Interview 3: A Mother’s Dream with Africa, also known as The Vitamin D Project

Yossy: After following you for years and finally getting to spend a day with you, I can say I’ve come to know you as Africa, an amazing content creator, and mother, specialising in consulting, interiors and conscious living.

But how would you describe or introduce yourself to someone meeting you for the first time?

Africa: I’d describe myself as a creative storyteller with a passion for mindful living and intentional design. I specialise in creating calm, grounded spaces, blending sustainability with cultural sensitivity -often through reclaimed and second-hand materials.

Beyond my digital presence, I balance a full-time creative career, consultancy, and motherhood, all while sharing life with my husband. My work prioritises advocacy and meaningful connections, which guide everything I do.

Yossy: How has motherhood been treating you so far? Especially with four little ones filled with so much wonderful energy?

Africa: Motherhood has been a beautiful, humbling journey. With four little ones, it’s a mix of chaos and joy -a constant balancing act. Their energy keeps me grounded and gives me immense purpose. Two years ago, I navigated a difficult illness and bereavement, and I dread to think what that period would’ve looked like without the grounding presence of four little ones, including a newborn, depending on me. They’ve been my greatest motivation.

Yossy: Did you always know you wanted to be a mother growing up?

Africa: Yes, but I naively hadn’t realised how much conscious thought and effort it would require. Becoming a mother has been transformative, challenging yet incredibly fulfilling in ways I couldn’t have imagined. While my husband and I share the load, I’ve learned that motherhood is something I need to constantly work at -it’s about intentional choices, growth, and adapting as a family.

Yossy: Looking back, do you feel that leaving home at a young age and the experiences around that shaped you in ways that play a part in who you are today, particularly in your role as a mother?

Africa: It certainly shaped who I am today. Leaving home at a young age taught me resilience, self-reliance, and how to carve my own path. It also prepared me for the reality that not everyone will like you, which is probably the most grounding skill I’ve cultivated over the years. My husband and I actively prepare our children for this reality as well.

In terms of my motherhood, though, my relationship with my husband has brought a beautiful balance to my life. While my past taught me independence, my husband provided the antithesis -a sense of love, support, and being held in ways that have grounded me. That equilibrium allows me to model both strength and vulnerability to my children, showing them it’s possible to be independent and deeply loved at the same time.

Yossy: Are there any lessons or values you took from your parents or childhood that you carry into your own motherhood?

Africa: My upbringing taught me the importance of resilience, but it also highlighted the value of consistency -something my husband and I both feel is key in raising our children. In my own childhood, there were moments of uncertainty, and while they shaped me, I’m mindful of how important it is for my kids to have a steady foundation.

Both my husband and I agree that consistency is one of the cornerstones of our children’s upbringing, in every aspect of their lives. It’s not just about providing stability, but about ensuring they feel secure in our actions, routines, and love. We want them to grow up with a sense of reliability, knowing they can trust the rhythms we’ve built for them, and have that as a foundation for navigating the world confidently.

Yossy: Is there any specific or key memory you hold dearly so far from your eight years of motherhood?

Africa: One of my most cherished memories is bringing our youngest home from the hospital, knowing they would be our last baby. It was an incredibly emotional moment after a precarious pregnancy and a long time away from our children, which is something we rarely do. My mum, grandma, and sisters had lovingly cared for them while my husband and I were in London, and crossing the threshold back home to see them all together on the sofa was unforgettable. Watching them croon over this tiny bundle that completed our family was pure magic -a moment of love, unity, and gratitude I’ll always treasure.

Yossy: You recently relocated to the Kent coast with your husband and children, how has that experience been for you all?

Africa: Moving to the Kent coast has been incredible -it’s opened us up to an entirely new, slower, and more fulfilling way of living. Embracing life with less has brought so much contentment, and we’ve truly fallen in love with this place. While our town now feels like home, we’re also at an exciting juncture where the future feels wide open, and anything is possible.

Yossy: You've been incredibly inspiring in how you use your platform to speak out on social injustices -I've learned so much from your perspective. When it comes to raising children with awareness of these issues, do you have any advice or tips for fostering that understanding? Or do you feel these conversations are best introduced at a later stage?

Africa: Thank you -that means a lot. I believe these conversations should start early, in age-appropriate ways. Children are naturally curious and empathetic, so fostering understanding begins with modelling kindness, fairness, and critical thinking in everyday life. We focus on honest but gentle discussions about justice and equality, encouraging our children to ask questions and think deeply about the world around them. It’s not about overwhelming them, but planting seeds of awareness that grow as they do.

Yossy: The title I have for this personal project is A Mother’s Dream. What would you say your dream is for your children?

Africa: My dream for my children is that they grow into grounded, joyful individuals who embrace life with curiosity and courage. I want them to know they are deeply loved by those who matter, to trust in their own limitless potential, and to carry a deep sense of fairness and compassion -always remaining conscious of those in greater need than themselves.

Yossy: One of the aims I have with this is to hopefully, have mothers-to-be, young mums, have this as a thing they can maybe take from. So my last question is: what would your advice be to younger mums or mums-to-be? What would you say?

Africa: My advice to younger mums or mums-to-be would be to trust your instincts and give yourself grace. Motherhood is a journey of learning and growth -you won’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. Create a foundation of love and consistency, but don’t forget to care for yourself, too. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and your well-being is just as important as your child’s.