A precious gift on Mother's Day

SOS mother Malle is anxiously waiting for Mother's Day to see who is going to take the role of the leader among children, although she is experiencing deja vu - sleepless nights and constant readiness to rush wherever and whenever she is needed.

Mother's Day, Extra Pure

This year's Mother's Day on 11 May will be special for SOS mother Malle in SOS Children's Village Keila, Estonia; the day recalls her past. She is refreshing her memory with vivid experiences, which she practised 17 years ago when she had her own baby.

Malle says that she appreciates the day very much but the real importance; the educational effect it has on children. "On Mother's Day everyone is trying hard; if on a regular day not all ends with success, then on Mother's Day it certainly does thanks to the children's wish to do something for his or her mother," she reckons. "It gives them a wonderful opportunity to be a grown-up for one day."

For the 7th year in a row, Malle can take a day-off from the kitchen on that day - the kids prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner. They start discussing about the possible menu already weeks before the day.

Who is the leader?

"It's a special day," explains twelve-year-old Inge why mother has a day-off on that day. 14-year-old Kaido adds that this year's plans are not finally confirmed. "We will sing for her, that's for sure, but not all the kitchen "problems" have been solved yet."

What do you wish for your mother?
"All the best, I think she is the best in the way she is. I wish she would never change,"says Inge.

"I wish her good health for a long, long time, so she could raise us all. I think she should simply keep up the good work and keep the high spirit," wishes Kaido.

"This year is quite interesting for me - I can only guess who will take the leader's role among children. Older children have already left the SOS Children's Village, so we will see who fills their place," says Malle.

But that's not the reason why Malle considers this year's Mother's Day different from previous ones and special. Approximately a month ago two new kids came to her family and what makes it noticeable - twelve-year-old La Sessica's little brother Arli is only one year and two months old (he is also the youngest kid ever to join SOS Children's Village Keila, but he will not be "record holder" for long - there will be a three-month-old baby in the village quite soon).

An eye always awake

"A baby changes the whole life - one eye is never asleep. That's why this year's Mother's Day is extra pure with sleepless nights and first words from the baby. The word "Mom" is on his way out," tells Malle, whose biological son is 17 years old and often visits the village.

The same way children have adopted Malle's son they also welcomed the two new kids. Being not so noisy at evenings when the baby boy is sleeping, tidying the rooms and especially the floors form stuff is a daily duty, which is made with no comments.

There is also a little, but important effect for Inge. "Now I'm not the youngest in the family anymore and don't have to listen to others, except mother, of course."

"Everyone has changed and that's inevitable, but I haven't heard any grumble," says Malle. "It's a wonderful possibility for girls to practise to take care of a child; some day they'll become mothers and then the experience will be invaluable."

SOS Children has been working in Estonia since the early 1990s. The SOS Children's Village Keila has been a family to children alone since 1994. Over 50 children are cared for by their SOS mothers here and a further 700 hundred children and their families are supported in the community to help prevent children being abandoned.

You can support children in Estonia by sponsoring a child for Mother's day gift.