Any time! Anywhere! — Supporting Children Starts at Home: Rerai Umntwana App Guides Caregivers
A new parenting app providing Zimbabwean caregivers with trusted, evidence-based guidance on child health, nutrition, development and protection—right in the palm of their hand.
As he looks at his newborn son, his chest swells with a quiet, overwhelming pride — the kind that comes with holding your whole world in your arms for the very first time. Full of hope and dreams that his son, Orion, named after the stars, will follow the destiny of his name.
At the age of 28 and newly married to his wife, Daisy, 27 years old, Ronald carries his first child. The weight of the reality of responsibility for this little human slowly creeps through.
Nothing had prepared him for fatherhood. “Now every decision we make — it’s not about what we want anymore. It’s about him,” says Ronald, as he looks closely at little Orion, who was born only a day before,
“The biggest challenge is adapting,” he explains. Our sleeping patterns will change, and our daily routine will also change. Everything changes.”
Filled with uncertainty, Ronald adds, “The anxiety of watching every little thing — every movement, every sound… wondering if you’re doing the right thing. Even simple things like holding him properly become overwhelming”, realising that he doesn’t know as much as he thought. Ronald, however, is relieved that he has a strong support system —his mother-in-law, cousins, and even a close friend who is a doctor.
But then, surprisingly, Ronald learns that support is now available 24/7 through technology. “My son was born just one day before the Rerai Umntwana, Bebbo app was launched at our local clinic,” he says. “So, I was there when they introduced it.” Curious and eager to do the best for his child, he decided to try it. “I had nothing to lose,” he says. “And honestly, it’s amazing. Simple, straightforward, and very helpful.”
“This app is a game changer,” he says. “It makes life easier, more informed, and more meaningful every day.” — Ronald
Relying on the knowledge and experience of others and risking misinformation is a thing of the past for Ronald, who expresses his excitement about learning more about feeding, nutrition, and growth milestones.
For all parents and caregivers including Ronald, who is navigating through uncertainty, the Rerai Umntwana App, meaning “Nurture the Child” is a new parenting app providing Zimbabwean caregivers with trusted, evidence-based guidance on child health, nutrition, development and protection—right in the palm of their hand and aims to bridge the information gap related to childcare, by providing credible, verifiable information from local and international experts, covering a wide range of critical areas from child nutrition, immunization, pregnancy and breastfeeding, developmental milestones and the importance of positive parenting.The application is available on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. It is accessible offline once downloaded, user-friendly, and available in formats designed to reach caregivers regardless of location or literacy level. Users can also switch the language from English to either Shona or Ndebele, depending on their preferences.
Developed with funding from the Government of Japanled by the Government of Zimbabwe, and with a collaborative process involving health and child development experts, Rerai Umntwana App reflects global best practices. It aligns with national policies on maternal, newborn, and child health. The application is available on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. It is accessible offline once downloaded, user-friendly, and available in formats designed to reach caregivers regardless of location or literacy level. Users can also switch the language from English to either Shona or Ndebele, depending on their preferences.
