Interview from Nairobi, Kenya with SOS Mother

Nancy Gicheru has been working as an SOS mother at SOS Children's Village Nairobi in Kenya for nine years. She is a brave and courageous lady who's got a soft spot for children. In this interview, she talks about her own motherhood, her wishes for other mothers, and Mother's Day.

How many children are living with you?
I've got twelve children, seven girls and five boys. Two of the girls are my biological children. We're a team at the family house, and it works well. The children love and appreciate one another.

How would you describe your task as an SOS mother?
The life of an SOS mother is not easy, because you have to dedicate your life to the children. So much depends on you, because you are the main pillar in the house. As an SOS mother you have to be organised. There are a lot of things I should be doing right now, but time is short. I have to divide my time up so that I can be with the children, go to a meeting and do all my other work. Perhaps I have to go to the school, because one of the children has had problems. You have to rush here and there and back again, because the other children are waiting for their meal.

What was the most special and beautiful moment you ever experienced as an SOS mother?
1) Visit to SOS Children's Village Addis Abeba in Ethiopia
I was privileged to visit SOS Children's Village Addis Abeba after nursing a sick child from Ethiopia, who has now grown into an energetic young teenager.

2) Raising children
Taking a new child into my SOS family, raising them from childhood and "turning" them into young adults until they are fully integrated into the community

3) Recognition
• Featuring in the book "Women's Lives - SOS Mothers around the world tell their stories"
• Being awarded the Ring of Honour and a certificate by SOS Children's Villages President Helmut Kutin

What special thing do you think you can give the children to help them on their way?

Faith and recognition; we share our views, our joys and our worries. We sit down together as a family and try to find solutions and improvements to the way we live together.

What do you wish for the girls and the boys?
I'd like to see my family develop well. As long as I'm together with the children, I'll make sure that they do all right. They should become independent, and then perhaps I'll be happy and will appreciate my own achievements more. I'd like to keep on seeing them, even when they don't live here anymore. I'd like to know they are continuing what I've taught them, for example, the spirit of togetherness.

What is your wish for all the mothers in the world?
My wishes for all the mothers are that they have an opportunity to come together to share ideas and experiences, and that everybody in the world
• knows that there's no one like MOTHER;
• appreciates them in every way because they nurture and protect even the most rebellious children - bringing the best out of them;
• recognises and celebrates the special and unique strengths of a mother.

How do you celebrate Mother's Day at the SOS Children's Village with your SOS children?
My SOS children always send me gifts and cards as a way of expressing their appreciation.