Family Matters
Family Matters is an exploration of my family’s bond through our Whatsapp group. Spanning three continents, my close-knit family of three find ways to keep in touch, share jokes, memes, updates, and prayers through our Whatsapp group. When my dad passed in 2016, I decided to create a Whatsapp group group with my mum and sister. I had just moved back home from Ghana and my sister had just moved to the UK when my father passed. He had picked me up from the airport and three days later, he suffered a fatal heart attack. In the following days, we shared funeral arrangements and updates in the group, but this group has evolved to a way of connecting us wherever we are. A running theme in the group is food. Moving to the US last year and realizing I would have to make my own meals has been a source of freedom and exploration with food for me. My sister serves as both cheerleader and menu critic. for new recipes. My mum tells me that no matter what I cook, the priority is a full belly. This photo essay highlights our relationship on our six year Whatsapp group “Anna Maria and Daughters”.
Mummy, Christine and me.
My sister is seven years older than me, and has always joked that she is my second mum. During the civil war in Sierra Leone, the three of us fled to The Gambia, where my mum had to work two jobs as a teacher. She always made sure I knew the value of education. She would always assure me that education could break down barriers and take me places. Mum and Christine were always involved in my school work, making sure to attend PTA meetings, school thanksgiving and prize giving ceremonies .
Profile Picture
It was up to me to set up the group and also find a profile picture. This was at yearly sport’s day at the school my mum used to teach at before the civil war. Of course I was distracted and not looking at the camera.
“Keep safe then”
I shared some pictures of the snow recently. It’s been seven years since last saw the snow and I was so excited!
My first cake
I baked my very first cake over the Christmas holidays and shared in the group.
Pig’s feet
I found a delicacy that we eat back home at my neighborhood grocery store, and I was so excited to share it in the group. Even though my mum encouraged me to buy the pigs feet, I knew I wouldn’t.
Plantain Disaster
My sister responded to my plantain frying disaster in three different emojis! It was quite a nice response considering I burnt the plantains.