Mamie's Journey to a Healthier Gbeka

Mamie and Gbeka exemplify just how life-changing water and sanitation projects are in rural Sierra Leone.

Before OneVillage Partners partnered with the community of Gbeka, the days of women were filled with the burden of fetching water from neighboring communities and their children defecating outdoors, which exposed the community to the risk of waterborne diseases. Open defecation was even preferred as it offered a means to examine faeces to track one’s health status, as was a longstanding traditional practice. So for Mamie, new latrines was perceived to be too expensive and too technically involved to construct.

Mamie Lansana

During Gbeka’s design phase of their community latrine project in 2019, the Community Action Group (CAG) held a community meeting where they presented a budget necessary to build a single latrine. Mamie was present and noted the costs associated with building a latrine. As the community mobilized and gathered the resources for construction, Mamie realized that with little savings and the local materials widely available, including sandstones, mud, and wooden poles, she too could build a latrine. Equipped with this knowledge, Mamie set a goal to build her own latrine closer to her home over the course of three months.

Mamie stated, “I felt directly motivated and inspired by this [OneVillage Partners] process to build my own latrine for my home and children.”

Did you know that access to clean water and sanitation facilities can reduce childhood mortality rates by up to 50%? That’s not just a number; it’s a lifeline for countless children like Mamie’s.

Armed with newfound knowledge and a determination that could move mountains, Mamie set out on a mission. She started saving cash from her garden sales and rounded up local materials. With each passing day, Mamie's confidence grew, and she got local boys to help dig the pit for her latrine.

She monitored their use of the materials she has purchased with her money. During community meetings and project implementation led by the CAG, Mamie had learned that monitoring was a necessary means to ensure accountability and project success.

Project Planning Team

Mamie wasn't just building a latrine; she was challenging stereotypes. In a community where latrine construction was seen as a man's job, Mamie showed that women are just as capable. Thanks to Mamie's grit and OneVillage Partners’ values of inclusivity and gender equity, she now boasts a fully functional latrine with a handwashing station for her home.

But Mamie's impact doesn’t end there. Improved hygiene practices mean fewer sick days, allowing her children to attend school regularly and pursue their dreams without the hindrance of preventable illnesses. It’s a ripple effect of positivity that extends far beyond the confines of a single project.

The sense of ownership ensures that Gbeka's journey towards development continues long after OneVillage Partners’ departure. It's proof that change starts with one person, one latrine, and one community at a time.