Om Hassan
The one thing I hope for,
Is that God doesn’t leave our sides.
I need Him with us at home,
And at school.
That’s the one thing I hope for.
Aly wants to work abroad to make enough money to marry off his sisters.
He wants to see them in their new homes.
I’m grateful that I can provide for my children.
They’re doing alright.
What should I feed them?
What are the things I should buy for them?
Are they happy? Sad?
I sometimes ask them.
Sometimes they answer,
Other times, they don’t.
I hope they continue their education,
And get their degrees.
Thank God for everything.
I pray to God to live to see the day they get married.
I want to see them well-off,
And happily married.
Soaad
My daughters are the ones that keep me going,
And reassure my faith in God.
I hope we always stay together.
One of them got married after her father’s death.
They’re all married now,
But they still have a long way to go on their educational journey.
I hope God gives me the necessary strength and willpower.
I never want to see them sad.
And I don’t like for them to see me in a bad state.
I’m not always doing well;
Mentally, emotionally, and financially,
But I never let it show.
I make them think I’m very wealthy,
And that I’m doing great.
I don’t want them to know I’m weak.
I don’t like my children to see me crying,
Which I sometimes do at night.
I want them to grow up to be strong.
I’m not strong,
And I’m easily terrified by everything.
I know it’s difficult to pass on to my children what I don’t have,
But I still try.
I’m hoping I’ll be able to provide for them until they finish their education.
I won’t be worried about them when I marry them off.
I’m grateful.
Nawal
My son has no one but me.
I want to marry him off before I die.
He received the best education.
I made sure of that.
I didn’t need anyone’s help.
I had God by my side.
Thank God.
I don’t like for him to see me tired.
“What’s wrong, mama?” he often asks.
“Nothing’s wrong,” is my usual reply.
I want to marry him off,
Just to make sure he doesn’t turn to anyone after I’m gone.
He has no one but me.