Back Where She Belongs: Purity’s New Life with Her Grandmother
23.07.2026
Purity’s chance to grow up in a loving family in Kenya was interrupted when her mother was seriously injured in a road accident. The injuries left her with ongoing health challenges that made it difficult for her to care for her baby.
At just six months old, Purity was temporarily placed in an institution as the local Children’s Officer Veronica Igoki tried to trace her family. Training by Lumos meant she recognised the need for Purity to grow up in a family in order to thrive. Happily, Veronica was able to connect with Purity’s grandmother, Irene, to make this happen.
Even though Irene was willing to care for Purity, she was concerned that she would not be able to meet Purity’s needs without additional support.
Pictured: Irene, grandmother and carer to Purity, and Veronica, Children’s Officer.
With specialist training and support from Lumos, Veronica worked alongside local stakeholders, including the institution, to explore family-based care for Purity and support her grandmother to be able to care for her, including access to a parenting training programme.
“The training by Lumos has changed the way I think and work. I was able to identify Purity’s grandmother’s needs so she could care for her. She took part in the Lumos Positive Parenting training which helped her, and many people in the community, to see that children need a family to grow,” said Veronica Igoki, Children’s Officer, Kenya.
One of Purity’s favourite things to do is to accompany her grandmother, Irene, to the market.
Purity is now living with Irene and great grandmother, where she is thriving and happy. She is receiving the love of her family while enjoying going to school with her cousins.
Purity is my flesh and blood and I am very happy to take care of her. I love her so much,
– Irene, Purity’s grandmother.
“What I love most about my work is seeing children being safe,” added Veronica.
Growing up in a loving family has given Purity the opportunity to belong, learn and thrive in a safe, stable and supportive environment.
Lumos’ vision is that all children grow up in safe and loving families. In 2018, we began working with the Government of Kenya and strategic partners to strengthen the national child protection system. Since then, Kenya has developed and adopted an ambitious National Care Reform Strategy (2022–2032), recognising that children thrive best in families. Lumos provided technical guidance to inform the development of the strategy, which now provides a national framework for transitioning away from a systemic reliance on institutions.
Every child deserves what Purity now has: a family, a home and a future. Your donation helps train child protection workers, support families, and reunite children with the people who love them.
