Teach
Celebrate women who are empowering the next generation
Through this story, we celebrate Cyprienne, an empowered woman who is empowering the next generation to teach.
Teach [teech]
To impart knowledge or skill; give instruction
Cause (someone) to learn or understand something by example or experience.
Cyprienne is a champion of change in Djidomey, Benin, Africa.
After GAiN came to her village to drill a deep-capped water well, she witnessed, firsthand, the holistic changes that clean water can bring.
“We feel good because the water is clean,” she said. “We feel good when we drink it.”
Not only did clean water vastly improve the health of people in her village, the community development programs are also cultivating an awareness of healthy behaviours and practices.
When villages receive a well, they are invited to take part in community training programs. This includes training in family health, gender sensitivity, and hygiene and sanitation. Cyprienne personally found value in what she learned and even noticed improvements in people’s behaviours – whether it was more frequent hand washing or a husband treating his wife with more respect – as a result of the trainings.
Excited about her newfound knowledge, Cyprienne is now part of a group of family health advocates in Djidomey, where she observes to see if people in her community are implementing what they had learned about hygiene and health. If it seems that people have forgotten, she is quick to remind them. Wash your hands and use soap!
Cyprienne has been empowered with knowledge that is improving her overall wellness, and now with her advocacy, she is empowering others to share what they know and teach.
For just $8.50, you can provide one person with clean water for up to 25 years. $89 can provide one training session for a health clinic worker. $180 can provide five handwashing stations for a village.
