Quinter Aoko’s Journey of Nurturing Healthy Communities

From her humble beginnings as a Volunteer Graduate Assistant to the founding of Afya for Jamii, Quinter’s story is one of resilience, empathy, and the belief that every child deserves a chance to flourish. From the tranquil city of Kisumu to the coastal town of Malindi, she embarked on a mission to find her place in society and become a catalyst for change.

Quinter Aoko is a beacon of hope amidst Kenya’s challenges. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and determination. She is the founder of Afya for Jamii, a registered community-based organization in Malindi committed to pursuing good health in all its forms. Founded in 2020, and driven by its mission of ‘nurturing healthy families,’ Afya for Jamii—Good Health for the Community—has transformed the lives of over eighty families. Their aim is to reduce maternal mortality rates, lower malnutrition rates for expectant mothers and children below five years, and encourage drug adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS.

Being the driving force behind this noble initiative, the 30-year-old mother of one acknowledges that the journey has been far from easy. Her story unfolds against the backdrop of Kenya’s G-United program—an annual national volunteering program launched in September 2014 by the Kenyan President and implemented by the Ministry of Education. University graduates are engaged to serve as Volunteer Graduate Assistants (VGAs) in primary schools located in counties other than their home counties for nine months.

By providing remedial education support and serving as ‘education ambassadors’ in the community, they contribute to the quality improvement of education in Kenya. As a university graduate then, she embarked on a mission not just to find her place in society but to become a catalyst for change in the lives of others.

The Big Move

“It was a scary start travelling to the unknown. I was born and raised in Kisumu, in the western part of Kenya, and the furthest I had gone to was Nairobi. I got a host family that accommodated me for nine months as I volunteered at a primary school where we were doing the literacy assessments for grades 2 and 3,” she recalls.

Assigned to a primary school in Malindi, her role as a VGA was more than just an opportunity; it was a calling to uplift young minds and mend the fabric of fractured communities. She saw firsthand the stark realities that many children face—realities shaped by poverty, neglect, and the silent scourge of malnutrition.

“Initially, I thought that children who performed poorly in class were because of inherent inadequacy. However, after months of this program, I learned that most of them were affected by their lifestyle back at home; circumstances beyond their control,” she admits.

Through her work, Quinter has become a witness to the profound impact of the environment on a child’s ability to learn and thrive. She discovered that behind every struggling student lay a story of resilience, where hunger and hardship overshadowed the pursuit of knowledge.

As her voluntary program concluded, the prospect of returning to Kisumu loomed over her like a shadow of uncertainty. With employment opportunities scarce, she was at a crossroads: to retreat to familiar territory or forge a new path in the coastal town of Malindi, where she had discovered a newfound passion for community work.

Choosing the latter, she delved deeper into the fabric of the town’s social landscape. She immersed herself in volunteerism with organizations like Elimu, where she became a support system for struggling learners. Her conviction that a little push could pave the way to brighter futures became her guiding principle.

Amid this tapestry of service, Quinter stumbled upon an opportunity that would redefine her purpose. She saw the chance to make a tangible difference here, where the shadows of infant mortality cast a somber pall over countless families.

Strengthening Mothers and Caregivers

Inspired by her experiences and driven by empathy for the vulnerable, she established a program to provide formula milk for motherless newborns. “I must have been destined for children,” she reflects, her words tinged with a sense of divine purpose. For families ravaged by poverty, the cost of formula milk was a burden, a stark reminder of the gaping disparities that plagued their lives.

In Quinter’s eyes, the inability to afford this basic necessity spelt financial hardship and a tragic barrier to the survival of innocent lives. “In most cases, such newborns’ lives end when their caregivers cannot afford to take care of them,” she explains, her voice carrying the weight of countless untold stories.

In Kilifi County, where mortality rates have surged in recent years, this program emerged as a shining light, a lifeline for families teetering on the brink of despair. For each infant reached, she saw not just a statistic but a precious soul deserving of a fighting chance.

I join her on a journey to Kambicha, in Magharini Sub-County, on a rainy Wednesday morning. The pitter-patter of raindrops against the windshield set the rhythm for her solemn mission. The road ahead stretches like a winding serpent, leading us through the heart of the coastal countryside, past dry thickets and desolate landscapes.

On our arrival, we are welcomed by Maureen Kazungu, a weary figure cradling her months-old baby—she is eight months into the program. Her weary eyes bear witness to the struggles she has endured, yet there is a glimmer of hope amidst the exhaustion.

As I look at the small and delicate baby in her arms, my heart feels heavy. Despite her age, she appears alarmingly tiny, a silent testament to the challenges she has faced since birth. Quinter, however, assures me that the baby has shown remarkable improvement since joining the program.

As we set off towards Maureen’s home, I climb onto a motorcycle with her while Quinter takes another with a load of supplies in tow. During the ride, Maureen shares snippets of her daily struggles, recounting how she often has to travel long distances to obtain her HIV medication when supplies run low.

Upon reaching her humble abode, a sense of isolation engulfs us. Undeterred by the challenges before her, Quinter embarks on a series of nutritional classes with Maureen, equipping her with the knowledge and tools needed to care for herself and her baby. They conclude by planting moringa seedlings, harnessing the nutritional power of the plants to ensure a brighter future for mother and child.

Sustainable Solutions

Our second visit to Mkaomoto unveils a contradicting revelation from the previous one. Lilian Mwadori, a grandmother whose determination defied the arid landscape of Malindi, embodies vibrant resilience. On our way there, Quinter procures vegetable seedlings, hinting at the transformative power of agriculture in Lilian’s life. “The one we are going to visit next is a passionate farmer. She is actually one of my proudest success stories,” she remarks with a hint of anticipation.

On our arrival, I am met by a scene of abundance that defies all expectations. The flourishing trees, fruits, and vegetables are a stark contrast to the dry surroundings. As I admire the home in awe, it becomes clear that this is more than just a garden—it is a testament to her unwavering determination to defy the odds.

Her granddaughter plays joyfully amidst the verdant landscape. “This is my granddaughter, child to my daughter who gave birth while in class six,” she explains. She joined the program to ensure that her granddaughter never knew the sting of hunger, even as she pushed her daughter to pursue her education.

Now, as a graduate of the program, Lilian speaks with a sense of palpable contentment. “I do not remember the last time I bought food. I do not even know the cost of food,” she confesses with a smile. For her, farming was more than just a means of sustenance—it was a lifeline, a source of empowerment that transformed her life in ways she never thought possible.

Driven by her passion for agriculture, Lilian was determined to break the cycle of food insecurity for her granddaughter and future generations. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of empowerment, demonstrating how a little boost could unleash untapped potential and create a ripple effect of positive change in communities. As we bid farewell to her and her granddaughter, I could not help but feel inspired by the resilience and determination that permeated their humble home.

“When you admit a child into the program, you’re essentially taking on the responsibility of their entire family,” Quinter reveals. She recounts the challenges of ensuring food security for each family, often going the extra mile to prevent hunger from overshadowing the child’s progress. “It is fulfilling to see a thriving and healthy baby, but the heartbreak of losing some children along the way weighs heavily on me. It affects me even psychologically,” she admits with a heavy heart.

Building a Legacy

Looking to the future, Quinter envisions expanding Afya for Jamii’s impact by establishing a safe space centre for babies and caregivers. This centre will serve as a hub for learning and support, offering practical workshops on basic farming skills and healthy meal preparation. Additionally, it will house a rescue centre for malnourished children, providing them with a haven to recover and thrive for at least three months.

Furthermore, she plans to leverage the success of the Moringa project by establishing a market for its products, empowering families to generate income and achieve economic stability. She is currently doing her Masters in Environmental Studies (Community Development) at Pwani University, School of Environmental and Earth Science. Her inspiration for the course is the desire to conduct research aimed at addressing food insecurity and child malnutrition in Kilifi County.

Through these initiatives, Afya for Jamii aims to address immediate health concerns and create sustainable solutions that uplift communities and foster long-term resilience. As she reflects on her experiences, her words resonate with empathy and understanding. She acknowledges the pivotal role that home life plays in shaping a child’s educational journey, emphasizing the urgent need for holistic support systems to address the root causes of academic challenges.

Quinter’s journey from Kisumu to Malindi is more than just a geographical transition; it is a testament to the power of compassion and the unwavering resolve to make a difference. Through her dedication and insight, she has enriched the lives of countless children and also ignited a guiding light in communities once overshadowed by adversity. In a world where disadvantage often dictates destiny, Quinter Aoko reminds us that every child deserves the chance to flourish, regardless of the odds stacked against them.