“It is essential for parents to care for themselves so they can care for their children.” 

On Wednesday, 25th June 2025, Challenge Works and Van Leer Foundation brought together key actors from across East Africa to discuss and promote the Good Start Challenge – an initiative to advance innovation to support the wellbeing of parents and caregivers of young children. The energy in the room was clear: this was more than an event, it was the start of an important conversation about supporting parents and caregivers across the region.

Throughout the day, the central idea of the Good Start Challenge was clear and compelling: When a child is born, a parent is also born. Parenthood is not just about caring for the child but also recognizing the profound transformation the parent goes through—mentally, socially, and physically.

The gathering attracted over 70 participants, representing a diverse range of organizations including local community groups, international non-governmental organizations, government bodies, and grassroots community-based initiatives. Participants left energized, reflective, and ready to continue the conversation in their own organizations and communities.

Mental Health as a Priority

One of the highlights of the day was the presence of the Mayor of Masaka, Her Excellency Florence Namayanja. She spoke powerfully about the need to prioritize mental health care for parents and caregivers as they navigate the journey of raising children. “In Masaka city, we recognize that mental health is not a luxury,” she reminded the audience. “It is essential for parents to care for themselves so they can care for their children. It is timely that we are turning attention to the parents this time.” 

 She raised the need for public spaces where parents and children can play as a pathway to mental wellbeing. “Play is healing,” she said. “It is how parents and children spend quality time together, build bonds, and support each other’s wellbeing.”

This was reiterated by Vincent Mujune of StrongMinds Uganda, who highlighted the urgent need for proactive systems that can identify, profile, and accurately characterize mental health issues among parents. He emphasized that many parents struggle in silence. “We need to be intentional about supporting them,” he urged.

Innovation for and by Communities Affected by Displacement

The Good Start Challenge is seeking innovations that support parents and caregivers affected by or at risk of forced movement. In supporting these parents, Micheal Gumisiriza of CoHere challenged everyone to think critically about innovations emerging from refugee and displaced communities. He argued that these communities understand their problems more personally and can offer unique, practical solutions. “Some of the smartest and most creative innovations are coming from refugees themselves,” he said. “But too often, they are ignored or undervalued because they live in camps and are not given the freedom to explore and flourish.”

John Bolingo Ntahira, leader of Hope for Children and Women Victims of Violence (HOCW) in Uganda, shared his own experience as a refugee, stressing that the Good Start Challenge is arriving at the right time. “We need seed funding, collaborative funding models, and a clear framework for care and collaboration,” he said. “This is especially true for parents and caregivers in migration and displacement contexts, who are often overlooked.”

Collaboration

Karima Grant, the Africa Regional Representative for the Van Leer Foundation, reminded attendees that parenting is a period of rapid change, one that requires support systems that are empathetic and responsive. “We cannot expect parents to thrive in isolation,” she said. “We must build systems of care that include government, private sector, and communities working together.”

Indeed, the event did not shy away from the need for collaboration. Discussions included calls to ensure systems of care are established and maintained through strong partnerships between government, NGOs, private stakeholders, and local communities. The vision is to create an ecosystem where parents and caregivers can raise children in environments that truly support their health, learning, and wellbeing.

Want to learn more?

If you want to hear more from the speakers at the event or hear more about the Good Start Challenge, check out:

• Highlights from the event
• Our interview on NTV Uganda.

Visit our website to: 

• See how you can get involved
• Register for the upcoming webinar focused on the needs, and opportunities to support parents in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Consider entering the Challenge. 

This is an opportunity to support innovative solutions that will make a real difference for parents, caregivers, and children across the region.

“When a child is born, a parent is also born.” Let’s make sure they both thrive.