In the rural health zone of Ototo, Sankuru Province, 27-year-old Aloki Konga experienced a life-changing tragedy when her first child was diagnosed with polio. Her two-year-old daughter’s sudden onset of acute flaccid paralysis shattered their world, and the devastating confirmation that she would never walk again left the family heartbroken. The disease, often feared but not always fully understood, had now deeply impacted their lives.

Polio, an illness that many in the region had underestimated, now cast a shadow over the family. Aloki’s husband, like many others in their community, had hesitated to vaccinate their children due to concerns about potential side effects. However, their daughter’s tragic condition forced a painful reckoning. This experience would change everything for Aloki and her family.

A Determined Fight for Prevention

Determined not to allow polio to harm her family any further, Aloki set out to educate herself about the disease and the role of vaccines in preventing it. She learned about the safety and effectiveness of vaccination, realizing how crucial these interventions are in stopping polio and other preventable diseases. Armed with this knowledge, Aloki persuaded her husband to change his stance on vaccines, ensuring their younger daughter—now 11 months old—was fully vaccinated on time.

Becoming a Voice for Change in Ototo

Aloki’s journey didn’t stop with her own children. Motivated by her daughter’s diagnosis and driven by a deep desire to protect others, Aloki became a vocal advocate for vaccination within her community. She quickly became familiar with the local vaccination schedule, and her mission was clear: to share what she had learned with her neighbors, friends, and other mothers.

Going door-to-door, Aloki passionately engaged families in conversations about the importance of vaccines. With a mix of empathy and resolve, she explained how polio had irrevocably changed her daughter’s life and how vaccination could prevent other children from enduring the same fate. She became a trusted voice, dispelling myths and fears that often led to vaccine hesitancy.

Inspiring a Community to Act

Aloki’s story is a powerful reminder of how one person’s experience can inspire change in an entire community. Through her tireless efforts, more families in Ototo are becoming aware of the critical role vaccines play in protecting their children from life-altering diseases like polio. Her advocacy has not only increased awareness but has also shifted attitudes, encouraging previously hesitant parents to vaccinate their children.

Despite the hardship her family has faced, Aloki’s resilience serves as a beacon of hope in the fight against polio. Her community-driven efforts have reignited focus on vaccination campaigns in Ototo, demonstrating how personal stories can lead to widespread action. Her work has brought renewed attention to the importance of immunization, showing that change can start with one determined individual.

Thanks to Aloki and others like her, the battle against polio continues, with communities becoming better informed and more actively engaged in protecting their children’s health and futures.