Nobody’s Daughter

Seams worn and colors faded, just like the memories of her mother…

Naw Mimi arrived on my doorstep with a few threadbare articles of clothing and wide fearful eyes. Slowly, piece by painful piece, the story of her history unfolded. Her mother passed away while she was young, and her father succumbed to mental illness. A harried aunt took Mimi in and scolded her when she did poorly in school. At twelve years old, when a skin lesion appeared, Naw Mimi didn’t dare to bother her aunt. As it grew and chaffed she finally spoke up. Her aunt took her to the clinic and walked away. At sixteen, she was on her own.

Naw Mimi stayed at the clinic for about a year trying her best to be helpful. When the treatment trials the medics tried failed, they referred her to Partners Relief & Development.

“What are your interests, Naw Mimi?” I meant to find out what she might like to do as a hobby while waiting for doctor’s appointments.

“I’ll be no bother,” she worriedly pledged. “I can eat rice and boiled vegetables. I can do housework for you.”

It took some time to convince her that she was a kid, a patient, and our guest. Her job was to relax. We started off by having her vision checked, as it was apparent she couldn’t see well. Turns out her severe astigmatism is likely the reason she did poorly in school.

I held her hand as the doctor examined her body, tears streaming down her face at embarrassment of having to expose her skin. What’s worse, the condition was going to need referral to a specialist, meaning another exam in store. She was nobody’s daughter, but oh, how she needed a mom. As we left the hospital that day we passed a street side clothing vendor. Her eyes strayed to the skinny jeans.

“Want to check it out?”

A sweet smile grew and her eyes shined. That afternoon, we bonded over fashion and l learned that she aspired to learn sewing and design. With excitement, I asked my co-worker Pranee to make space for Naw Mimi in her migrant sewing class.