In the village of Tilkahawa, Nepal, Sunita became a mother after having left school at a very young age herself. Without access to information about young children’s health and development, she relied on her own experience and on the advice passed down within her community to care for her son.
Encouraged by a neighbour, she attended parenting education sessions, where she learned about the importance of nutrition, hygiene and safe drinking water for young children’s health. The sessions also opened up a new way of thinking, showing her how small, everyday practices can have a lasting impact on a child’s health, growth and well-being.
Since then, Sunita has boiled the water for her three-year-old son every day. It is a time-consuming and physically demanding routine, requiring her to gather firewood and heat the water over a fire. But the effort now feels meaningful to her. Each day, boiling water has become an act of care, protection and love.
Beyond these new practices, the sessions have helped Sunita gain confidence in her role as a mother. She now has practical knowledge to support her child and make more informed choices about his health and development. What she has gained goes beyond information: it has given her hope and the belief that, even with limited means, she can give her son a healthier start in life.
