A Tribute to Nazma

The tragic end to a well-lived life is always a time of sadness mixed with admiration for all the good that was achieved. This is especially so when self-sacrifice is the hall-mark of the person we are mourning.

We only knew Nazma, a 35-year-old Muslim asylum-seeker, for a short time, but it was obvious to us that hers was a life of loving self-sacrifice, so we take this opportunity to pay tribute to her and to ask you to pray for her three children following their mother's brutal murder.

Families who leave their own land inevitably struggle when they have limited basic resources and find themselves in a new and often hostile culture. The husband, who may have lost status, pride, and even hope, can no longer support his family because Hong Kong law prevents refugees and asylum seekers from working. Fear of an unknown future, far from traditional cultures, fuels family pressures.

 In these situations we very often see that the mother suppresses her own needs in order to reassure her children that all is well, they are cared for, receive education, and above all, loving stability in what is otherwise a precarious environment.

The amazing job these mothers do is reflected in the happiness of so many children we meet at our centre, where we offer a homework club, days out, sporting activities, and other psycho-social support programmes, in addition to assisting them with basic necessities.  We saw this happiness in Nazma’s three charming sons (aged 10, 11 and 12) at our recent Easter party at St Andrew’s Church, and our summer programmes when all three boys happily joined in the fun and games. Nazma herself embraced the services we offered and regularly attended our English classes.

Their youngest son was particularly bright and desperate to learn despite being confined to a wheelchair.  We were all overjoyed when Nazma held up the paper with a school acceptance place for him. She hugged us with tears of joy and relief after many months of waiting.  During that time her son’s wheelchair had been stolen from their run-down apartment block.  We were pleased to support the family with the gift of a new wheel-chair – which she then carried up many flights of stairs in addition to carrying her disabled son upstairs.  

Nazma was like so many determined mothers, who, with dignified respect for their religious and cultural beliefs, stoically and sensitively rise above their personal struggles and focus their energies on what is best for their children. Nazma’s life is a reflection of many such mothers who have come through our doors.  

Please pray that Nazma’s grieving boys will always carry in their hearts the selfless love, grace and hope shown by their mother.  Pray they will grow into the confident, caring adults she would have wanted them to become.