The director-general in the ministry of Child and Social Welfare in Western Bahr el Ghazal State has called on mothers across the country to take good care of orphans, as they celebrated mothers' day on Monday in Wau.
“I want to say that the word mother is not only a woman that has given birth to you, but a mother is also a person that stood with you, a mother is a person that raised you, a mother is a person that has taught you or given you good advice,” Anne Daniel Ali said. “A child whose mother died is our responsibility to take good care of. Don’t let the child of your sister who died suffer while you are seeing it because it is your child.”
Anne also praised women for being able to understand the needs of children, and said, "therefore, we have to take good care of all our children and not isolate children whose parents have died.”
Sada Peter Edward, one of the mothers who celebrated mother’s day, said she was very happy to see that their day is being recognized in South Sudan.
“Today is very special because I am very happy, it has never happened that I celebrate such a day, the importance is that I came to know that a mother is everything to the country and the whole world,” Sada said. “I want to say that let every mother take good care of children, if you get the child of your sister on the street, don’t beat, don’t insult, but whatever you have or even water, give her to drink,” said Sada.
A 10-year-old child identified as Lula William who joined the mother’s day occasion in Wau said she is very happy with her mother because she provides for her.
“Today am very happy with the celebration of our mother’s day, it is my mother that brought me and gives me everything, she is the one that took me to school and gives me food,” said Lula.
For his part, Lt. Col. Mizan of the UN peacekeepers from the Bangladeshi Banbat 4 contingent who organized the ceremony, said it is very essential to show mothers respect and honor across the world.
“It is very essential for the progress and the preservation of human society that we give due respect to our mothers and fulfill our duties toward them. A mother gives birth to kids and they deserve to be respected,” Lt. Col. Mizan said.