The Story Behind
About Awo!
Dr. Annet Romain
PhD in Literacy • Founder of Awo!
Preserving the Ateso language and Iteso cultural heritage for children and families around the world.
Who I Am
I am Dr. Annet Romain, an Atesot woman born and raised in Uganda, an educator, wife, and mother of two daughters. I have spent many years teaching young children in New York City while remaining deeply connected to the Ateso language and culture. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies from Makerere University in Uganda, a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lehman College, and a PhD in Literacy from St. John’s University in the USA.
Why I Created Awo!
My love for Ateso began with my grandparents. My grandfather, an educator, taught our family that language is at the heart of identity. My grandmothers made sure we continued speaking Ateso at home, even after we moved to Mbale, where other local languages were more widely spoken. Those early lessons stayed with me and became the foundation for Awo! Learn Ateso.
My Research
My doctoral research explored how immigrant families preserve their heritage languages and cultural identities across generations. This work strengthened my understanding of the important role families, schools, and educational resources play in keeping a language alive.
Why Preserving Ateso Matters
As a mother raising bilingual children in the United States, I have experienced how challenging it can be to pass a heritage language from one generation to the next. Preserving Ateso gives children more than words. It connects them to their family, culture, history, and sense of identity.
Our Vision
Awo! Learn Ateso helps children and families connect with the Ateso language through engaging, meaningful, and culturally authentic learning experiences. My hope is to help families keep Ateso alive, strengthen children’s connection to their heritage, and pass the language and culture proudly from one generation to the next.