The Hunger Project

Louise Finds Her Voice

Louise Lagni is 42 years old and lives in the village of Dotan in Benin. Her husband farms their small plot of land and grows, among other things, corn. Louise herself trades fruit, corn and peanuts at local markets.

Louise is a strong and proud woman – characteristics she demonstrates regularly when the women of her region come together for meetings in Zakpota Epicenter. These days, she voices her opinion clearly and without hesitation at these meetings, but this wasn’t always the case. “Before I had attended the [Vision, Commitment, Action] workshops at Zakpota Epicenter, my contributions to discussions in the village weren’t heard. Now I know much better how to articulate my opinion. Since attending these workshops I have become much more self-confident, and I am consulted more and more often when decisions are being made in my community. And, at the request of the women from my village, I have become the leader of the women’s credit group. Together we have taken out a loan at the Credit Bank, which we divide among us [to finance our income generating activities]. I also give the women advice about their businesses.”

More than Business as Usual

Twice a month, Louise calls together the women of the credit group from her village. During these meetings they discuss, among other things, difficulties that women encounter in their businesses. But these meetings are about more than business. Louise uses them to share a wide range information with her community. She explains how to prepare healthy meals for children and the importance of a good diet. She also gives advice about the illness prevention through hygiene precautions. “The information that I pass on, I have learned at the epicenter workshops. I am in touch with the staff members of the health clinic to obtain information about good hygiene, for example. It takes a lot of time to organize these meetings and I coach some of the women individually. But it brings me so much joy when I see the results of my efforts. A lot of women, for instance, know much better now how to feed their children well. That feels good.”

Health Care for a Community

As leader of the women’s group, Louise consistently works toward improved programs. For example, “there is a health clinic at Zakpota Epicenter, but for most women in my group it is too far away to walk to. So I have asked the staff to pay visits to the villages, for instance, to weigh the infants.” Unfortunately, Louise’s community lacked a building sufficient to house these medical activities. She soon petitioned the local government for the construction of a pailotte – a covered meeting place with a thatched roof. And she didn’t stop there. “Something else that I find very important is the war against malaria. When children develop this illness, the first necessary medications should be handed out at no cost so that everyone has access to this important form of care. I approached and worked with a local NGO to negotiate free availability of these necessary medicaments for everyone.”

Realizing dreams   

As a member of the village council, Louise is highly valued in her community. “Who would have thought that? In the VCA workshops of the epicenter I have learned to be more self-confident. As a result my whole attitude has changed. I have learned to read and write in the literacy courses at the epicenter and I want to pass that knowledge on. That is why, once a week, I teach a small group of women to read and write. I would love to help all these women to achieve what they want – to realize their dreams. And I do – by being the leader of the women’s credit group and by teaching my own literacy class. In this way our community advances!”  

Story & Photos by Johannes Odé, THP-Netherlands