Profile and photos by Judy Gray
Diaboado is an “animateur” or field worker with APDC. He began his work with APDC in March of 2016, after the World Neighbours Canada grant with the Canadian government was signed. Prior to that time, he was employed by other NGOs in the Fada area, mentoring and leading workshops for villagers on the topic of nutrition and healthy eating.
Diaboado was born in 1975 and is married and has two children, both girls. He attended both elementary and high school and continued his education until he attained his high school diploma. Diaboado has completed a literacy course for the local language of Gourmanché;
and has also taken training on the topics of soil and water conservation, environmentally appropriate agricultural techniques, nutrition and healthy food preparation, and on becoming an effective mentor and leader during community sensitization sessions. He has also participated in carrying out surveys with villagers to gather information on their understanding, attitude and practices around the topic of nutrition.
While my husband and I were in Burkina Faso this past March, we were lucky to attend several village sessions with a focus on nutrition and watch Diaboado provide an explanation of the food groups and how to include an ingredient from each during meal preparation. He has a calm and quiet manner, but is comfortable and positive in his interactions with the villagers. Merci, Diaboada, for your involvement with APDC!
Hortense has worked as a field worker for APDC for the past year and a half. She recently completed the two year Government Health Care program at the local college and could work as a Health Care worker in one of the regional Centres de Santé but has chosen instead to work for APDC, providing in-service sessions to villagers on the topics of family planning, pre-natal and post-natal care for women, women’s rights as well as assisting with the food preparation demonstrations.
During the years 2000 – 2002, Hortense lived in Ouagadougou and worked in a Mission with a group of Catholic Sisters. There she learned about gardening, and cooking as well as learning how to sew. She now spends much of her time looking after her family, but also likes to read during any leisure time she may have.
During our visits to the project villages, we had a number of opportunities to watch Hortense interact with village men and women and it was clear that she has established a strong bond with the villagers and is well-respected by them. Hortense loves her job and enjoys working with the villagers. Her smile is warm, sincere and endearing! I feel that APDC is lucky to have Hortense as part of its team. It is thanks, in part, to World Neighbours Canada’s current Maternal Infant Child Health grant from the Canadian government, that APDC was able to hire an additional field worker, Hortense, to assist with implementing the programs.
Teodora lives in the community of Matasano, San Antonio de las Guarumas. She is 46 years old, and has participated in trainings in the Vecinos Integral Development programme of Las Guarumas since 2011. She is also a homemaker who is dedicated to caring for her family and the community. Teodora has served as a health volunteer in her community for many years and in 2015 she trained to be a Health Monitor which included training in AIN-C and early stimulation. She has had direct coordination with Vecinos Honduras and the Maternal and Infant Health Project. Teodora also serves on the health committee and is a Water Administrator for her community. She attended school through 3rd grade.
