Allowing children to grow up with their families is an important foundation for every child. That is why we have decided to place even greater emphasis on our family project. We are trying to help families get back on their feet using simple means. The long-term goal is for children to be able to grow up in a good environment, with education and good nutrition—and at home with their families. In this blog post, we explain more about what we exactly do.

Maisha Bora is constantly contacted by social welfare offices, school administrators, neighbors, and the police, who ask for support and advice for underprivileged children. Our senior mama, Leah, discusses the respective situations with her team in order to take the necessary steps. These are often time-sensitive interventions, as the children affected usually do not have a stable living situation. The analysis of the families on site is carried out by our social worker Stephano and our nurse Winrose. These interventions are often challenging and require a lot of time, calmness, and patience. While Stephano creates an initial profile of the family or the child concerned, including all important information, Winrose conducts an initial health assessment of everyone involved. In emergencies, initial treatment is provided immediately. As already mentioned, this analysis is not always easy. Each visit often reveals new incidents and circumstances. This is understandable, as many families – mostly single mothers or grandmothers – are ashamed to answer questions openly or talk about their lives. It takes empathy, patience, time, and several visits to build trust on both sides.

Once this trust has been established, those affected often tell very challenging stories marked by suffering, despair, respect, fear, and ignorance. Here, our team is required to listen very carefully, even between the lines, in order to draw the right and necessary conclusions. The need is sometimes so great that important basic information is withheld for fear of not receiving help otherwise. For our Maisha Bora team, such cases are always challenging moments. Many of those affected cannot read, have no sense of time, no money for a phone call or transport, and missing documents often prevent them from moving forward. The most important thing, however, is that children from these difficult circumstances are allowed to grow up in a safe, loving, and livable environment. They need a stable foundation in order to put down roots for life. This is exactly where we want to start, together with the relatives, and strengthen the families.

“Having a place to go is a home. Having someone to love is a family. Having both is a blessing.”

In recent years, we have been able to support many families, some for short periods, others for longer. As soon as our team determines that a family has stabilized and can once again provide for itself, food aid is gradually reduced and eventually discontinued altogether. Nevertheless, the families remain in contact with Maisha Bora and can continue to receive a certain amount of support. Every month, Mama Leah and Masia buy essential food items such as rice, beans, corn, flour, sugar, pasta, and oil at the market. Every family registered with us can pick up this package at Maisha Bora, and for two families, the food is delivered by our staff.

The program also provides clothing, school uniforms, drinking water, medical care, and social support. The aim is to give the children a sense of stability as quickly as possible. Once this has been achieved, the next step is discussed with the mother or legal guardian.

Finding work is often a major challenge in a developing country. It is very important to us to support such processes. When family members are able to find paid work, the children are better cared for and can attend school regularly. Regular visits and discussions are essential in these processes. Every step in the right direction, no matter how small, strengthens and motivates everyone involved. NUKIA is working together with the Maisha Bora team to expand, deepen, and anchor the family project in the long term in order to support disadvantaged children.