Knowledge Hub
On Father's Day, we celebrate and remember dads around the world who work tirelessly to support their children, often against incredible odds.
Facing a lack of access to food and basic resources, many fathers do so much for their families – providing for them and offering care and protection under the most challenging circumstances.
We share the stories of three fathers whose determination, hard work and hope are helping to build stronger futures for their children.
1. Hussein, Ethiopia
In a village in Dollo Bay District, Ethiopia, 60-year-old farmer Hussein Abdulahi Hussein has spent much of his life growing crops beside the Ganale River to provide for his family.
A father of 12, he knows from experience the many challenges of raising children in a rural community with limited access to resources. Today, he says new knowledge about nutrition and childcare is helping him give his children a healthier start in life.
Hussein is the leader of a group of 45 farmers supported by Concern's Hannano Programme. They live in a region that is prone to the climate extremes of drought and floods. As part of the project, he and his colleagues received a higher-quality variety of seeds, irrigation equipment, a generator and training in improved farming methods.
Today, Hussein’s maize harvests have more than doubled, and his family now grow a wider range of food, including tomatoes, peppers, bananas, papaya and cabbage.
But Hussein says some of the most important changes have come through his participation in a Concern-supported Father-to-Father group, where he learned about child nutrition and care.
Before, we didn’t know. I had a malnourished child, and we treated children like adults. We didn’t know what was good or bad for them. Now we do. We have vegetables and fruits in our hands, and knowledge too.
The family now use produce from the farm to prepare nutritious meals, and the children have access to a more varied diet.
Children used to go to school without breakfast. Now, they eat before they leave. A hungry child can’t learn. But now it’s different.
For Hussein, investing in his farm has also meant investing in his children’s health, education and future.
2. David, Kenya
Father-of-five boys David Mwangi has spent the past 15 years building a livelihood from farming. After moving between different regions in search of opportunities, he settled in Bura, Tana River in 2023.
My life revolves around farming. I…decided to find a way of earning a living, and farming was one of the ways I chose. I wanted my family to have the best.
Life in Tana River is difficult at times. Farmers face unpredictable climate conditions, labour shortages at harvest time, and crop losses caused by wild animals, while access to water has historically been a major challenge.
With support from Concern, David and other farmers in the community received drought-resilient varieties of maize and green gram seeds, training and help accessing reliable irrigation. The support has increased his yields and strengthened his income, giving him greater stability as a parent.
Those changes to his harvests and income have had a positive impact on his five boys.
My children are doing well. They were the reason I did this. They used to walk to school, and the distance was long. Now, I hire a motorbike to take them to and from school. They are very happy. Their health is good, and we even have enough money to save for the future.
Today, David is focused on expanding his farm, confident that every harvest will bring new opportunities for his children.
3. Issa, Sierra Leone
27-year-old Issa Conteh balances many roles in his community of Mathoranka, Sierra Leone. He is a farmer, volunteer teacher, husband, and father to his 11-year-old daughter. He uses his income from growing rice, peanuts and cassava to support his wife Agnes and their daughter, driven by a desire to create a better future for his village.
I want the community to improve, that is why I'm still [living] here. If I wasn’t here, I would miss my family, especially my parents. My wife, Agnes, is always with me…Our relationship is very good. She's very amazing. I appreciate her.
For years, financial pressures made family life difficult. Through the Yoti Yoti project run by Concern, Issa joined a Village Savings and Loan Association, gained business and farming skills, and was able to expand his rice production. The increased income has helped his family access more nutritious food and provided greater stability at home.
Just as important has been the Living Peace programme, which encourages families to make decisions together and resolve conflict through dialogue. He says involving every member of the family, including children, has made a significant difference.
My secret to a happy relationship is that I always like to involve my wife and my children. That's the only way to live in peace.
Today, Issa says his daughter is healthier, more energetic and performing better at school - changes he sees as the result of a stronger, more supportive family life.
This Father's Day, celebrate your father figure with a gift with real meaning - one that helps fathers around the world build bright futures for their families.
