I partnered with a friend at Break the Cycle Global to interview a Kenyan mother of five about motherhood. They are a mission organization that aids in advancing the kingdom of God by creating Christ-centered communities.
With her sister serving as our translator, I spoke with Lucy, who is nicknamed Mama Kasidre (pronounced Cassidy). Both Lucy and her sister are from the Samburu tribe in Kenya, tucked alongside the East African coast.
Watch: My Live Interview With a Kenyan Mother
Lucy and I spoke for about 40 minutes one Sunday morning, 7 am my time and 3 pm her time. With our 8-hour difference, she and her sister appeared in gorgeous colorful dresses—ready for our time together.
This conversation gave me incredible knowledge and perspective on motherhood and work as I listened to Lucy’s day-to-day as a mother in a third-world country. Truthfully, the Samburu women make the work of American moms look like a breeze, and it is all happening right now in present-day.
Meet Fierce, but Humble Lucy
Lucy is called “Mama Kasidre,” a title of respect that mothers in the Samburu tribe wear with honor. (Mothers are often called “mama” and then the name of their first born child). She’s a 27 year old mother of five children ranging from ages one to eleven, and lives among her warrior people in Kenya.
The Samburu Tribe is traditionally known for their striking dress, hairstyles, and strong warriorhood. They are also a herding people and will follow the rain to keep their animals fed, and ward off fierce East African predators like cheetahs, lions, and other aggressive tribes to keep their community safe.
They build and live in Bomas which are mud and dung huts with fire burning inside. In families, husband and wife do not sleep together in the same Boma. Instead, the wife shares a Boma with her children and her husband has his own.
Lucy’s Life as a Samburu Mom
I interviewed Lucy about her personal life, her children, and daily routines from start to finish. Her work to take care of her family is very intense.
A typical day goes like this: She comes out of her Boma around 7 am when day breaks. For safety, she waits for light outside for fear of an attack by an animal or another aggressive tribe while it is still dark out.
Her first task is to milk their animals. After milking is complete, she makes a breakfast Chai tea of animal milk and herbs for her husband and serves it to him in his Boma.
Lucy then sets out on tiresome journey to retrieve the day’s water for her family of seven. She walks two kilometers (about 1.2 miles) to get the water and then carries it on her head in a 20 liter basin (about 45 lbs).
Holding it with her hand or a woven net that hangs behind her, supported by a strap around her forehead, she carries the water like this the same two kilometers back home. To get enough water for the day, she makes the trip twice a day. Her children accompany her on the water trip, and the older ones who are strong enough carry some water back in smaller items.
She ventures out again to get firewood located as far as where the water is found. The firewood is bundled and carried 50 pounds at a time as she walks two kilometers back to her family’s boma. Like the water, she makes this journey twice to get enough. And in like manner, her older children carry some firewood back by hand.
By this point, Lucy and her children have walked roughly ten miles and it is now about 1 or 2 pm in the afternoon–just in time for lunch.
Lucy prepares a soup with potatoes and animal milk for her family, before washing her family’s clothes by hand with some of the water she fetched. Meanwhile, her husband is collecting livestock. She pauses washing to prepare him a late afternoon Chai tea for when he returns.
At around 6 or 7 pm in the evening, it’s time to prepare dinner. She serves a meal to herself and the children, and gets them tucked snuggly in for the evening. Later around 9 pm, Lucy serves her husband his dinner in his Boma and joins him for awhile before returning back to her own Boma to finally get some sleep herself.
What I Learned About Motherhood and Work
During Lucy’s interview, I couldn’t help but interject with “wow!” and “oh my gosh!” I was shocked by how much she had to do in one day. She and her sister just laughed because it was routine for them. It wasn’t that she agreed or disagreed that her day was tougher than others. This was simply their way of life. It was all she knew. It was normal.
Lucy taught me that perspective is everything.
Related: Motherhood is not a Burden
Yes, I consider her tasks to be grueling, only to wake up and do it all over again the next day. But, those tasks did not shape her perspective on motherhood.
She wasn’t wallowing in pity or sentiments that “this is so hard.” In fact, I asked her about depression and anxiety during the postpartum stages within her country and tribe. Lucy and her sister laughed saying, “sure, maybe a feeling when the new baby is first born of a little sadness, but we have no time to be sad for long, it goes away quickly.”
Astonishing. It made me wonder if Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a non-factor for these Samburu moms, because they know what needs to be done for survival and can find the grit to get them done. It’s as if they have such security in their roles, their identities, and who they are.
I’m also curious as to whether PPD is mitigated due to the amount time they spend outside. Sources say that there is growing evidence to suggest that exposure to natural environments can be associated with mental health benefits.
An Eye-Opening Experience
The following day after I spoke with Lucy, I found myself looking around my own home and pondering the modern conveniences I have here in the United States. I have running water, a washing machine and dryer, a dishwashing machine, a stove and oven, and a car. I can even purchase whatever I may need with money instead of building it myself.
Not to mention, I have the ability to be home with my son while working a full-time job, and the luxury to outsource pretty much anything I want to make my load lighter.
The Gift and Blessing of Ease
I will say it! Compared to Lucy’s experience in motherhood, I am blessed with ease. How could I ever complain or say motherhood is a burden after seeing her example? It’s about perspective and I’m grateful.
Lucy’s attitude reminded me of Philippians 2:14-16 that says:
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain?”
Moms, we can humbly create an outlook that is without grumbling and complaining as we care for our husband, children, and homes—God’s gifts to us. Are things difficult at times? Yes! But I encourage you with that scripture and this beautiful interview with a Kenyan mother.
Choose today and everyday to press forward in Christ and to not labor in vain.
