Ebélabiwè was born in Manga, but spent much of her childhood in Bago (Tchamba district). Nicknamed “Akouvi,” she is one of 12 siblings. Akouvi dropped out of secondary school after the death of her father. She met her future husband in Bago, and in 2015, the couple decided to return to Manga to make a life for themselves. Akouvi and her husband made their living from farming. Struggling to make ends meet, she started selling the local drink and making braids. In 2019, the Chef Canton of Manga was looking for women who meet certain requirements to become Community Health Workers (CHWs) for the Integrated Primary Care Program. Akouvi applied and was selected. On completion of her training, she completed a month’s internship at the Manga health center and with the local CHW supervisor. She was a replacement CHW from 2019 to July 2021, when she was appointed. Akouvi confides that being a CHW has lifted her out of poverty. She’s doing something with her life, and her husband encourages and motivates her on a daily basis.
Ebélabiwè Bignale
