Sundaymail Editor
Debra Matabvu
FIFTY-six-year-old Baburina Madyira is a mother to 14 children, with her youngest child aged two.
Of all her “children”, she only brought two into the world.
The rest were brought by strangers she has never met. Regardless, she loves them as much as she loves her own.
Baburina is one of the matrons at Chinyaradzo Children’s Home in Harare, and today she joins millions of mothers from across the world in celebrating Mother’s Day.
She has been working at the home for over two decades and helped raise dozens of children over the years.
She is among scores of special women who devote their lives to mothering children who, for one reason or another, cannot be raised by their biological parents.
Despite the circumstances, she considers herself a mother to all the children under her care.
“Every woman is born with the love and warmth needed to nurture a person from birth up to death,” she told The Sunday Mail.
“When I came to this institution 21 years ago, I thought it was just a passion, but with time, I realised I had found my calling in life.
“I realised I could effortlessly give something I had and would never run out of. Every child deserves to grow up with a mother.
“In Shona, they have a saying: ‘mwana ndimai’, meaning a child needs a mother’s love, warmth and presence for a good upbringing.
“And I am proud to say I have lost count of the children I have mothered in my lifetime.”
Born in Manicaland on June 1, 1966, she relocated to Harare soon after she was married.
She had an epiphany after giving birth to her second child.
Suddenly, she realised that she had the heart and love to care for more children, even those belonging to strangers.
In 2000, Baburina started training at Chinyaradzo and after excelling during seven years of internship, she was hired full-time.
Through experience, she learnt that when caring for orphaned children, one needs to go the extra mile to create a strong maternal bond.
“It is very different from taking care of your own children,” she explained.
“You really have to empty yourself to create more space in your heart of hearts so that you can have a bond with the child.
“The only way to a child’s heart is through love and attention.
“However, in such situations you have to go an extra mile.
“And when one of them falls ill, you have to be on guard around the clock because you would not want all the children in the house to fall ill.”
When a child reaches 18, they are released from the children’s home to begin a new life as an independent adult.
She said, however, the bond created between mother and child over the years usually lasts a lifetime.
Over the years, Baburina has attended weddings of children she has raised at the home.
Watching her “child” deliver wedding vows, she said, always makes her feel proud and realise that she is bringing positive change into the world.
“Two weeks ago one of my children got married and I was part of the traditional bridal procession,” she said with a face etched with a huge grin that betrayed her joy.
“I have also seen children I have raised graduate from institutions such Midlands State University, teachers’ colleges, and those are the moments that keep us going.
“The good part about it is whenever something big happens in their life, they invite us and want us to be part of the celebrations.”
Chinyaradzo Children’s Home was established in 1962. It has raised hundreds of children, some of whom have since made a name for themselves in various professions Currently, 59 children aged between two and 16 are staying at the home.
The home’s supervisor, Mrs Veniah Mudhara, who has worked at the orphanage for over 30 years, said: “If you are a mother, alive and well, make a home for a child. Be there even when times are tough. For a child, the scars of being abandoned sometimes never heal.”
Online Reporter