Parenting with Love: Vastina’s Story
A Hidden Struggle
Vastina lives in Isingiro refugee settlement in western Uganda. Like many families who have fled conflict, her family faces poverty, limited access to services, and few opportunities for support for children with disabilities.
Raising Christine and her five other children often felt overwhelming. Christine is nonverbal and has limited mobility, and Vastina struggled to meet her needs without support. Financial stress and stigma placed strain on the family, leaving Vastina feeling isolated and unsure how to help her daughter.
“I did not know how to help Christine,” she says.
Things began to change when teachers introduced Vastina to Right To Play’s Play To Grow program, funded by the LEGO Foundation. The program helps parents strengthen relationships with their children and support their social-emotional development, literacy, and numeracy through play. A program evaluation found that 87% of caregivers adopted positive parenting attitudes after participating.
Vastina joined the first cohort and learned new approaches to parenting that emphasized empathy, encouragement, and play instead of harsh discipline.
“They reminded me that every child deserves love,” she says.
A Shift in Perspective
At first, Vastina doubted that play could make a difference. But as she learned how play supports learning and development, her relationship with Christine began to change.
“I learned that Christine is not a burden,” she says. “She is a child that's full of potential.”
Today, Vastina spends more time outdoors with Christine, singing, talking, and playing together. Seeing Christine smile strengthened their bond and transformed how Vastina viewed motherhood.
“I love her so much. She is happy, and that makes me happy.”
The changes spread throughout the household. Evenings that were once marked by stress are now filled with songs, storytelling, and games. Her husband has also become more involved, and Vastina has learned healthier ways to manage her emotions.
“Our home is peaceful for the first time,” she says.
She also sees the impact of play on her six-year-old daughter Violet, who creates toy houses, dolls, and cars from natural materials, building creativity and problem-solving skills through imaginative play.
Vastina now shares what she has learned with other parents in her community, encouraging them to use positive guidance rather than harsh punishment.
“I shared what I had learned—that showing love makes a child strong,” she says.
Her advice inspired other mothers to learn more about Play To Grow and how it can strengthen family relationships.
“Let this program reach more families like mine,” she says. “It brings light where there was only darkness.”
“I shared what I had learned—that showing love makes a child strong.”
Play To Grow, funded by the LEGO Foundation and implemented by Right To Play, helps parents in Uganda’s refugee communities support their children’s learning, development, and well-being through the power of play.
