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Everyone knows Lian Fanjul de Azqueta as the founder and president of the Fundación MIR, a woman who works hard to provide an education for thousands of children in the La Romana area. Yet first and foremost, Lian is a mother, a gentle, compassionate and generous human being.
Today, to celebrate Mother’s Day, we bring you an interview with Lyanne Azqueta, Lian’s daughter, a unique and heartwarming tribute to a woman who has dedicated her life to helping others.
@cdcliving: Why are you proud of your mother?
I am extremely proud of my mother for her many professional and philanthropic achievements. Founding and managing two non-profit organizations in the United States and the Dominican Republic is in itself huge and important but keeping in mind of the thousands of children and families who have been helped through her charitable efforts is truly humbling.
Married at 15 and never able to finish her formal education, my mother’s commitment to providing quality education to others has been of singular importance throughout her life. In her own quiet way, my mother has touched thousands of lives, never expecting special recognition or rewards. Above all else, my mother has lovingly raised my brothers and myself and remains actively involved with our children on a daily basis. She would say that our family is her greatest achievement.
@cdcliving: What makes your mother special?
My mother has unending energy to devote to her charity work and possesses a wealth of ideas and knowledge about how to navigate complex issues and personalities of the people involved with MIR and New Hope Charities. She is the first person I go to with questions knowing she will have a balanced, experienced point of view of the situation. Her insight into people’s hearts and minds is remarkable, mostly due to the time she spends in meditation and prayer.
@cdcliving: What is the thing that your mother does best?
Mother makes herself available to not only to family and friends but to all who need her-she goes beyond that call of duty with her generosity. She is the most generous human being I have ever met. Humility and generosity are part of who she is and how she chooses to live her life.
@cdcliving: How are you similar to your mother?
My mother and I are similar and yet totally different women. By that I mean that we have similar goals and aspirations for our charities while sometimes taking differing paths towards the same goals. The important thing is that we share mutual respect for each other and allow ourselves and each other the space to use different approaches. We care about others and their welfare and are compelled to help make improvements in the lives of others whenever possible.
@cdcliving: What do you and your mother enjoy doing together?
Besides the work we do together on MIR and NHC, my mother and I travel extensively something that we both enjoy together enormously. Along with all family festivities, holidays and celebrations, we especially enjoy any activity with my daughter. Every moment we spend together is special.
@cdcliving: Now that you are a mother yourself how has your relationship with your mom grown and changed?
As all mothers, becoming a mother has added so much to my life including a profound admiration for my mother and all she has accomplished so far. Our relationship, although always loving, now has the element of knowledge and common experience to guide us. As time goes on my respect for her grows as I understand more the effort and sacrifices that were necessary to build what she has built. It is hard to believe how much she has sacrificed for her family and for her larger family of MIR and NHC.
@cdcliving: You must be very proud of your mother for founding the Fundación MIR. How has her hard work and passion for the project inspired you?
It has inspired me so much that I have taken up the torch to continue the work she started. As executive director of both organizations I have the privilege of continuing to maintain and expand her work.