Saika, New York

The Village Desiree Deserves

One of my proudest memories as Desiree’s aunt came when we were doing learning exercises together.

We asked her to find the letter A on the poster. She looked, thought about it, walked her little feet over and pointed right at it. The whole family erupted in claps, and she clapped too, smiling so wide. For her, it was fun. For us, it was a glimpse of her growing mind and how eager she is to learn. She’s a visual learner, and we try to nurture that by making play and learning interactive.

Desiree is also adventurous. She loves to climb on anything she can, which makes us nervous, but we know it’s part of her exploration. She’s obsessed with fruit and has a way of sensing when the refrigerator opens, rushing over with her quick little steps. Her curiosity makes us laugh every day.

Building Strong Foundations

When people see her photo in this campaign, I hope they notice her bright eyes and wide smile. She can be shy at first, observing quietly, but once she feels safe, her bubbly, silly side shines. That spark of joy is what I want the world to see. My biggest dream is that she grows up able to accomplish everything she sets her heart on, and that she always knows we’ll be her support system every step of the way.

I know how important it is to have a village. Our family is blessed to be large and close-knit—we share the responsibility of caring for Desire. But I think often of single mothers and families without that kind of support. It really does take a village to raise a child, and no parent should have to do it alone. That’s why I’m grateful campaigns like Believe in Babies are lifting up these stories—so more people can understand what families truly need.

“It really does take a village to raise a child, and no parent should have to do it alone.”

Saika

Our First Three Years Are Everything

Babies grow and learn so quickly. They need love, attention, and real interactions, not just screen time. Desiree reminds me every day how much babies absorb when we simply show up and engage. Love, presence, and support are what help children thrive.

By believing in babies and supporting families, we can create a world where every child has the chance to shine as brightly as they do. Her laughter, her curiosity and her innocence are a reminder of what’s possible when children grow up surrounded by love and care.

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