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Namulanta Kombo, a development sector worker from Kenya, is the creator and presenter of Dear Daughter. Her "handbook to life" was named Podcast of the Year at the 2022 British Podcast Awards.

Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, I love my home and have spent the last nine years working in the development sector on projects affecting Kenyans. This includes educational programmes such as library installations, capacity building for educators and supporting government agencies on monitoring, evaluation and policy. I enjoy engaging with young children and run a play centre to promote learning through messy and imaginative play. At the play centre we have enjoyed planning national art competitions and family fun days for corporates.

Facing ageing, and seeing myself reflected in my daughter, I worried about what would happen if I was not around to help her navigate through life, or if I was there, but she felt that she could not talk to me. I started toying with the idea of writing her a 'handbook to life' that would gather anecdotes from the people around us. They would amuse her, teach her, make her think, spark interest but ultimately comfort her in the realisation that she is not alone. They would show that though her feelings are unique to her, our experiences are shared. The subsequent birth of my son spurred me to actualise the idea, because I realised this handbook can provide insight and create the allies sorely needed in society.

I opted to ask friends and family to write letters to the women in their lives, and considered the best way to get these letters out to the world. Podcasting became a viable option when I realised this was an introspective idea that would benefit from the flexibility offered through podcasting. The reading of the letters via podcast would be personal and emotive in a way that would not be possible through print or radio. Letters could be written and read from across the world and opinion not dominated by presenters. It was clear to me that podcasting was the way to go.