The Strength of Resilience and Kindness
By Ester Mazreku
When I think about an incredible woman in my life, my mother, Nida, immediately comes to mind.
While many might say the same about their mothers, what inspires me most about mine goes far beyond her strength as a mother. She has shown me that resilience and kindness are among the greatest qualities a woman can embody.
Let me share a glimpse of her story—not just as my mother, but as a woman—and why she is truly inspiring.
One of the most remarkable things Nida did was to pursue her dreams, regardless of age, circumstances, or challenges. She grew up in a communist country, where her path was predetermined and opportunities to step outside that rigid framework were scarce.
She married young, had children early, and studied a subject she didn’t particularly love.
Yet, despite the limitations, she persevered and made the best of what life handed her.
But at around 40 years old, with four children, she made a bold decision – she wanted to change her career completely. So, she went back to school, enrolling in Nutrition and Dietetics at the same time as her eldest daughter. Many thought it was crazy to become a student again at 40. But she pressed on, persevered, and never gave up. It wasn’t easy being a wife, a mother, and an “older lady” in a class full of twenty-year-olds, but she proved that it is never too late to pursue what you love.
Her journey taught me that while life, dreams, and passions can evolve, age and circumstances should never be barriers. Today, she has become an incredible life coach, helping others who feel stuck or who want to transition into new chapters of their lives.
Another of her greatest strengths is kindness. Kindness not only toward those we know and love, but also toward strangers – people we might cross paths with only once. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when the world shut down and most people were isolated at home, there was one group few thought about: the homeless.
At that time, a young student wanted to distribute meals but had no means to prepare them. Nida opened her kitchen and volunteered to help, despite the risks and discomfort of going out during those uncertain days. What began as a small effort has since grown into an ongoing ministry in Brussels, where every Saturday food is prepared and distributed to the homeless.
Nida not only uses her knowledge of nutrition to organize meals safely, but she also goes out into the streets herself. She offers food, yes, but also something just as important: love, attention, and dignity. She knows people by name, listens to their stories, and helps whenever she can.
At Christmas, she helps organize boxes filled with small gifts—scarves, gloves, soap—to make sure people feel remembered and valued. None of this is for recognition. It is simply her kindness in action, which has become her strength.
Have you ever experienced how a stranger’s kindness can brighten your day? A simple smile, a helping hand? That’s the effect my mother has. Her kindness can transform someone’s day, and that has left a lasting mark on me—even in moments when I didn’t feel like being kind or when I felt others didn’t deserve it. Her resilience and radiance inspire me to live the same way.
So today, I want to encourage you: never stop pursuing your aspirations, no matter your age or circumstances. Do everything with love and kindness. Lift your head, look around, and see who might need your help today. Sometimes it’s as small as a smile or holding a door; other times, it’s as big as changing your career or taking the first step toward a long-held dream.
We, as women, carry incredible strength and stories worth sharing. And perhaps one day, your daughter—or son—will tell your story, just as I have told my mother’s.
“Never stop pursuing your aspirations, no matter your age or circumstances.”
This story is reproduced from our book "Voices Without Borders: Women’s Stories of Courage and Resilience", edited and published by the Angolan publishing house É Sobre Nós Editora, and sponsored by the Africa-Europe Foundation.
