"Girls are especially exposed to great risks and I feel responsible for providing them with stability whenever possible. Some arrived at just seven years old and grew up alongside my own daughters. I try to teach them life skills, self-confidence, and respect for themselves and others," explains Mary.
Mary is proud to accompany the girls on their journey to adulthood. Many have since married and started their own families. They still remember Mary's support and keep in touch with her. "It gives me so much hope to know that I have raised a child who remembers me with joy," says Mary.
Support for sustainable livelihoods
To provide for all the girls and her own family, Mary Martin, with support from Malteser International, has established her own livelihood. She runs a small shop where she sells beans and household items. She is a member of a Village Savings and Loans Association group with 20 members and has completed a business training course offered by our team. Through this, she gained valuable knowledge and experience, which helped her continually improve her bean sales. With the income she now earns, she finances the daily needs of her household and the girls she cares for.
Mary’s life is a clear example of how simple actions can create meaningful change. She does not seek recognition. She focuses on what she can do by offering safety, guidance, and opportunity to girls who need it most.
Mary Martin has lit a symbolic light for every single girl she has taken in. And by now, these have become ten bright lights shining far and wide, sending the message that even a single person, in their own way, can achieve so much for those who need help and protection.
