The World's Largest Family
Mr and Mrs Albina don't know where all their grown children are living now.some of them,they know,are in Argentina,but they aren't sure where in Argentina.They aren't sure how old all their children are,either. Ask them,for example"How old is your daughter Susanna?" and they say "We're not sur" They might even say""Which Susanna"But it is undersandable that the Albinas can't keep track of their children's addresses and ages .After all.they have 64 children
Mr and Mrs Albina,with 64 children ,have the world's largest family.Not one of their children is adopted.
When people hear about the Albinas' large family,the first question they ask is "How is it possible"How can one woman give birth to 64 children in her lifetime?"The answer is simple:Every time Mrs. Albina gave birth,She had twins or triplets. She was a triplet herself,she thinks that´s why always had twins or triplets.
The Albinas married when Mrs. Albina was 12 years old and Mr. Albina was 30.The children came quickly,in twos and threes. The first 21 children were boys. Mrs. albina loved her sons, but she wantd a daughter very much.
The Albinas spent the early years of their marriage in Argentina. Then they decided to move to Chile. To travel from Argentina to Chile,they had to cross the Andes Mountains.Mr. and Mrs.Albina and their 21 sons made the difficult,two-week journey on mules.One night there was a terrible snowstorm in the mountains.During the snowstorm,Mrs. Albina gave birth to triplets,a boy and-two girls! Albina now has 20 more girls,including twins who are 15 months old.
The oldest Albina children are in their thirties and forties. They are on their own now,but 18 of the Albina children still live with their parents. The family lives in a two-room shack in colina,chile.The shack has electricity but no toilet or running water. The children wash in a small bowl in the dusty backyard.
At times there is very little food in the Albinas´ small house.When there is not enough food for everyone,Mrs. Albina makes sure,the youngest children do not go hungry.'The smallest eat first,children do not go hungry.We´ve always done it that way'she says.Obviously,the Albinas do not have enough money for their big family.Why,then,do they continue to have children?
The albinasdo not use birth control because it is against their religion.They could let other people take care of their children ,but Mrs .Albina will not allow it.'When my two brothers and I were babies'She says,our mother left us at an orphanage and never returned. We lived there together until we were five.Then a couple adopted my brothers,and I was left behind. I was hearbroken.I promised myself that when I became a mother,I would never give my children away. Even if I didn´t have much money, I would always take care of my children myself' Mrs albina has kept her promise.
So,the Albina family continues to grow.Mr and Mrs Albina have so many children that they ran out of names for them all and had to give some children the same name .There are three Susannas,three Miriams,two soledades.
Will there be a fourth susanna or a third Estrella?Will the Albinas stop at 64 children,or will there be moreÞMr Albina is 79 years old ,and Mrs. Albina is 61.'I am getting old' she says with a smile I would like God to think of me and consider my age. But, if God sends more children to me,yes ,there will be more'
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