By Favour Oriaku
Building a more vibrant, secure, and sustainable future is important to eHealth Africa (eHA). And a key part of that mission is engaging the next generation with real-life work experiences. Where better to do that than around their heroes—their parents? Bringing kids into the office might conjure up images of chaos: papers scattered everywhere, loud noise, and maybe even crayon drawings on the walls. But at eHA, “Bring Your Kids to Work” day has turned into a big hit that everyone looks forward to—kids, parents, and colleagues alike.
For the past two years, eHA has been hosting “Bring Your Kids to Work” days. This event gives families a chance to learn more about what we do, understand our culture, and see our mission in action. We recently held our second edition, and it was a huge success! The office was buzzing with excitement as staff members welcomed their children into the workplace, creating a unique day filled with learning, creativity, and lots of laughter.
The day was jam-packed with activities to engage and educate the children. There were career talks where professionals shared insights into different career paths, inspiring the kids to think about their futures. Health tips were provided, thanks to the eHA Clinics, where the children learned about healthy living and even received vaccinations. They had a chance to ask questions about what their parents do at work, giving them a better understanding of the “mystery” behind the job titles. A campus tour allowed the kids to explore the office space, and creative painting sessions gave them the chance to unleash their imaginations. Of course, it wouldn’t be a kids’ day without playtime—bouncing castles were set up, and they were a big hit. Throughout the day, there were plenty of snacks and a delicious lunch to keep everyone energized. Each child left with wonderful gifts to remember the day by, a little piece of the organization’s branded materials to take home.
The event was about more than just fun, though. As Mr. Adesina, our HR Manager at eHealth Africa’s Kano HQ, put it, “This event was inspired by the HR team to bring families together, seeing that the staff are usually busy with a lot of work. It was also an avenue for the kids to meet other family members of eHA and for the children to see where their parents work, what they do, and integrate family life with work. We want to make sure our staff feel a sense of belonging. After the maiden edition, staff wanted it to be an annual event, hence the second edition.” He continued, “One of the intentions of this event was to educate staff kids on healthy living and career choices. Thanks to Dr. Ben Igbinosa, our Director of Finance and Administration (DFA), and eHA Clinics, these goals were achieved. There is an improvement from last year’s edition with the inclusion of health talks and vaccinations. We have plans to accommodate hybrid and remote staff, using technology as eHA is technology-driven. I appreciate the Executive team and staff for their support to the HR team and for making their children available for the event.”
Safety was a top priority for us during the event. Regina, our Associate HR Manager at eHealth Africa’s Kano HQ, highlighted this, saying, “What stood out for me is ensuring a safe space for the kids. Though eHA is always a safe space, with children, extra attention was needed. Knowing that kids love to explore their environment, we worked to seal up all electrical points.” We wanted to create a memorable experience, so each child went home with gifts to remember the day. “As one of the best places to work, our goal is to make eHA a family-friendly organization, so the ‘Bring Your Kids to Work’ event speaks to that,” Regina added.
Linda, our Senior HR Coordinator in the Abuja office, explained that this event is part of our corporate social responsibility towards our staff. “eHA believes in the power of shared experiences and the value of family,” she said. “Bringing your kids to work is a fun activity for the children while also showing our commitment to creating and supporting an inclusive workplace for all our staff. It also helps us recognize work-life balance, which is part of our culture.” Linda praised our staff for their ability to balance work and family life, noting, “Parents, especially those who have a professional career, are doing so well. I commend eHA staff for being able to balance their work with family life.”
At eHealth Africa, we know that our employees perform at their best when they can balance their professional and personal lives. Events like “Bring Your Kids to Work” not only provide a fun day for the children but also strengthen the bond between employees and the organization. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event and many more opportunities to celebrate our staff and their families.
Favour Oriaku, is a Senior Communications Coordinator, eHealth Africa
