FRUITS OF MY LABOR
Recently, I’ve thought a lot about the saying: “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.” In Swahili, the proverb “Asiye funzwa na mamae hufunzwa na ulimwengu” means roughly the same: “Whomsoever is not taught by the mother will be taught with the world.” When I consider the circumstances surrounding my finding out that I was going to have another child and the series of events that played out leading me to go on the path alone again, I was not certain if the village was going to be supportive. Initially, I was happy and then I was put under pressure and decided under duress. A decision that I’m so grateful that I did not carry forth. I had faith that I would and could raise another child as I did with my daughter, AAliyah, who was then 9-years old. (See Part 1, Feb. 2024, page 3)
Months later I told Aaliyah that I was giving her something she had been asking for many years for her “Birthday.” Her response, when I asked her to guess what she thought that would be, she said “A pony?” Turns out it was not a Pony! It was a sibling! That sibling finally arrived five days after her 10th Birthday, and it was a baby boy. We had decided to name him with a male version of my first name, and her last name with a middle name meaning ‘Founded in Peace’: Asheem JahRuleSalem Ali. Having children ten year apart was surreal for me, but I had a few close friends that assured me that Asheem was the “community’s baby”, and it’s been that way ever since. As Aheem’s 12th “BornDay” approached, and I reflected on our lives, I realized that he is not only interested in many things, but he is passionate and good with his many extra-curricular activities!
He’s present in all the Villages he’s been fortunate to be a part of: Hybrid Ninja Academy/716 Ninja, Independent Health Soccer for Success, Police Athletic League, Buffalo Swim Project/Buffalo Tide Competitive Swim Team, Women Against Violence Everywhere, 716 Rollers Skating Mentoring on Wheels Program, The Galactic Tribe/Wakanda Alliance Program, Wealth in Health Family Garden, Boundless Unschooling Academy/Homeschool Library Club, The School of Two Hearts, The Folksy House, The Arts Are For All (Piano), Amor and Heritage Dance Company, Hispanic Heritage Council (Guitar Initiative), Nancy Fernandez’s Royal Taekwon-Do Academy, Ogbe Aiye’s Juche Taekwon-Do, Ten X Shooting Club, and most recently, added Stellar Dreams Program, Junior Astronomers, and the Cheektowaga Soccer Club Open Gym (and possibly travel team if time permits)!
Since my recent car accident where I not only suffered physical injuries, but complete loss of a vehicle that has yet to be replaced, I’ve seen the community village concept shine bright as a diamond. Special Gratitude is extended to the uncrowned Queens and Kings: AAliyah Mya, Jacqueline Bontzolakes, Miracle Reed-McCoy, Kat Makin, Annette Gutierrez, Fragrance Harris Stanfield, Latoya Reid, Trina Hamilton, Dale Lum and David White. Without you all, Asheem would not have made it to many (or any) of these homeschool co-ops, trainings, rehearsals, or competitions.
I’ll close out by saying — as parents, we don’t know everything. What we do KNOW is our children; and what we can find out from them is that they are talented and gifted. Our diligence in finding this out will lead us to find our tribes! Whether that’s one tribe or nineteen tribes, these are people and organizations that LOVE what they do and they Love Children! Once you find them, then they will help in guiding you and your children so that we Don’t Have to Know or Do It ALL!
The bonds that are formed and the lasting friendships developed will help keep your children yearning to be the best they can be, be pleasing and accountable for their actions for years to come. Ultimately, because we can’t be and do all things ALONE – he/she who is not taught by the mother/father is taught by the world! ÀSÉ!
Read More From This Writer
- All Post
- Art
- Books & Poems
- Business
- Column
- Community
- Community News
- Education
- Entertainment
- español
- Food & Culture
- Health
- Interviews
- Media
- Military & Veterans
- Music
- Peace
- People
- Politics
- Sports
- Technology
March was Women’s History Month and who better to shine the spotlight on other than the Founder, Shyana Broughton, the
Recently, I’ve thought a lot about the saying: “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.” In Swahili, the proverb
Peace, EVERYONE! I was unfortunately not able to submit this article last month. But I trust you will enjoy my
Thanks for the various tips contributed on this blog. I have seen that many insurance carriers offer clients generous savings if they opt to insure multiple cars with them. A significant quantity of households possess several cars these days, in particular those with elderly teenage kids still dwelling at home, as well as savings with policies can easily soon begin. So it will pay to look for a good deal.
It’s best to participate in a contest for top-of-the-line blogs on the web. I will advocate this website!
I have observed that of all sorts of insurance, health insurance is the most questionable because of the issue between the insurance company’s duty to remain making money and the buyer’s need to have insurance cover. Insurance companies’ income on health plans are incredibly low, so some organizations struggle to make a profit. Thanks for the suggestions you discuss through this blog.
It’s my belief that mesothelioma will be the most deadly cancer. It contains unusual characteristics. The more I really look at it a lot more I am confident it does not behave like a true solid tissue cancer. In the event mesothelioma is a rogue virus-like infection, therefore there is the potential for developing a vaccine in addition to offering vaccination to asbestos exposed people who are vulnerable to high risk involving developing long term asbestos related malignancies. Thanks for expressing your ideas for this important ailment.
Yet another issue is that video gaming has become one of the all-time main forms of recreation for people of any age. Kids participate in video games, and also adults do, too. The XBox 360 is among the favorite video games systems for individuals that love to have hundreds of activities available to them, and who like to experiment with live with other folks all over the world. Thanks for sharing your thinking.