Her Daughter Forward

Saem lives in Cambodia with her 10-year-old daughter, Boungam. Like many mothers, Saem watched as Boungam struggled to make friends and take care of herself. 

As many mothers do, Saem worried that her daughter’s lack of confidence would interfere with her ability to express herself and limit her future opportunities. 

However, Saem encouraged Boungam to attend FH Cambodia activities at her school, where she learned about the importance of connecting with her community. Boungam learned how important going to school is. Saem witnessed with pride as Boungam grew in confidence and began to care for her health and hygiene. 

Her daughter is now deeply involved in her community and even dreams of becoming a teacher!

“My daughter’s transformation gives me hope,” Saem beams with pride. “Our community is also improving—with stronger unity and a cleaner environment. Seeing these real changes in my family and those around me fills me with joy and strength for the future.”

With the support of her mother and her school, Boungam is no longer held back by fear. Instead, she encourages and supports other children around her.

A Mother in Uganda Learned With Her Children

Barbra’s favourite part of the evening is when her children come sit by her side. Together, they open books, flip through pages, and step into new worlds of reading. But this wasn’t always part of her routine. 

In Barbra’s community of Bukiende, in rural Uganda, women are often illiterate and focus on domestic roles. Because of this, Barbra, like many women in her community, didn’t know that her role in her children’s education could extend beyond dropping them off at school. She felt disconnected from her children’s schooling. She wasn’t sure what to do.

When Barbra began attending a group for mothers about how to support their children’s education, she received the clarity she needed about her role. 

Barbra began to set aside time to read with her kids every day. Now, she even visits them at school and knows their teachers by name. Her relationship with her kids is stronger than ever!

Through agricultural training, her tomato business also began to take off. With this new extra income, Barbra invested in more books to read with her children. 

“With FH Uganda’s interventions,” Barbra says, “many changes have taken place in the community, and these give a ray of hope for our children to succeed in education and transform our community. Caregivers are involved in the learning of their children. We want to empower them and make them self-reliant and responsible citizens.”

Mothers like Barbra, who are willing to learn new tools and invest in their children, lay the foundations of successful futures for their children.

A Mother in Bangladesh Protected Her Daughters

Tahera got married when she was 14 years old.

All of a sudden she was responsible for an overwhelming number of household activities. She struggled to balance the responsibilities of being a wife while still being a child herself.

Tahera felt her opportunities slipping away, and the dreams she once held for her future beginning to fade. None of the adults around her knew how much emotional pain and bitterness marrying so young would bring her. 

Years later, in April 2025, when the Child Marriage No More Project began in her community, Tahera immediately enrolled as a deeply committed member. Sitting in group meetings, she learned about the effects and legal consequences of child marriage. She had seen the effects in her own life and the lessons deeply resonated. With each meeting, she began to feel a new sense of responsibility to her children and community. 

Today, Tahera has transformed from a survivor of child marriage to an advocate against it. She is determined that none of her daughters will be a victim of early marriage. She and her husband promised to prioritise their daughters’ education. 

Today, her oldest daughter is preparing for university, while her other two daughters are on the way to completing high school marriage-free. 

Tahera’s personal experiences are protecting her daughters and her entire community. 

This Mother’s Day

Mothers like Seam, Barbra, and Tahera will learn anything and everything to give their children better lives and opportunities. When mothers are equipped with tools and skills, they invest them back into their families and communities. Gifts like Girls’ Education and Garden Tools helped Saem, Barbra, and Tahera build better lives for their children.

This Mother’s Day, you can honour your mom by supporting mothers around the world who are working just as hard to keep their children safe, healthy, and thriving.

Add impact to your Mother’s Day gift and browse the Gift Guide to find a gift a mom in your life would love.

This year, when you give a Mother’s Day gift, you’ll receive an exclusive card to share with a mother in ow a gift was made in her honour.card was created by local Canadian artist Katie Rodgers.

Give a Mother’s Day gift and order your card today.

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