A NeuroKids coordinator in Kenya reflects on the resilience of the mothers she supports every day.
Every day at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya, Maria Nabwera meets mothers whose strength often goes unseen. They arrive carrying their children, navigating long queues, medical appointments, and uncertainty about the future. Yet they keep showing up. For Maria, these mothers represent the resilience that International Women’s Day seeks to celebrate.
“I am passionate about humanitarian aid,” she says. When Maria first learned about NeuroKids and its work supporting children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida, she immediately felt connected to the mission. “After hearing about the work, I realized it aligned with my values.”
Today, Maria serves as the NeuroKids Coordinator in Mombasa, supporting families as they navigate treatment, follow-up care, and emotional challenges. As part of the NeuroKids care model, coordinators help ensure children stay connected to treatment by guiding families through hospital systems, answering questions, and providing support throughout the care journey. Her background in psychology plays a critical role in her work. “Seeing the mothers and providing psychological support for them, I feel I belong,” she explains. “I am able to help them access medical care and also provide the emotional support they need.”
Maria’s work goes beyond coordinating appointments. She helps parents understand their child’s condition, connects them with doctors, and checks in with families who miss clinic visits.
“I am proud of being able to be the link between the parents and the doctors, the parents and the hospital,” she says.
But the emotional support she provides is just as important. “It is not easy for parents when they first learn their baby has hydrocephalus or spina bifida,” Maria explains. “I try to provide techniques that help them cope during that emotional difficulty.”
The Strength of Mothers
Working closely with caregivers has given Maria a deep appreciation for the women she meets every day. Many mothers travel long distances to reach the clinic, often carrying their children alone. Some face stigma in their communities, while others struggle with the financial demands of repeated hospital visits. Yet they remain determined. “They never get tired of coming to the clinic. They never get tired of asking questions or providing aftercare. They want the best for their kids.”
Over time, Maria has also seen attitudes begin to change. “Before, mothers would hide their babies because of fear of stigma,” she says. “Now you see them holding their babies proudly, playing with them in the waiting areas.” By sharing their stories and caring openly for their children, these women are helping create awareness and acceptance in their communities. Their visibility is slowly changing how hydrocephalus and spina bifida are understood, encouraging other families to seek care and support.
A Message of Hope
For Maria, International Women’s Day is about recognizing the everyday contributions women make. “It means that women are seen and appreciated,” she says. When she thinks about strength, she sees the mothers she works with, women who continue caring for their children even during the most difficult moments.
Her message to women facing hard seasons is simple: “Difficulties are part of life. But when you decide that you are going to be okay in the long run, that’s when victory starts. Don’t give up. Keep moving.”
This International Women’s Day, Maria celebrates the women who show up for their children, their families, and their communities every single day. Because sometimes the most powerful impact begins with simply being present.
