Migration for education, work or familial duties means that parental reach and influence is likely to be more limited in both real and symbolic terms from mid adolescence. However we know little about who provides the kinds of nurture, guidance, recognition and connections that mobile young people seek, and value, as they enter more adult roles. Yet, as Ward and colleagues (forthcoming) note, there is much we need to learn about programme transfer and local adaptation in low- and middle-income country settings.