Mariam Nabatanzi, from Uganda, faced extraordinary challenges from an early age. Married at just 12 to a man four times her age, she gave birth to her first set of twins by 13. Due to a rare genetic condition called hyper-ovulation, which causes the release of multiple eggs in one cycle, Mariam continued to conceive twins, triplets, and quadruplets over the years. By the age of 36, she had given birth to an astonishing 44 children—far more than her original wish of having six.
The difficulties of raising such a large family were compounded when her husband abandoned them after the birth of her last set of twins. Mariam became the sole provider for her children, taking on three jobs to make ends meet. She cuts hair, decorates for events, and collects and sells discarded metal. In addition, she makes and sells her own gin and herbal medicine, directing nearly all of her income toward food, clothing, medical care, and education for her children.
Education is one of Mariam’s highest priorities. She strives to give her children opportunities she never had, encouraging them to learn and build better lives. Photographs of her children who have graduated proudly adorn her walls, a symbol of her dedication. Yet the immense responsibilities sometimes force difficult decisions, such as temporarily pulling one of her older children out of school to help support the family.
The family lives in four small cement-brick houses with iron roofs. Space is tight, requiring strict organization and cooperation. The children rotate responsibilities like cooking and washing, while sleeping arrangements vary from metal bunk beds to mattresses on the floor. Despite the challenging conditions, the family functions as a team, inspired by a message displayed on their wall: “On Saturday, we all work together.”
Through decades of hardship, Mariam’s devotion to her children remains unwavering. Her ultimate wish is simple yet poignant: that her children find the happiness and stability she has largely been denied. Her story stands as a powerful testament to a mother’s sacrifice, resilience, and relentless determination to secure a better future for her extraordinarily large family.
