The Swahili proverb “Asiyefunzwa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu.” MeaningThe literal meaning is:“One who is not taught by their mother will be taught by the world.” The proverb teaches that a child who does not receive proper guidance, discipline, and good values from parents or guardians will eventually learn life’s lessons through difficult experiences, mistakes, or suffering. In Swahili society, the mother symbolizes the family and the first teacher of a child. If these lessons were not taught at home, society and life’s hardships (“ulimwengu”) would become the teacher.