Growing up in another country as refugees, it was hard for our parents to take care of all 15 children. It was only by God’s grace that they managed. Papa was a medical doctor and Mama was a stay at home mom. However, Mama would not just sit at home all day. She found creative ways of contributing to the household income, and one of those ways was using her hands. She was a creative person, so she would spend days weaving and knitting socks, sweaters, hats, or jewelry. Then she would get up and go to the market and sell her creations for profit. This profit usually went to the home upkeep, as well as our personal upkeep. Mama taught all of us how to knit, and we would sit by her side all day during holidays knitting, and singing hymns together. Not many of us were interested in the process, but I picked up a huge interest in crafting, and Mama noticed. She encouraged me to continue, and by the time I was in secondary school, I could knit three sweaters a day.
I wanted to be like her in this way, to create something beautiful with my hands that will benefit other people. This is where my entrepreneurship journey began. I went on to university, and obtained my masters degree, and worked in the finance sector for years. However, when my children were born, i left the workforce to be a stay at home mom who would help sustain her family by using her hands; just like Mama. I started a couple of business ventures, but Slice & Cakes really started to boom as a business. I was so excited, and Mama was interested and heavily invested in the business’ success. In today’s terms, Mama would be called my business advisor. She would often give me advice on how to run a business, who I should hire on my team, and would collaborate with me to create designs for my cakes.
One particular design we worked on together was a wedding cake. The customers requested to have beads on their cake. I immediately called Mama and asked for her help in making these beads. The wedding cake turned out to be a huge success and Mama was so excited to have been part of the progress (see picture below)
Mama was a social entrepreneur. It wasn’t just enough for her to create beautiful forms of art; she made sure that her profits were always invested back into her community. She trained young people to use their hands, gifts and talents to be able to sustain themselves. She started multiple initiatives to help widows learn how to knit and weave, and paid for multiple orphans’ tuition fees. She would get up early and cook breakfast for the less fortunate people in her community, and they would all gather at her house to share a meal.
I was privileged to live with Mama the last two years of her life. Although it was painful to see her health deteriorate, it was also a blessing to have her in my house. My last born would often go to wake her up by laying on her chest. One of the things I observed was that her passion to help people never subsided. She would often get calls and visits from people in her community, and would immediately reach out to one of us so we could help.
I plan to continue this legacy of social entrepreneurship with the same passion, spirit, and fervor that Mama had. I hope to make her proud.
There are multiple Bible stories that teach us how to use our hands to not only sustain ourselves, but also for God’s Glory. When God sent Moses to rescue the Israelite, he asked Moses “What’s in your hands?” Moses’ staff performed miracles and wonders. I ask you, the reader what is in your hands? What are the gifts and talents that God blessed you with that you can use to bless yourself and the people around you?
For more information about Slice & Cakes, please visit www.sliceandcakes.com or visit us on our Instagram sliceandcakes
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