MOTHERS CLUB INTERNATIONAL
The vision for Mothers Club International was birthed in a criminal court room. Unusual place to birth a vision like this right? Not quite. Courtroom is like a stage where anyone plays their part in a drama except that this drama is real. A criminal court room gives you a snapshot of what is going on in our society, in homes and in particular, lives of individuals charged with offences.
You wonder what was I doing in a criminal court room? I am a Criminal Law Advocate. I prosecute as well as defend.
The offenders that particularly gripped my heart and led to the birth of Mothers Club International were the youths. Each time I see them in court my heart bleeds. Before sentencing them, enquiries are made into their backgrounds. What sort of homes do they come from? Who are their parents? Are they still in their lives? With such enquiries, it often comes to light that their parents are no longer together, the youth is in a foster home because parents have given up on them as they can no longer cope with their delinquencies. There are instances where the youth would have supportive parents and that usually makes a massive difference.
Oh, I see the impact of supportive parenting when parents drop off their children in school, attend their school assemblies, parent evenings and events especially sports. The impact of these cannot be overemphasised especially when a child’s interpretation of love is TIME. In as much as we want to be there for our children, many mothers are working mums. How do we jungle mothering with careers? How do you cope with the challenges of both worlds?
Then the thought started to brew in my heart that what if there is a forum where mothers are appreciated and reminded of the enormous contributions and impact, they are having in the lives of their children. How about having a party for them? How about having various categories of awards just to acknowledge their sacrifices and selflessness? How about seminars to educate them on how to bring the best out of their children? How to build better relationships with them? How to jungle careers and motherhood? How about gathering mums to pray for their children?
As with every vision, you cannot do it alone. I shared the dream with a friend and then we went to work and pulled a team together. And as they say, the rest is history. The Team has been growing stronger ever since.
Mothers Club International kicked off with Party for Mums on Saturday 09 May 2009 and we have been holding this, every year a week after Mothering Sunday. It has grown in audience, acceptance and quality.
VARIOUS SECTIONS OF MOTHERS CLUB INTERNATIONAL
PARTY FOR MUMS
The job of a mother in this generation is really challenging. There is so much to contend with and many balls to juggle together. Encouragement is a lifter and a good boost to keep all the balls going without any of them falling. So, Party for Mums started to do that.
This occurs every year and precisely the Saturday after Mothering Sunday. It is a night of celebration and appreciation of Mothers. A night simply to say thank you to Mothers for all their selflessness, love and dedication to their children and family. We usually have a custom of parting each other on the back as a gesture of “well done”. I believe mothers make so much sacrifice that we take for granted. The aim of Party for Mums is to correct that. Our aim for the night is to make sure every mother that attend leaves feeling inspired, encouraged and appreciated.
We take extra care in preparing the venue to ensure the ambience of the place convey the message we are trying to say, “You are valued and appreciated”. The food is sumptuous, and the tables are laden with good things.
The evening is usually as relaxing as possible, so they can let their hair down and truly enjoy themselves for a change. We have many activities to engage them and truly amazing Comperes who coordinate the night to make it truly memorable for them.
Then we have the awards. This is our Big Brother moment where mothers who have been nominated for the awards are caught unaware. We usually ask the person who nominated them to write out what these mothers have done and read it out to inspire other mothers and present them with their plaques. Many are brought to tears as they receive their awards.
We have four categories of awards, and these are:
1. Extraordinary Mum – This award is for single mums who singlehandedly raised or are raising their children and had or are having extraordinary results despite every challenge.
2. Super Mum – This award is for married mums who have done or are doing an extraordinary job of raising their children and the results were/are outstanding
3. Heart of Gold – This award is for mothers or mothers’ to be that have done or are doing extraordinary job of raising other people’s children
4. Golden Granny – This award is for grandmothers who have done an extraordinary job of raising their children and are now raising their grandchildren and other people’s children.
We also like to encourage mothers in what they do with our Business Showcase. This starts off the night where mothers showcase their businesses. This usually create leads to many more businesses.
Overall, there is no dull moment. It is usually a night to remember.
MOTHERS ON THEIR KNEES
This is the annual prayer time when mothers come together to pray for their children, home and family. It is usually on the second Saturday of June.
Charles Stanley said prayer is the greatest investment you can ever make. Charles Spurgeon also said prayer is a slender nerve that moves the muscle of the Omnipotence. Wow! great words indeed. These words are the great foundation for mothers on their knees. Mothers come together and seek God’s face for the destinies of their children and overturn the plan and agenda of the enemy over them.
Testimonies abound. Many mothers have testified that Mothers on their Knees have helped them to develop a continuous and consistent lifestyle of prayer not just for their children but also for their own lives.
Only eternity can tell what impact and difference our prayers can make in the lives of our children. The prayers chart the course of their lives and goes ahead of them into their future. Oh! what a great investment indeed.
UNLOCKING YOUR TREASURE
A child is a mother’s greatest treasure. Children are a bundle of gifts, abilities and talents that are waiting to be unlocked. Many stars that we celebrate today were first discovered by their parents. Examples like Serena Williams, Tiger Woods, Ben Carson and the list goes on. Their parents have helped to stir them into their destiny, and they would not have been where they are today without their parents.
Unlocking Your Treasure is an annual seminar in September where we create awareness about the importance of our contribution to the fulfilment of the dreams and aspirations of our children.
It is always informative and empowering.
Writer: Pastor Tutu Sofowora
Pastor Tutu