CONTRIBUTORS
Peter Muriuki Gatheru
Project Officer
Who is Peterrock Muriuki?
I am a Project Coordinator in charge of the World Health Organization-Human Reproduction Programme (WHO-HRP Alliance) Hub at APHRC. The Hub’s goal is to enable African countries to generate their own appropriate and contextual solutions to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) challenges and adopt them into policy and practice. I joined APHRC in early 2007 as a consultant and became a full-time staff member in March 2012.
Peterrock is a father to two wonderful children, a boy and a girl. My son is 10 years old, and my daughter is 5.
Did you always want to become a father? Why?
Ha ha! funny question I guess I always wanted to become a father because I love babies a lot! In fact, I was the ‘to-go-to’ babysitter for most of my nieces and nephews. So, naturally, I wanted to have some of my own.
Describe fatherhood in three words, and how has fatherhood changed your life?
Most Important Job (in the world).
Fatherhood has made me realize that the most important contribution to a functioning society is to raise my children right and help others do the same. As Les Csorba (former President Bush’s White House Advisor and Theologian) said, “Parenting is the single most demanding leadership job on the planet.” The family is the smallest unit that goes on to form the society that we live in. Great children make great societies.
Are there experiences you have had as a father which have made you a better person?
Yes. Sometime in 2023, I enrolled for a Training of Trainers (ToT) course for parenting at our church – Parklands Baptist Church – and after 10 weeks of the training, I realized that most parents parent “on the go” mainly through trial and error. I am now one of the lead trainers for the parenting course. I recommend that all parents and aspiring ones join a parenting class (different churches and organizations lead many such classes), and they will benefit immensely from it.
What has been the most challenging encounter in your journey as a father, and how did you overcome it?
Some years back, I had just reported for my Masters Program in Rwanda when I was informed that my son (4 years old then) had been admitted to hospital. My wife, who was then expectant, had to stay in the hospital to take care of him. It was a difficult time for me, but luckily, my extended family rallied together and really supported us. Social support helped me to overcome that challenge. Most importantly, we chose to parent as a team; therefore, my lovely wife has unwaveringly supported me, especially during the periods I have been away.
If you were to have lunch with another dad, whether a celebrity or not, who would it be and why?
I would (have) liked to have one more lunch with my dad (God bless his soul); unfortunately, he passed away in 2023 at the ripe age of 82. He was and remains my hero. In his place, I would like to have lunch with the Rev. Ambrose Nyangao, the Senior Pastor at Parklands Baptist Church. I would like to learn more about his parenting journey, especially balancing that and leading a huge church.
What are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about helping people realize their potential. In the professional space, I am always nudging people to think about higher possibilities in their professional lives, and as a parenting trainer, I am passionate about supporting intentional parenting.
What do you enjoy most about working at APHRC?
There is a lot to enjoy working at APHRC, but most importantly, it’s provided a collegial environment and a culture that supports self-development and innovation.
What do you enjoy doing during your free time?
I enjoy reading books: Thriller novels, self-development, and motivational books (in that order )
What’s your parting shot to fathers out here?
Fatherhood is a privilege. Fatherhood is sacrifice. Fatherhood is enjoyable. Fatherhood is rewarding. Take it seriously.
How can we support the fathers around us?
Many ways such as: Reaching out to fathers who seem to be struggling with parenting and assisting them appropriately, empowering fathers to be able to provide what is needed by their families, helping fathers to free themselves from addictions (drugs, alcohol, digital cocaine aka social media), and most of all, appreciating fathers for what they do! Someone said the society waits for fathers to do one wrong thing and castigates them for it, but no one remembers the sacrifices and the good things fathers do in leading their families. Appreciate fathers more!