A Mother's Daily Dedication: Amelia’s Story

Parents' Daily Effort  School Routine

The gleam of white shirts, perfectly pressed uniforms, polished shoes, and neatly combed hair—all reflect the enthusiastic effort that the families served by EI put into their morning routine. This role is lovingly taken on by a parent, grandparent, or older sibling, offering essential support.  This daily commitment plays a crucial role in children’s academic success, helping them arrive at school by 6:55 a.m., ready to learn.

Children are beginning their school day.

Amelia, mother of Rosa and Esmeralda, shares her daily routine:

“My day begins at 5:30 a.m. when I light the stove. While it heats up, I gather firewood to keep the fire going, as this stove is used to heat the water my daughters need for their morning baths before school.

I wake up Rosa and Jennifer and prepare their breakfast: fried eggs, beans, fried cheese—or our favorite, gallo pinto. If we are not able to purchase these, we make do with coffee and bread. I help Rosa get dressed in her school uniform while Jennifer, who is 13, gets ready on her own. By 6:45 a.m., we’re out the door, heading to school with hugs and words of encouragement to start their day right.”

Amelia is helping Rosa get ready for school.

But do the children return home in the same condition they left? The answer is no. Dusty shoes, stained uniforms from a full day of activities, and tousled hair tell the story of children who played and learned. Every evening, mothers like Amelia wash and iron the school uniforms to keep them spotless for the next day.

“After dropping the girls off, I return home to do the chores and prepare meals. I have to make sure our water tanks are filled, as we only receive potable water once a week. I fill enough bins to last the week for my daughters and me. I also wash the clothes and uniforms they’ll need for school.”

Laundering the kids uniforms for the next day.

“Then my workday begins, where I sell raffle tickets. Sales can be unpredictable, so I also take on laundry and ironing jobs to help cover our rent, water, and electricity costs. On days when I have more laundry or ironing to do, Rosa and Esmeralda go to the foundation education center earlier, where they eat lunch before tutoring. Sometimes, I simply don’t earn enough to buy food and this helps us a lot. Meeting basic needs—housing, healthcare, and food—is a challenge I face every single day.

Rosa and Esmeralda know we are united, and with the support of Empowerment/ADEINIC, we can overcome any obstacle. They spend most of their time at EI, which gives me the time I need to work. At the end of my day, they wait for me there so we can walk home together and prepare for the next day.

Rosa and Esmeralda with their school package for the first half of 2025.

Professor Orlando is enrolling Amelia (mother), Rosa, and Esmeralda for the 2025 program in our education center.

We come home tired, but we always talk about our day as we prepare dinner. Then we go over homework, clean their shoes, prepare their uniforms, and pack backpacks for school. We try to get as much ready as possible the night before because our mornings start early.”

Amelia’s story is just one of many that shows the strength and sacrifice behind every child’s success. Thanks to your support, families like hers are not alone. Together, we make it easier for families to attend school and get the support they need. 

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