Zero Knowledge to Real Insight: Christiana Agbota on Learning Where WASH Meets Climate

Christiana Dogbeda Ewurama Agbota is from Ghana. She works as a midwife with the Ghana Health Service and holds a master’s in public health, focusing on public health issues that bridge health and social work while centring vulnerable and marginalised people, including persons with disabilities. She also holds a certificate in health administration and management. She volunteers with the Kwahu Asabi Royal Foundation, where she serves as Community Health and WASH coordinator.

Christiana joined the Women in WASH & RWSN mentorship programme as a mentee, matched with Ms. Makhosazana Fortunate Mamba of Swaziland.

Joining to Understand Climate Change and WASH

Christiana’s motivation for joining came shortly after she took on the role of WASH lead for the organisation she volunteers with. “I saw it as the right place to gain insight in the subject as I would be able to have access to seasoned experts in the sector. So I jumped at it motivated by my quest to understand the intersection of WASH and climate change.”

A Relationship That Went Above and Beyond

Christiana and her mentor explored the connections between WASH, climate change, and maternal and child health together. She struggles to put the experience fully into words, but points to her mentor’s openness as central to it. “My mentor has been extremely open to anything of concern I bring up. One of them that stood out most to me is how my need to understand climate change impacts WASH in relation to midwifery practice. Our relationship did not only center on professional growth but included spiritual and personal growth.”

A Shift From Zero Knowledge to Applied Insight

Christiana describes a significant change in her understanding of how climate change affects WASH and maternal health. “It has inspired me to embrace my role as the lead for WASH in the organisation I volunteer with. I have gained insights that will help me design projects and innovative ways to handle climate related issues in WASH.”

She credits her mentor’s approach for making the material accessible. “Ms. Fortunate made sure that I understood. She broke things down to their smallest so I could understand.” Christiana is candid about her starting point. “I came into the program with what I would describe as zero knowledge in that I understood WASH and climate change only in ways it benefits me, for instance my work on menstruation. But I am glad to say that the low knowledge has improved drastically.”

What Stood Out About Her Mentor

When asked what quality had the biggest impact on her, Christiana points to her mentor’s determination. She had expected to be matched with someone from a similar health background, and found their paths were quite different instead. “This difference did not affect our relationship at all and there was no instance where I had any doubt and need to request for a rematch.”

She describes what makes her mentor’s determination stand out. “She is a working woman, with a family. Enrolled in university and also enrolled as a mentor in this program. Her ability to do all these is worth recognising. Not only that, she comes top of her class.”

Building a Foundation for Mentoring Others

Christiana says the experience did not so much change her view of mentorship as prepare her for a future role in it. “I would not say it changed how I see mentorship, rather it built in me a foundation of how to be a mentor to others. Although I enrolled as a mentee, I learnt a thing or two that would guide me if one day I am a mentor to others. I also appreciated the fact that you do not have to be from the same background or field to be able to mentor others. Finding a common niche is all that it takes. As in my case, our common niche is WASH.”

Her Message to Anyone Considering the Programme

Christiana’s advice is enthusiastic and direct. “Run as fast as you can, secure a spot, have an open mind, fasten your seat belt, enjoy the journey and you will have no regrets.”

What She Recommends

When asked for a book, tool or resource recommendation, Christiana mentions two titles: Spirit Controlled Temperament by Tim LaHaye and Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. She explains her reasoning behind each. “Understanding the various temperaments will help you understand first of all yourself, then the people you come in contact with either as leader or subordinate and how to leverage your weaknesses and strengths.” Regarding the second book, she connects it to a personal philosophy. “One of my phrases is ‘everything is in the mind,’ and that is exactly what the second book is on. The mind is a battlefield, it is like a vast field, you will reap the outcome of whatever you feed it.”