Meet Anna Kiawoli from East Sepik. She is one of the many mothers in PNG who spend every day at the market to make ends meet for their family.
She moved to Kimbe 15 years ago when her husband, a local pastor with the AOG church, moved to the West New Britain capital.
They have 9 children, of which 4 are females and 5 males. Out of the 9 children 4 have married and are living with their families.
Life looking after their children and taking care of them is a challenge.
To make ends meet, she has to toil daily at the market in the hot sun or sometimes rainy weather.
Her daily takings range from 20 kina to 50 kina or sometimes 70 and she says that is convenient for her to meet the family’s daily needs.
She sells soft drinks, buns and boiled eggs.
Of her 9 children one is employed with Papindo and one of her sons is doing his 3rd year at UPNG while 2 are enrolled in Primary School. Paying for her children’s school fees is the biggest hurdle for her, apart from meeting basic necessities.
Anna says living in town is challenging and she's thinking to go back home but at this stage it’s hard.
She wishes all other mothers around the country who face the same challenges a blessed festive season and urges them to be strong.