Batoul, the trusted voice protecting children in Abéché through vaccination

The sun is already high when Batoul Atidjani, 40, knocks on the door of a home in Kamina, a popular neighbourhood of Abéché, in Ouaddaï Province, eastern Chad. A young mother, her baby in her arms, welcomes her with a smile. Batoul listens to her concerns, answers her questions and takes the time to dispel rumours that fuel fears about vaccination. 

As a community mobilizer, Batoul serves as a bridge between families and health services. She raises awareness among parents, listens to their concerns, addresses rumours and supports vaccination teams in neighbourhoods. A mother of six and a trained teacher, she has been involved since 2016 in outbreak response and vaccination activities in Abéché and surrounding areas. 

Her commitment, however, began several years earlier, in 2010, when a measles outbreak severely affected her neighbourhood. 

“That year, a measles outbreak hit our neighbourhood of Kamina hard. Children were falling ill one after another. Fear had taken hold in every family. We watched the disease spread day after day, and the situation deeply affected us,” 

Batoul recalls. 

“I saw children in my community affected by measles, and the situation was really serious,” she says. “I accompanied some of the children to the Kamina health centre, where they received care. That day, I understood that vaccination could save lives.” 

Since then, Batoul has been walking across the neighbourhoods of Kamina. She goes from house to house, listens to families and explains why vaccination is important to protect children. During polio vaccination campaigns, she also accompanies vaccination teams, particularly in neighbourhoods where some families are hesitant or refuse vaccination. 

“Batoul’s intervention is often necessary to vaccinate children in certain neighbourhoods,” explains Abdallah Waradogou, head of the Kamina health centre. 

“She is highly appreciated in her community. Thanks to her, many families eventually agree to have their children vaccinated.” 

Her approach begins with listening. The training she received in social mobilization, social listening and interpersonal communication for vaccination and nutrition has strengthened her ability to identify families’ concerns, understand rumours and adapt her dialogue to the realities of each household. 

Her work also goes beyond vaccination. She raises awareness among pregnant women about antenatal and postnatal care, and among young mothers about nutrition, hygiene and essential childcare practices. 

For Hawa, one of the people reached by Batoul, a community meeting changed her perception of vaccination. 

“When I saw Batoul going around the neighbourhoods of Abéché to raise awareness among families, I thought she had nothing else to do with her time. Then, one day, she invited us to a community meeting where she explained the importance of vaccination. That discussion completely changed the way I saw things.” 

A few days later, Hawa recognized signs in a neighbour’s child that resembled those of diphtheria Batoul had talked about and accompanied the child to the health centre. 

“That day, I understood just how important Batoul’s work is and the impact that a simple awareness-raising session can have on a child’s life. Since then, I too have become involved as a community mobilizer and volunteer with the health centre, raising awareness among families and helping protect the children in our community,”

she says. 

Today, during vaccination campaigns, Batoul still walks from house to house, sometimes for hours, to make sure that no child under five is left behind. 

“When I see a vaccinated child smile or a mother thank me, I tell myself that all the effort is worth it,”

she says. 

Batoul’s commitment is a reminder that protecting children is not only about making vaccines available. It is also about building the trust families need to ask questions, overcome their concerns and access health services. In Kamina, Batoul plays this vital role every day, reaching one family at a time. 

With support from the Pandemic Fund, UNICEF strengthened the capacities of 2,206 community mobilizers in Ouaddaï Province in 2025 through training in interpersonal communication, social mobilization and community engagement to support outbreak response. These trainings strengthen their ability to listen to families, understand their concerns, address rumours and support communities in making informed decisions for the health of children and families.