Awiti’s Story: Nurturing Support through Moments That Matter®

By Tobias Aul, Programs Manager at ADS-Nyanza

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of talking about the work I am most passionate about at the East Africa Regional Early Childhood Development (ECD) Conference in Tanzania. There, I was surrounded by colleagues who believe–as I do–that all children should be raised in a nurturing environment with the help of caregivers and community members of all genders. Together, we can help our children reach their full developmental potential. 

Reflecting on the past few years that I have been the Programs Manager for ADS-Nyanza in Kenya, one story stays with me. 

I met a little girl named Awiti when I was visiting ECD program sites. Her name means “thrown away” in the Luo language, a name given to her by her adoptive father, Bon. 

Awiti’s story started by being born into a part of Kenya that is troubled with poverty, diseases such as malaria, high HIV prevalence, adverse weather such as drought and also political corruption. 

When Awiti’s birth mother was pregnant with her, she was young and already caring for a toddler. Ultimately, living in an under-resourced area facing great social ills meant she lacked the financial and emotional support needed to keep her children healthy and safe. Just a few months after Awiti was born, her mother abandoned her baby girl in a bush by the roadside hoping that someone passing by may have the ability to care for her. As Awiti lay under the bush, she cried out. A community member walked by and heard her cries and knew exactly what to do. They called for Mary, a well-known ECD promoter in the community, pictured below.

As a volunteer with Moments That Matter® (MTM), a program partnership of Episcopal Relief & Development, Mary’s work in the community involves hosting caregiver support and learning groups in her home, and teaching her community about healthy social, emotional and physical child development. Not surprisingly, Mary has become a symbol of loving care–the perfect person to intervene. In this case, though, her intervention went above and beyond her usual responsibilities.  

Feeling fondness for the child, Mary didn’t want to turn her over to the government where she would end up in a group home. Instead, Mary reported the case to the local administration and police who allowed her to bring Awiti to her house–much to her husband, Bon’s, initial surprise. 

Bon’s new role as a father was challenging for him. At that moment, he was like many of the fathers I often meet through MTM at ADS-Nyanza–in need of guidance.

Over time, through the use of MTM materials and practices, Bon began to bond with Awiti. He sang songs to her and engaged her in other activities that stimulated her mind. Since then, Bon has become a champion for involving other fathers in caregiving support groups. Bon actively works with other fathers to develop play and learning materials, and now when Mary hosts caregiver support and learning groups at their home, he plays with and watches over the children.

As I shared with my colleagues at the East Africa Regional Conference, I have learned through my work in ECD that the entire community plays an important role in ensuring care is given to children. Neighbors, faith leaders, volunteers, women and men. 

I have witnessed the impact MTM has in the lives of the families and people I visit–especially in the lives of men like Bon who once were hesitant to take a more active role in raising their children. Men who once thought house chores were a gendered activity, now cook nutritious meals for their families. Things are changing, and with the entire community involved, the change will last.

Reminiscent of the story of Moses in the Bible, Awiti’s story ends happily. Though given away a few months after birth, she has grown into a confident young girl with the support of loving caregivers, Bon and Mary. 

Today, Awiti is almost four years old, and she is enrolled in school. Awiti and Bon work on their home garden together, an activity that teaches both of them about healthy foods, allows them to strengthen their relationship and is a source of additional income for the household.

When we bring the entire community along, men included, children are given a loving, protective, stimulating environment that helps them to become whatever they want to be.

Tobias Aulo has served at ADS-Nyanza in various capacities since 2007. He is currently the Programs Manager for ADS-Nyanza. His focus is more on integrated Early Childhood Development programs in Kenya. Tobias lives in Kenya with his wife and children.