Martha, a 39-year-old woman from Medellin, Colombia, is about to welcome her twentieth child into the world. She has already given birth to 19 children and has no plans to stop expanding her family. Surprisingly, Martha sees motherhood as a profitable venture, comparing it to a business.
Martha’s approach to parenting is unconventional. She has conceived all her children with different men and considers her growing family to be a source of income. With seventeen of her children under the age of 18, Martha relies on government support to sustain her large brood.
“The truth is, as the government helps me for each child, I receive a little money for each one,” Martha explains. She receives approximately $76 for her eldest children and around $30.50 for the youngest ones, totaling about $510 each month from the Colombian state to care for her children. Even with this assistance, Martha finds it challenging to cover the expenses associated with raising and providing for her numerous offspring.
Living in a modest three-bedroom house in Colombia, Martha’s family faces daily hardships. The lack of space means that the eldest child often has to sleep on the sofa. Martha acknowledges the difficulties of providing adequate meals for everyone on a limited budget.
Despite these challenges, Martha remains determined to keep expanding her family. She plans to have children until her body can no longer conceive, envisioning a future where her current brood will eventually grow up and leave home.
Martha’s situation sheds light on the complexities of single motherhood and the struggles faced by families in less fortunate circumstances. While she receives some support from the government and local community, the responsibility of caring for her extensive family ultimately falls on her shoulders.
Martha’s story reflects the experiences of other single mothers who grapple with the daunting task of providing for their children. Last year, Veronica Merritt, a single mother of 13, gained widespread attention when she expressed her desperate need for a larger home for her family. Unable to afford it herself, Veronica received help from her 23-year-old daughter, who contributed $10,000 towards purchasing a new house.
Despite facing criticism and judgment, Veronica’s story highlights the lengths to which single mothers are willing to go to improve their children’s lives. While Martha’s approach to motherhood may raise eyebrows, her unwavering dedication to her family’s well-being is unquestionable.
In a society where the definition of family is evolving, Martha’s unconventional approach challenges conventional norms and encourages contemplation about the various paths to parenthood. As she prepares to welcome her twentieth child, Martha remains committed to her belief that motherhood, despite its challenges, is her chosen path—one that she intends to pursue as long as she can.
