Human Empowerment Enthusiast

As an Author and WASH Specialist, throughout her career, Magdalene has contributed to building capacity and empowering others through her technical expertise and skillset and also through self-funded seminars and workshops she’s held in various countries across the globe. Building the testing capacity of water operators of Liberia’s national utility remains one of her most memorable achievements.

She warmly recalls: “Some of my fondest work-related memories are of water testing trips across Liberia. I would travel to the field to collect samples and test water from various hand- pumps and water points in Cape Mount, Lofa, and Nimba counties. With Liberia’s post-war road conditions, the arduous drive to these locations could take several hours by road. But once there, an overwhelming enthusiasm would kick in. I would don my crispy, starched white lab coat, and engineering boots and dash out to do what I love.

At the various community hand-pumps, the children would rush out and form a circle around my workspace, curious to see what I was up to. I would brief the community elders and residents on the purpose of my stop, telling them in simple Liberian English that I was there to “look inside their water” to see if it was safe to drink. Their excitement was so palpable. Some would bring benches out to sit and watch me work.

I would open my test kit, and piece by piece, the kids would ask what each instrument was, what it was used for and how this calculator-like instrument could tell if the water was safe or not. The girls were incredibly excited to see another girl doing something so complex. I would let them ask as many questions as possible, stretching the limits of their imagination.”