‘A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.’—Agatha Christie in The Last Séance

As a mother of three I can attest to this. From the moment the nurse placed each of my children into my arms, I knew I would move whatever mountain dared get in the way of their success. That’s just what mums do.

Author with her newborn daughter.

It has always been thus. 

Audacious Courage and Faith

At the beginning of Exodus in Scripture, we’re confronted with Pharaoh’s killing of infant Hebrew boys. But Scripture doesn’t linger on the horror. Rather, it’s the courageous midwives who refused to follow pharaoh’s orders who stand out, and one woman in particular—Jochebed, the mother of Moses.

‘When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.’ (Exodus 2:2-3)

Under God’s kindness, and with the help of her quick-witted daughter, Jochebed enacted a strategy to have her son adopted by a member of the royal family (what princess could resist a beautiful three-month-old baby?). This meant that Jochebed’s child not only lived, but was educated and extended opportunities that equipped him for the role he would later play as leader of God’s people. Thank God for giving mothers such drive and courage!

Invisible Mothers

We may be inclined to think that the sort of terror Jochebed felt belongs only in the ancient world, but the truth is that the poverty and oppression still exist alongside motherhood. According to UNICEF’s 2025 report, ‘417 million children are severely deprived in at least two of life’s essentials—education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation and clean water’. These children have or had mothers aching to give their child all they need, but we rarely hear about these women. Here’s just one.

Sali And Sok

Sali and seven-year-old Sok live in rural Cambodia where poverty continues to make life difficult for many families. Sali inherited a small farm from her father, but without adequate water access and training in farming, it was impossible to make it productive. And with her husband away seeking a wage as a labourer, it all fell to Sali to provide for Sok and her ageing mother, as well as her brother and his wife.

‘I would like to see my child accomplish a higher education and have a bright future.’ —Sali

Sali hadn’t had much schooling herself, having left very early to help her own parents on the farm. She knew Sok needed to go to school so he could overcome poverty and have a better life. But she was already rising at 3am to work on the farm, forage for wild vegetables, catch fish and do everything in her power to provide for them all. What more could she do to provide enough food to feed the family and have enough left to fund Sok’s education?

Breaking The Cycle

So Sali found a new way of working. Our local Christian Partner in Cambodia could see how much Sali was already doing to make a better life when they invited her to be part of their program. She jumped at the opportunity and dedicated herself to learning new agricultural techniques that saw her greatly improve her vegetable and chicken farming. Additionally, with support from our Partner, she installed a new solar powered water pump, bringing life-giving water to her farm all year around.

These changes made a massive difference. Her family now have a secure house, enough to eat, and critically, there was enough food left over to sell and send young Sok to school.

Unleashing Potential

Like good mums everywhere, Sali put her all into removing the barriers that threatened to stop her child from having the best possible life. But poverty made it so much more difficult. Our Partners around the world know that mums like Sali have the tenacity and drive to create a better life for their children. They just need support.

If you’d like to see a world where poverty has ended and all mums see their children thrive in fullness of life, consider a gift to our Matching Grant Appeal. Help goodness grow where poverty thwarts potential.