In Zunheboto, a mother’s strength shines through years of hardship

Since 2016, Juli Matthew—a mother of three—has been distributing newspapers in Zunheboto town and supporting her family. (Morung Photo)

Tokavi K Zhimo
Zunheboto | May 11

The life of Juli Matthew, a 55-year-old resident of Zunheboto, exemplifies the strength and selflessness of motherhood, representing the quiet sacrifices made by countless mothers whose stories often go untold.

Orphaned at an early age and raised without siblings in the Western Sumi region, she shared, “I had no mother, no father, no brother or sister. I lived and sustained myself without anyone’s help.”

In 1995, Juli relocated to Zunheboto and married Matthew, an English teacher at Saint Paul School. Over the years, Matthew taught at several schools, including Mon Field School and Merry Hill School, and the couple had three daughters.

Life, however, brought immense challenges. One of their daughters was born with a cognitive condition and requires continuous care, while her husband was blinded in an accident in 2009.

“I have sacrificed my life for my blind husband and my three daughters,” she said. “It was very hard for me, especially as a woman.”
To support the family, Juli worked various jobs. She started as a cook at Seven Home School, became a child helper at Merry Hill School in 2010, and later joined Love Dale School as a sweeper in 2011. In 2016, she began distributing newspapers in Zunheboto town.

“I started with just four copies of Nagaland Post. Slowly, the number grew, and with that income, I managed to take care of my daughter and run the household,” she shared.

Following the 2009 accident, she cared for her husband for 14 years while juggling work and raising their children. He passed away in 2024, leaving Juli as the sole caregiver and provider.

“I cannot state my exact income, as it keeps increasing and decreasing,” she said. “But I have managed so far—by God's grace and the support of kind people. I’ve educated my daughters, and for that, I give thanks.”

Today, two of her daughters are employed—one teaches at Love Dale School, the very school where Juli once worked as a sweeper, and the other holds a private job in Kerala.

Her third daughter remains her primary concern. “A mother’s sadness cannot be expressed—if I die, who will look after her “I pray that God sustains my life long enough to care for her,” she noted.

Despite the hardships, Juli drew strength from her faith and community. “It’s been thirty years in Zunheboto. People here have been so good to me and my family. The church members have always stood by us. Their kindness gave me strength,” she highlighted.

On Mother’s Day, she planned to spend time in quiet prayer at church and her only wish now is to see her daughters married while she is still alive.

“No work is too small or too big if it helps you sustain your family,” Juli said with conviction, reflecting her humility and perseverance and elucidating the strength of a mother’s love.
 



Support The Morung Express.
Your Contributions Matter
Click Here