And that means it’s time to celebrate the amazing women who raised us. Who provided unconditional love … cared for us day in and day out … sat at our bedside when we were sick or afraid … cheered us on and believed in us – celebrating our successes and lifting us up when we failed.

Those who ‘mothered’ us … even if they weren’t our real mothers.

As Mother’s Day approaches – we ask you to honour not only your own mom – but all women who have helped raise and nurture children in need of love, care and encouragement.

Here at the Johannesburg Children’s Home, we have 23 of these remarkable women – one for each cottage. On Mother’s Day – just like every other day of the year – they will sacrifice their own family time to shower other people’s children with love and care.

They will be here when the children wake up … preparing breakfast, helping with homework, listening to hopes and fears, soothing nightmares and creating routines that bring stability and a sense of belonging.

You can’t buy devotion like this. It comes from the heart. But big as these women’s heart are, they can only do so much. They depend on people like you to do the rest.