This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating the diversity — and shared humanity — of mothers across the ISSofBC community. 🌍💐
Every year, ISSofBC supports newcomers from more than 150 nationalities, while our staff themselves bring lived experiences from countries and cultures around the world. Different languages, traditions, and journeys may shape our experiences of motherhood — but the love, hope, patience, and resilience behind them are universal.
Here are just a few reflections about motherhood from our ISSofBC family:
💬 “My top tip as a mother is to practice patience and help my child find joy in simple things like nature, sunshine, and the blue sky we often forget to notice as adults.”
Asia Martyenko, Ukraine
💬 “A mother’s patience, presence, and support remind a child every day that they are deeply and unconditionally loved.”
Arina Tanase, Romania
💬 “The light of the home is the mother; the pillar is the father.”
Bless Manalo, Philippines
💬 “In our culture, your mother comes first, second comes your mother, third comes your mother, and then comes your father.”
Ebrahim Al-Yousefi, Yemen
💬 “Let’s embrace happy thoughts with love and strength to light up their world.”
Sanaz Rabieipour, Iran
💬 “Be patient and remember that each child is unique. Adapt your approach to support your children in reaching their full potential and helping them understand that each one has their own way of shining.”
Ewa Karczewska, Poland
💬 “Enjoy every moment, be present. In the blink of eye, your children will have grown and flown the nest. You will never have those moments again.”
Rebecca Irani, Iran/Ireland
💬 My advice to mothers everywhere is to be patient with yourselves, hold on to your sense of self (and sanity!
Hala Helmy, Egypt/Scotland), And remember, motherhood creates the kind of high pressure needed to make diamonds.
Across every culture and community, mothers carry so much — nurturing families, building new lives, preserving traditions, and creating opportunities for the next generation.
On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, and mother figures among our staff, clients, and communities whose strength and compassion help make British Columbia stronger and more connected every day. ❤️
