In Search Of My Father - BBC Africa Eye documentary
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- čas přidán 1. 10. 2022
- In Kenya, over a third of the population grow up in single parent families.
#BBCAfricaEye follows the personal journey of reporter Namukabo Werungah, who has never known her father and has decided to search for this missing part of her identity. She has no idea if he is alive or dead, but with her wedding approaching, has decided it’s time to know her history.
Armed only with a name and a profession, Namukabo travels across Kenya. She meets others in a similar situation, searches through police records, faces conversations she has always feared to have with her family, and finds revelations along the way.
Her emotional journey strikes a chord with millions in Kenya and across the continent. Will she find the man she was meant to call dad? And if she does, will he want her in his life?
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Africa Eye brings you original, investigative journalism revealing secrets and rooting out injustice in the world’s most complex and exciting continent. Nothing stays hidden forever.
You can check out all BBC Africa Eye investigations at bit.ly/bbcafricaeye
#Kenya #Fatherhood #Identity #SingleParent #Belonging
CREDITS:
Reporter - Namukabo Werungah
Director and Executive Producer - Nicky Milne
Cinematographer - Elijah Kanyi
Film Editor - Finlay Milne
Executive Producers - Vera Kwakofi, Bilkisu Labaran
Investigative Producer - Tom Odula
Fixers - Kenneth Rutto, Jesse Chenge
Drone Operator - Chrispine Omuko
Sound Mix - Jez Spencer
Colourist - Boyd Nagle
Online Editor - Chris Stott
Re-versioning Producer - Anna Payton
Blogger - Jackson Bikozulu
Social Media Producer - Anusha Kumar
Digital Producer - Tamasin Ford
Production Coordinator - Loredana Neagoe, Sarah Clarke
Production Manager - Caroline Hamilton, Simon Frost
Editor, Africa Eye - Tom Watson
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Subscribe: bit.ly/subscribetoafrica
Website: www.bbc.com/africa
Facebook: / bbcnewsafrica
Twitter: / bbcafrica
Instagram: / bbcafrica
Met mine on 1st September this year after 28 years. The fella wasn't bothered at all. But the longing to meet him is gone forever. It was quite something. Glad it's gone!
You did it for you not him, so just be grateful you are steps ahead ☺️
The Colonel was right you are a carbon copy of your father! What a beautiful journey with an even more amazing ending!
What a sweet man. His genuine laugh on seeing his daughter for the first time and immeidately adding him to the tally of children he has❤️
As a Kenyan man from Rift Valley, I literally shaded tears over this story. Soo touching.
Powerful. My father died when I was 3 years old. Didn't really know him, very few memories exist, only know what my mother told me. All good, nothing negative. I miss him, and miss knowing him, really knowing him.
but the person on your profile picture is white so are you really kenyan or you just have antiblack self hatred
This story,also highlights the vulnerability of a young uneducated,girl,Werunga's mom,she was not going to school,a grown up man decided to sleep with her and she conceives and proceeds to get victimised all through her life, for things she had no control of.very sad for the African girl child of that time.This story has a happy ending only because Werunga is successful in life.Others go on this journey and get rejected again for the second time.
I did not grow with my biological dad, but I grew up with a great man that I don't regret calling dad. That man was great! Sadly he passed on 2021. I cry each time I come to reality that he is no more! He taught me a valuable lesson; that blood might be thicker but not as thick as genuine unconditional love. God less his soul. Until we meet again
The LANDSCAPE in Baringo is simply *STUNNING*
That is why they call it Canaan
@@MultiYoutub1 you spoke a FACT! 💯 #landofmilknhoney
Very true its beautiful
So is the story..
I’m so glad you found your father and he’s still alive . You both have so much to catch up with
I love how green her village and Kenya is❤️.
I'm so happy you met him
Where are you from?
Kenya is a beautiful country come visit one day
What a beautiful story. I thank God it had a happy ending, not many children find happy parents at the end of the road. Focus on your future now, all the best and congratulations. Love from zimbabwe🇿🇼
What a joyous ending, I'm glad you invited your new sisters to your wedding. I am in South Africa and I am struck by the landscape of Kenya. What a beautiful land with beautiful people.
I was also pleasantly surprised how beautiful and lush the landscape is.
Yes.Kenya is such a beautiful country.pay us a visit soon
@vuvu ilung karibu Kenya
Indeed the landscape is quite beautiful
Wee kamu
Please do MORE positive African stories!!! Views of Kenyan countryside 🇰🇪 are breathtaking!!!
This is the best thing I have watched this year so far ......... the father seems to be happy and so is the daughter!
...re union of the century!
I was raised by a single mom.. used to feel left out and was very emotional as a child..
Now now that I am older, I know having been both parents can sometimes be overatted.... Especially if if the home is broken and disfunctional.
Love yourself enough to not ever feel the need to be loved by anyone else..
There is nothing wrong with single-parent families especially where the relationship is abusive, or the relationship is not working. What is wrong is where mothers deny the fathers access to the child. It is good for the child's mental health to have a relationship with both parents (of course except where the men run away and deny the child). The best solution is to reintroduce compulsory child support. The British left us with that law but in 1968, a parliament dominated by men repealed that law.
Am raising an 8year old boy alone and my prayer,is that the dad reach out to him and acknowledge he is the father ,it will change so much in his life,he deserves that.
Reach out not for me but for his son.
This is beautifully done. I love your African documentaries. I hope that men all over the continent will be inspired by this documentary, find their kids and tell them that "I'm your father and I love you."
I am so happy for her that she eventually found her father. It is a heart warming story. Unfortunately, for some, this has not been the case. Her father seems like a nice person. I am glad it ended well.
Immediately I heard the Omunyin name, I knew I could help you trace his home because I know someone from Nambale whose surname is Omunyin. His late dad was also in the military. He passed on in 2014. I breathed a sigh of relief when the colonel informed you that the Omunyin you were looking for is still alive.
May all those looking for their lost parents find and reconnect with them. And may all fathers (rarely is it mothers) who know that they have children out there look for them and reconnect with them while their kids are still young.
All is well that ends well
What a lovely story. The story is an eye opener,; that at times those fathers we think left/abandoned us or are not bothered about us may not even be aware we exist. The man is so humble; to apologize even though he wasn't aware that he had a daughter. May God bless him his family and you gal.
Beautiful story! Kudos to Ms. W for being so brave to share her journey. Wishing her & her family the absolute best ❤ She has her father's laugh!
This documentary is better than I expected. Thank you for filming this and taking us with you on your personal journey of discovery. Your father sounds like a good man. He didn't know you existed and he welcomed you into his life and into your family without the cameras, it was genuine and sincere. We hope that you will take full advantage of this opportunity that you and him have to try and rebuild a father-daughter relationship. It was not his fault that he didn't know about you.
I am so very happy for you! I met my deceased brothers daughter and I can tell you it's been so incredibly beautiful finding a part of him that lives on. It's the best gift he could have ever given me. Congratulations to your family in it's reunification
Kudos to Werunga for carrying out this story. Do more of this to connect children with their parents.
A good man will never abandon his children no matter the circumstances. Men should be manly enough to take responsibility for the people they sired.
I'm glad she found closure and fulfillment after locating her father.
100% right bro. A man is in the end the one responsible of creating life as we are the ones carrying the vital ingredients for life, our "seeds".
And it shouldn't be taken lightly when you go on and plant that seed into the soil. You take care of your plant. You help and make sure it grows healthy. And when your plant has grown to become a strong tree, you can later in life lean on it for your own support when your branches and roots are giving in.
No one wants to be left as the only tree in the field. And by standing firm by your children's side in life. You will never be alone.
Take care man. Peace✌️
@@Brother_frojd true
He never abandoned her! He never knew she was born - he was a married man.
@@rosahacketts1668 My comment does not suggest that he willfully abandoned her. I was reiterating the point that a good father would never leave his kids. The man appears good, but we didn't hear much from the lady's mother who would have put all speculations to rest regarding the man's "goodness"
I also acknowledged that the lady found fulfillment after meeting him.
@@princeugochukwu you never dated a KIKUYU woman..
For those who do not know their father…If you don’t know your biological father, make sure you do a DNA with everyone you go into relationship with or about to marry, so that you won’t inadvertently marry or sleep your own sibling.
Best comment 👌. I've seen people married their siblings because they didn't know they were siblings.
Only if DNA tests were as affordable.
By the time they think about getting married, it maybe too late
wueh there's a story I read the other day of this girl who was having an affair with her father without her knowledge until she told her uncle who fainted upon hearing the name of the man she was dating!
Then if you happens you get married with your siblings , then you should know it's beyond your control ,,because we as Africans we speak when th inner spirit especially when getting married of the two, DNA is west style, Africans got theirways
So beautiful, amazing, encouraging and even prophetic for me personally. This came out on my mom's bday. My father passed on many years ago, i was a daddy's girl and his death literally broke me. But God has healed me, I'm whole and I pray a heavenly Father's blessing of identity, provision & protection over anyone who reads this. tears may last for a night but joy comes in the morning. Jesus loves you!
She looks so like her father! What a lovely reunion and I’m delighted that she has a relationship with her siblings!
I just cried watching this. Azin it's soo relatable 🥺. May you be happy. I wish you the best
The aunt said ‘solely he never knew he has a child’ says a lot and indeed he never knew she excited. If the mum wanted her to know who her father was she should have given the correct information. I’m very glad she talked with her aunt and looked for her father.
I met mine in August after more than 25yrs . Mine was purely curiosity,I gathered info slowly by slowly and one day I woke up and decided to quench my curiosity. Well,the welcome wasn't bad from all family members. Now my curiosity is settled I'm back to my normal life because creating bond might be next to impossible.
I'm so glad for this documentary. Thank you our Kenyan sister. I'm sure this piece will inspire a lot of black men and men in general, all over the world. We Africans also need to reach out to our descendants in the Americas and all over the world. They also are our children.
I have sister from Liberia also.
my dad had a child during his time in Liberia as a soldier, he lost contact with them when he came back to Nigeria after the peacekeeping.
Hopefully we get to find her some day.😢😢
Does he have her picture or anything about her?
Contact long lost family channel
I searched it but there are many channels with such titles and lot of stories
So if you don’t mind sending the link here
💕
If he has the mother’s name and family names. I am guessing it’s Monrovia? Liberia isn’t too big and would be easy to find.
That’s wonderful she found not only her father but also siblings and aunts and uncles to be part of her life.
I met my biological dad 2 years after high-school. Our first meeting was a mixture of happiness and anger, i cried.it's a whole story ya'll. I'm glad we have relationship now, it's been a journey.
Amazing story. Glad you found him and he turned out to be a good man
I’m so happy you got the closure and opener all at the same time. Tears of Joy over here. You and Kenya looks beautiful.
I have known you Namukabo werunga for many years but little did I know about your father. no wonder you used too talk about your grandma than any other person. I am inspired by your story, Knowing you in person. you indeed are focused and determined lady.
Thank God. It is a great reunion, nothing could be more rewarding than a child and father finally unites. Knowing your biological father is the greatest heritage anyone can have in life. Now today, you can receive your father's blessings and giving you out in marriage. Honestly, your life circle is totally completed now. Congratulations and may God continue to bless you forever. Amen
I have no words for him, my mother told me he was a policeman. just like yours, i think this is my greatest scar.
What a wonderful piece Namukhabo.
It's so emotional.Am happy that you found your dad alive.The re-union with your sisters is just beautiful.Bravo
So glad people are starting to talk about this. I grew up in foster care and have this huge hole in my heart because both of my parents are missing. As an infant I was given up for adoption to Catholic Social Services, but was never adopted. How society can allow this while blaming the child for their position is beyond me. It is not acceptable for people to "drop off" kids like parcels at their mother's door step or at the care home! Then expect us to grow up normally without vital information such as medical background or siblings. PS Why was the military allowed to mingle with students? Just unbelievable what was allowed to go down at the school while blaming the mother!
Your mother's family did a great job raising you.
What a beautiful story.You are brave.We never recover from lack of Fathers.We just drift through life.
Your grandmother is so beautiful!
Who realized how Kenya has very beautiful landscape ??? the story is touching though and i literally wept my tears off.
I know this is off topic but Kenya 🇰🇪 landscape is sooooo beautiful. Sending lots 💓 sister from Ghana 🇬🇭 ❤️
You re very welcome ☺ 😊
OMG, she is stunning, with the most beautiful brow n skin I have ever seen. This story brought me to tears bc 95% of black children’s fathers in America are absent. I am happy that she found her father.
95% !!!!that is tragic
95% is a fat exaggeration
That’s a lot
Not true
@@sayidaself522 yes , it true
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww, beautiful story. You look so much like your dad and i'm glad your sisters were warm and receptive. The ladies wearing green asoebi at the wedding, looked absolutely gorgeous. Well done on a great documentary
In the next 20 to 30 years this will be normal. In kenya right now we have alot of single mothers. Maybe i should invest in private detection department.
Yes you should! Am not Kenyan myself but looking to start a business in Kenya as I live here. And frankly this was a really good idea. Gonna start look into it right away
@@Brother_frojd a really great idea...
thought about that some time back..
would you love to collaborate?
Africans aping western culture has brought most of this
@@DrizzyDrake254 It is not Western rather a hybrid culture. A lot of African culrures were matrilineal. Western patriachy mixed with African matrilineal culutures is the reason for this.
A striking resemblance of dad and daughter, such a happy ending❤️💕💞💗
if i was to recommend an African documentary out there,this would be one of it
What a beautiful story this country is blessed with natural landscapes and the countryside.
Beautiful ! Have a sister in the UK i learnt when i was abot 25 years old. Spoke to her when i was doing my mcs in engineering in the Uk in the late 2000s. She became my new elder sister and we speak often.
As someone who was abandoned and a foster child/teen ultimately adopted. This was deeply moving to me personally. I sadly loss my biological father pretty tragically as a teen and my biological mom still till this day has not shown any interest in me. 😥😔😥 The scars, brokenness, void orphaned feeling, and sadness is still there I recently loss my adopted mom, the mother I never ever had, it’s an unbearable grief.💔 #GriefHurts #Parentlesss
receive lots of love and hugs dear🌺
You are indeed a carbon copy of your Dad the pic of you two made me shade a tear... Congratulations 👏
I can't stop watching. The narration is so powerful. Best wishes as you step into another phase of your life
She truly resembles him. Thank you for sharing your story. It's true that fatherhood gives kids part of their identity. Being a present father is the best thing that a father can do for his kids. I've also learnt that sometimes another person can play that role. I have been blessed in this way, I have a biological father but also a maternal uncle who has been actively present in my life. I've learnt from this man and I am grateful for Uncle Raph.
This woman has a beautiful skin tone, so rich in melanin.
Oh my God, you don't know the importance of something unless you are deprived!!!
I admire your courage. Thanks be to God. Your dad is also a great man, he never meant to stray. Thank you for inspiring story.
This is beautiful, I am thankful that het father and her new siblings are so welcoming.
Amazing story,,,this i the reality of the situation here in254🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪
This story raised so much emotions & trigers. Our parents should be more open.
I found my father on FB in 2020, after 29 years i am now 31. I only had the name. After some years of sending emails and messages to strangers with that name, one day i got a reply. I only wanted to see his picture , how he looks like. CLOSURE!! i found it. i blocked him and deleted the account. I just wanted closure not contact and not a relationship with him and now i can live and die in peace.
To anyone who his looking for their family, may you find them.its draining but one day you will find them.My love goes to you❤
Your story is so similar to mine. I have been looking for my father and recently got his number. I called him but once the guy noted who I am, he hung up and has been evading me ever since. I wish I could just see him and get closure. He is no where to be seen on social media. The pain from this ordeal has been horrendously painful. Some men are just useless.
the closure you were looking for? did you get it? i have never seen such an approach, very interesting, and i hope you found catharsis from this
Bravo for blocking him. Single mothers goes through a lot.,but the men enjoying life like normal
You found closure, But you opened something that he needs closure too, unblock him,
You GENIUS I BET.
I can't wait to meet my father one day and introduce him to his grandchild and also know my roots.
This is so emotional.
Thank God for the reunion.
And she truly looks so much like and one of her sisters
How about responsible dads like us who are who are denied the chance of seeing their kids by their evil mothers?
Hey Njuguna, sorry for that. But how can one be a responsible dad and still call the mother of his children Evil.
I have shed tears of joy for you, a truly happy ending. Unlike my story of my own dad missing from home for 20+ years. He abandoned us when I was born... the brothers have looked for him everywhere, in vain.
Beautiful story..I shed a few tears.. I'm glad you found your father..I grew up with my father and up until now I don't think I have understood how important that was and how it impacted me and my sense of belonging.
Beautiful story! Kenya is a beautiful Country!
What an emotional narrative.Sorry you had to go through all that but i am glad you were courageous enough to embark on this journey and we thank God,you met your father at last!
Very touching story! Beautifully done. I enjoyed watching it and I’m so happy you got to meet your dad, a complete replica of you.
What a beautiful ending. I am so glad you found your father, and this has given you peace in your heart.
This is the best story everrrrr!!! Also that’s your dad! I am so happy right now.❤️
Kapooow!!!
I love it ,I grew up without my both parents although my mother was there for us financially and occasionally,dad was absent ,i carried her mother’s name which added into my problem because of the discrimination at my maternal,I longed for my dad and I met him when I was 28 yrs old ,did I cry ?no ,I looked at him straight in the eyes and my dad just asked me how many children does my mother have ! No more of the past .I loved my dad .
I really feel like crying 😭😭 I always wondered what I could do to meet my own child who the mother and her family never want me to meet and show my love to but one day I will meet her and give her all the best in life I will never have a change of heart the day we will be reunited again no matter the difference we had will her mother
This was beautiful and so touching. Wishing you all the best, Leah.
Let’s appreciate the beautiful scenery in these rural villages
I love a story with a happy ending . And I love seeing Kenyan stories ❤
What an amazing story! It's like a fairytale but I am happy how it ended. Not like the Cinderella story. My heart is pumping really hard. I think I need to look my lost son too. Well done!
Thanks Namukabo Werungah for sharing your story. Really inspiring. This is something I have been thinking about for almost 30 yrs. Am one of those who need to find out where my child is after living in the USA for almost thirty years. Time to come home and look for my child.
Where are you from? Am looking for my daddy😭😭😭 0:03
I think this is a complete story of my life. My biological father was also a military personnel when he had an affair with my mom and I became the product of their affair. 30 years down the line I've not met my father yet, my mom only knows his name as Hamza Ahmed from Kano state in Nigeria.
Growing up without a father has really been aaaah🤦🏾♂️ especially as an adult going into relationships and possibly thinking of settling down, that big and very embarrassing question always comes up when my partner ask "who I was and where I'm from".
I've been embarrassed multiple times with this same question and not know what to do.
This movie played 100% the story of my life.
I'm happy for you sister for finally meeting your biological father, knowing your roots and being accepted by his family, that is my wish to but I do not know how long mine would last. 😢😢
Don't ever be ashamed of who you are, and the details of your life. If a partner judges you for not knowing your father (something beyond your control), you have to let that person go. I pray that you are able to find your dad, and that the meeting goes well!
@@ww5106 thank you for your kind words. I truly appreciate.
You can also do an ancestry dna test or 23andme, you may be surprised to see some cousins, many Nigerians are now on it,
Me too😭😭😭😭
@@Jaylove777how is ancestry DNA done please?
WOW! What an emotional rollacoaster! And I felt each of it. Such a wonderful documentary of something so many of us have to relate with. Thank you
Imagine i wept my tears , am happy he didn't reject her child.
I have respect for your carriage and determination to look for your father. I have followed your story from the beginning to the time you you met your father. Thank God you’ve made it. CONGRATULATIONS for the determination you had to look for him. Thank you for the this story which can ensure more people. I would love to meet you.
Soo happy for you getting to know your Father,I is good you took it on a positive way when you are grown up,never thought it was this sensitive congrats 🎉
She looks like him and her sisters. So happy for her. New Beginnings and Memories to be made.
Beautiful story. It made me shed a tear because I am in this very situation. I am afraid to have this conversation with my mother, but I am always wondering about him.
Very beautiful story with a happy ending. Im impressed. I wish her well, and encourage her to bond well with the father.
This is really emotional. You are so strong to take up this journey....
what a beautiful story .. i would say let go of the past as it doesn't serve you and look at the future .. thank you for sharing xxx greetings from Holland xxx
Beautiful and moving story Namukabo, thank you for being vulnerable and sharing it with us.
Thank you so much, this is a topic that is important for us kenyans, lets build strong families.
Who am I? Identity is very important. Heritage can't be washed away because it anchors a sense of belonging. The family tree👌
Wow! It took your courage and determination. This is amazing. Happy that you succeeded. Indeed a father needs to be present
What a beautiful documentary with happy ending.Namukabo that was bold move.
A very brave move. Am glad it was a success. Children of single parents deserve to know both parents if they so desire.
Beautiful story, kudos girl you did it.
Sadly your dad didn't know about your conception I believe he would have reached out.
To single mothers in similar situations please make an effort to reach out to the fathers of your children. For the sake of your children's mental wellbeing it means alot 🙏🙏
Oh, and she looks exactly like her father! ♥️
It's easy to look for a father as a child , but it's not easy for the father to look for the child in Kenya
Such an inspirational story. It's really fulfilling watching this documentary.
Such a beautiful story. I'm so glad that you found your father. I wish you happiness. Love from Malta.