Nancy with ginger hair and some landscape in the background
Ashoka Fellow since 2023   |   Kenya

Nancy Maina

Lugha Ishara
For deaf children to practice and master social and emotional skills, they need to have their parents and caregivers acquire a common language that they can share and learn together from the deaf…
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This description of Nancy Maina's work was prepared when Nancy Maina was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2023.

Introduction

For deaf children to practice and master social and emotional skills, they need to have their parents and caregivers acquire a common language that they can share and learn together from the deaf child’s birth. Nancy has created a first-of-its-kind approach to addressing this problem in East andRead more

The New Idea

The formative years, spanning from ages 2 to 5, hold immense significance in a child's development, particularly in the realms of language acquisition and cognitive growth. However, the lack of early detection and intervention for hearing loss leaves many deaf children without the necessaryRead more

The Problem

In Kenya, the absence of early screening and detection for hearing loss among newborns is a concerning issue that remains largely unaddressed. When infants are born, there is a lack of assessment for potential hearing impairments, causing this problem to remain hidden in the shadows. Additionally,Read more

The Strategy

Nancy's work is holistic and encompasses a deep understanding of the various factors that hinder early intervention and overall well-being.



She embarked on her journey by strategically positioning herself as an advisor at Gertrudes Children's Hospital, East and Central Africa's largestRead more

The Person

Nancy's journey towards igniting social justice and breaking barriers began in her childhood. As a child, she faced frequent illnesses and was labeled as ‘fragile’, something she did not like being identified as. Her father, a great source of inspiration, instilled in her the belief that sheRead more