Stella Jonga is a mother who finds the time to care for other children.
32-year-old Stella is a mother of one and says she has so much life ahead of her and enough to give.
She is epileptic but does not allow that challenge to decide what she does.
“When I was young I was not allowed to cook because of my condition. My parents were always scared I would have my episodes while cooking,” said Stella.
Stella volunteers at the Cotlands Early Childhood Development Centre where she cooks for the children.
“I’m currently not working and my daughter attends day care at Cotlands. She is two years old. Parents were requested to come and assist with the cooking but no one came forward from the parents because they were told they are not going to receive any payment.
“At the time, I was visiting my sister at Jumpers and I heard about the day care’s request and decided to help. That is also when my daughter started attending the day care,” said Stella.
Stella says her passion for cooking started when her was daughter was born. She had always been the one to clean and do the dishes at her home because of her condition.
“When my daughter was born, I told myself I’m going to cook because I had a child and my child will need me to cook for her. She inspired me to push myself to be able to do things myself. I found out that I actually love cooking,” said Stella.
She says it is not easy for her because she cooks alone.
“If I feel like I’m about to have a seizure I call one of the neighbours to help me.”
“I have found ways to calm myself down and that has helped reduce my seizures. If I experience them continuously, I go to the clinic but the doctor has also told not to stress myself,” said Stella.
Stella says cooking for the children has been a wonderfull experience for her.
“I enjoy cooking for the children because I know they receive a nutritional meal and I cook it with love. The faces I receive from them when they receive their meal is of appreciation and that is more than enough for me,” said Stella.
