Struggling costume jewelry maker Ashmin Mohammed yesterday showered praises on the T&T Guardian for highlighting her plight, which received an overwhelming response from the public.
Mohammed, 43, said she was bombarded with telephone calls from members of the public, including two Americans, who offered to assist her financially.
She also received a call from the Ministry of Planning and Development who promised to help her with a grant to repair her rickety outhouse, which is on the verge of collapse.
In addition, scores of people also asked Mohammed if she would offer classes in jewelry making.
Touched by the outpouring of support, Mohammed, who sells her beaded jewelry in the congested Chaguanas Market, thanked the newspaper for publishing her plight, saying that there were still caring and compassionate people in the country.
“Thank you Guardian. I am truly grateful for all that you have done for me,” Mohammed said, choking with emotion.
Mohammed highlighted her story, where she sold costume jewelry to educate her 20-year-old son, Aaron Mohammed, a second year mechanical engineering student at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, campus.
As a single parent, she works 18 hours a day making anklets, broaches, earrings, necklaces, hand bands and bow clips, as well as cultivating crops in the back of her Longdenville home to ensure that Aaron obtains an education.
In 2014, Aaron captured the principal’s award as the most outstanding student at ASJA Boys’ College, Charlieville.
Having walked away with a trophy in Pure Mathematics, Aaron also obtained Grade 1 in all his science subjects in the Cape examinations.
Providing an education for Aaron has been an uphill battle for Mohammed, who was forced into an arranged marriage which lasted seven years, but she wants her son to get an education, which she was deprived of as a young girl.
“From early as 6 am people started calling me offering to assist. Others offered words of encouragement. I was totally blown away by those who came forward to help.”
Among those who promised to render assistance, Mohammed said, were two Americans who promised to send her money through Western Union and a 78-year-old pensioner.
“I even got a call from a woman at the ministry who stated that they would assist me with a grant in the next two weeks to help me repair my latrine,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed said what shocked her was that many of the callers asked if she offered classes in jewelry making since they wanted to learn.
“A lot of people expressed an interest in jewelry making. I don’t mind sharing my expertise free of charge, but I don’t have a place to conduct classes,” said Mohammed, who learnt to make jewelry four years ago by watching someone skilled in the trade.
The mother of one said she received calls from over a dozen mothers, many of whom were single parents, who encouraged her not to give up.
“They said that my story was positive and inspiring and to keep up the good work that I have been doing to raise my son. Honestly, I felt proud knowing that at least my hard work has not gone in vain,” she said.