Life hasn’t been the same as it used to be for Lily Priscilla Sesario. But despite losing her husband, her children have been her motivation to keep going.

The 34-year-old was brought up in and has been a solo mom to five children for the past three years.

Graduating with a Certificate in Sewing from Solo Mums Project in July was a milestone for her. She believes with it, she has a chance of giving her children a good future.

“I have three young boys and twin girls who are in kindergarten; they all mean so much to me and are the reasons for my smile every day,” she said.

“After my husband passed on three years ago in hospital, I look after my five children by myself.”

Ms Sesario said after losing her husband life had been very challenging.

Her family currently depends on social welfare assistance and she is eagerly waiting to receive her starter kit from Solo Mum’s Project to get started with her own business.

“The assistance provided to my family helps us, yet it’s not enough as there are six of us relying on it,” she said.

“Once I get my start up kits to start my business, I’ll be good to go as I’m determined to work really hard specially to provide the best for my children.

“It’s very challenging as we have to manage everything wisely with the amount provided, but I’m blessed to have children who have patience and believe in their mum.

“I started at solo mums with a major in cooking, but when sewing came in, my heart got attached.

“It just made me want to learn it all so well.

“I never knew anything about sewing and I got to learn it all in solo mums, and I’m glad I love what I learnt which will help me better in my business.”

She admitted that thoughts of suicide had crossed her mind multiple times, but it was her children’s faces that kept her strong.

“After losing my husband I just didn’t know what to do with my life, sometimes when there’s nothing at home, life always brings me down to that selfish mind that I just feel like committing suicide and give up in life,” she said.

“But then what comes into my mind is my kids, it’s their faces that I keep picturing, it makes me fear for their wellbeing, they need me in their lives as there is no one else for them.

My children make me stronger; they are my motivation that keeps me going every day in life, they are my happiness and I’d do everything it takes to give them the best of life.”

Her message to single mothers is to keep dreaming and working towards it.

“When my husband passed on, I didn’t know where to turn. Life had become so difficult, but when I turned to God, I got to know about the Solo Mums Project and now I know that I will be progressing in life and be there for my children.

“We as single mums shouldn’t look down on ourselves, God has plans for you just like for me. There is a bright future ahead of us and our children live for it and keep going,” she said.

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