SARAH GRILE

Mary sets up her clothing stand in the market area. 

Mary Howard used to live with her husband and children in Liberia before Ebola. She helped support her family by selling old clothes. In 2014, her husband and two of her children contracted Ebola. She went to visit him once at the Ebola Treatment Unit before coming down with the virus. She survived but her husband and two children did not make it. 

After Mary's husband died, she could not afford to stay at her home with only her income. She moved in with her sister but was later asked to leave.

Unable to afford land, Mary's cousin gave her property in the Snow Hill Community to build on in the swamp area. The location was not ideal due to the risk of flooding but she had to find a home for her family. She says, "Anything I could at the time for me and my children to survive, that's what I was doing." She was able to find support to help fund her scrap metal house. Mary is currently living with her nine children and grandchildren. 

To support herself and her family, Mary sells used clothing near the Gardnersville Market near her home. 

Mary sits with her son, Issac, while selling used clothing at her booth near the Gardnersville Supermarket. 

Mary Howard's granddaughter, Mary, waits as her homework is reviewed by a teacher at a school near her home in the Snow Hill Community. Howard received support from the Ministry of Gender and UNICEF to help with schooling and other financial obligations but it has now stopped. 

Mary's children and grandchildren run towards their home in the Snow Hill Community. 

Mary prepares a meal for her children and grandchildren after returning home from selling at the market. 

Mary consoles her granddaughter, Mary. Two years after moving to the swamp area in the Snow Hill commmunity, she is still living hand to mouth. Having had only a little education, she is not able to find a better job to provide for her family. Still, she says " I am managing." 

The sun sets over Mary's home.