How did you become an SOS Mother?

I was living in a rural area giving adult literacy classes when my cousin informed me that SOS Children's Villages was looking for SOS Mothers to take care of children. I applied and got the job. First, I started as a trainee SOS Auntie. It was later when I became a true SOS Mother after the training and experience I had already acquired in the Village.

What does an SOS Mother do on a day-to-day basis?

An SOS Mother gets up at 5 o'clock in the morning. If she's religious, she might say her prayers before she makes her bed. Then, she makes sure that small household chores have been done by the older children and that they are already preparing for school. She gets the smallest children ready and prepares their breakfast. She makes sure that the children leave the house early to be at school on time. I have a five-month-old baby so I stay at home when the others have already left.

After the children have left, the SOS Mother continues her day with washing, housekeeping and cooking. When the children return from school, they eat lunch and the SOS Mother makes sure they take a nap before going back to school.  The afternoon always goes by so quickly that there is often no time to waste before you have to prepare snacks and dinner! In the evenings, the children will review their lessons and the smaller children go to bed first at 9:00 PM. At 10:30 PM, we switch off all the lights in the house.

What do you like most about being an SOS Mother?

I like watching the children find success in their lives, whether it's a school project, sports, or just learning life lessons. It is a great source of satisfaction for me to see young children become independent.

What are the problems an SOS Mother faces?

The problems an SOS Mother faces are numerous and, unfortunately, I cannot name them all here. The most crucial and most recurrent problem is that the SOS Mother receives children from various walks of life and each child has his or her own specific problems. The SOS Mother must help children heal their wounds by giving them tenderness, affection and love.

What does International Women's Day represent for you?

I consider International Women's Day a festive day. It is an important day because the whole world recognizes the value of women, their rights and their potential. There are women here in Togo who receive higher education and can fill the same positions men do. Many women are leaders and it is important to celebrate that.

What are the problems women in Togo face?

Many women in Togo do not have access to education. Many do not even know about their rights and duties. Their life is limited to their home while they hope for better things to come. They could share responsibilities within their respective families, take part in the development of our country, and occupy the same positions men do.

What values do you find important to teach your children, particularly the girls?

I consider myself an educator and I find it important to teach my children self-respect, a sense of charity and mutual forgiveness. I also teach them to persevere and worship God. I speak to them about sexual education and also show them how to perform small household chores. When it comes to girls, I insist on the necessity of clinging onto their studies and the pride of a woman's dignity.

Can you tell us a remarkable story experienced here at SOS Children's Villages Lome?

My most memorable SOS Lome story is about the first time I welcome a new baby girl to the Village, which was in July 2005, seven months after I started working as an SOS Mother. I was alone at home because my colleagues had gone to a picnic. When they came back, they found me with the two-month-old baby girl who had been brought to the Village that day. I was carrying her and I was very happy because she was the first girl to be received by my family. Everybody at home was happy with her. We welcomed the little girl with a small party enjoyed by the whole village. I still have very good memories of this day.