Our maid, Asnagu, is in her middle 20s, she has been working for us for almost 5 years, an ordinary looking lady but with African big eyes, of medium height and talks very little. She is so slim that I did not even know until my auntie told me so that her two daughters had been born over last 5 years, during which I have had almost daily contact with her. I had never seen her husband, then I was told that her husband left her and two babies with no financial means. She, alone, is the provider of the whole family.

A tragical incident, I believe, capable of pulling her family into ruins, happened yesterday. The elder daughter, aged 4, was scalded by boiling water accidentally. Poor Asnagu, rushed home and sent her injured daughter to the hospital. She backed to work in the morning today and started the usual routine as diligent as ever, but the deep sadness could not be concealed when she was asked about the status of her loved daughter. I was touched beyond measure, the least I could do is to give her some financial help. I gave my auntie quite big a sum of money, and told her to give Asnagu without giving out the source. 

Our company has been engaging mostly in luxury projects, such as hotels, luxury houses, etc, people I have been dealing with are mostly rich, civil and gentle. I tried to behave accordingly by ignoring the big elephant in the room, the ghastly poor in the majority. These poor families are so vulnerable, that a small incident could mean ruin or death. Their deplorable state of life just could not take any additional burdens, such as disease or unforeseeable accident. The economy of this country is developing fast, the standard of living for the poor, however, has been almost standstill with any changes. The brutal fact is my profound sympathy and little efforts would change nothing, I could only wish people like Asnagu all the better with each passing day.