My grandmother was the village go-to person for anything. She was so well-respected that when she passed away, over 300 people came to attend her funeral. This was unheard of. She was a strong woman, having endured a first husband who left her with 2 kids and then another husband whose wrongful death left her with 3 kids. How she made it through to single-handedly raise her family is a constant source of inspiration for me.

Although I have only met her in two photographs in young adulthood and sparse stories in adulthood, I feel as if her passion to help people, particularly women, have somehow been passed down to me. She remains in my daily prayers of gratitude and appreciation. I am proud to have her in my ancestral lineage.