Mentorship in action: Lydia Dziedzorm Senanu (L) and her mentor Pauline Egan (R) are working together to shape a brighter future for WASH.
Welcome to “Voices of Change,” a blog series dedicated to sharing the transformative stories of individuals who have participated in our Women in WASH Mentorship Program, in collaboration with the Rural Water Supply Network. Through the eyes of these emerging leaders, we witness the power of mentorship, cultural exchange, and professional growth within the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector.
We invite you to explore these stories with us and join in celebrating the inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of WASH!
From aspiration to impact: Lydia’s mentee journey
In April 2024, I was fortunate to be given a chance to join the Agenda for Change Women in WASH mentorship program for the first time. Through the program, I was introduced to my mentor, Pauline Egan, who has extensive knowledge and experience in managing WASH programs in rural Africa. Her expertise and availability were invaluable as she helped me expand my knowledge and skills in both WASH and rural sanitation.
The mentorship spanned six months, during which Pauline guided me in identifying my strengths and areas for improvement. Through our conversations, I gained a deeper understanding of WASH program management from Pauline’s perspective, and she shared her journey of working in rural Africa and advancing in her career. This connection allowed me to learn from her experiences and approach challenges with a more positive outlook.
Throughout the mentorship, we adapted to challenges such as time zone differences, and we found that using WhatsApp for our communications made it easy to stay connected. Pauline provided direct support with improving my CV, identifying job opportunities, and drafting a five-year career plan that highlighted areas to address for growth. Her guidance helped me recognize the value of my past experiences and gave me the confidence to pursue new opportunities that I initially felt I wasn’t qualified for.
Beyond career guidance, Pauline introduced me to her network, which eventually led to a job opportunity! Her inspiring journey and our shared experiences as women in WASH created a strong bond between us, and our mentorship evolved into a lasting friendship.
Reflecting on this journey, I feel this program was exactly what I needed, and I am immensely grateful to Agenda for Change and to Pauline for the support and inspiration she offered. I now hope to become a mentor in the future, sharing the knowledge and encouragement I received to help others achieve their potential.
Lydia Dziedzorm Senanu
A mentor’s perspective: Pauline Egan on mentoring Lydia
As a mentor in the Women in WASH Mentorship Program, Pauline Egan shared her thoughts on the rewarding experience of mentorship:
“Working with Lydia was a mutually beneficial, motivating, and insightful collaboration. She came with a strong academic foundation in WASH, and her curiosity brought out new perspectives for us both. Lydia was looking to put her university studies into real, hands-on practice, and I was thrilled to share ideas and approaches that came from my own hands-on journey in WASH leadership. Hearing about Lydia’s work with organizations in Ghana gave me valuable insight into other country contexts—knowledge that will actually help me as we expand my organization’s work into Ghana.”
Reflecting on her own growth as a mentor, Pauline explained:
“Naturally, self-doubt can creep in when you’re stepping into a mentorship role. I wanted Lydia to get the most out of her experience with me, so I took a more holistic approach. I realized that the mentorship wasn’t just about passing on technical knowledge; it was also about being someone who listens, who can help open doors, and who supports her through challenges. This experience strengthened my own professional relationships and capacity as a mentor. I found myself actively seeking ways to involve Lydia and my other mentee, Sofia, in new opportunities, which I really enjoyed. Thanks to them, I feel I’ve become a better advocate for creating opportunities for women worldwide who may not have had the same access I’ve had—or who just need a friend and cheerleader on their journey.”
Participating in the program has also influenced Pauline’s approach to collaboration and leadership:
“This program reminded me of the value my own lived experiences bring to others and showed me how much I still have to offer. I came away motivated to share more opportunities with other women and stay open to collaboration in new ways. During World Water Week, when a colleague asked me if I knew anyone who’d be a great fit for a leadership role in Ghana, I didn’t hesitate to recommend Lydia—and as fate would have it, she got the job! It brought me incredible joy to know I played a small role in helping her achieve this milestone in her career.”