Community leaders support, a tool for strengthening volunteers work in promoting household nutrition

In continuation with the service delivery on the fight against malnutrition among women of reproductive age and children under 5 in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kalumo and Kasakula in Ntchisi district, Malawi; Parent and Child Initiative (PACHI) is on the forefront in implementing activities in the mentioned areas to promote nutrition through Southern African Nutrition Initiative project .

In view of this on April 5, 2018 PACHI organised a two days orientation meeting with community leader like chiefs, faith leaders and other community significant figures in the catchment areas. The agenda of the meeting was to trace the availability of Community Leaders Action group in Nutrition (CLAN) and Area Community Leader Action group in Nutrition (ACLAN) committees in various Village development committees (VDC’s) around T/A Kalumo and Kasakula, and encourage them to fully support the volunteers (promoters, lead farmers and village agents) who will be work hand in hand with PACHI field officers in delivering nutrition messages to household.

During the meeting Senior Group village headman (SGVH) Nkambisi of Kalumo thanked PACHI for involving the CLANS and ACLANS as watch dogs for volunteers. He added saying that since the selection of CLANS members by other organizations through the District Nutrition Coordinating Committee, they were blank of their specific roles. Now that they are oriented, they will work hand in hand with community volunteers on the issues of nutrition in their communities.

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Senior Group Village Headman Mkambisi of Kalumo

Group Village Headman Chande put much emphasis on the need of having CLAN and ACLAN meetings. “We believe this is a good start for our volunteers to work effectively, we ask for more trainings so as enhance their knowledge and skills.” He added.

ACLAN and CLAN members are willing to work hand in hand with the structures (Care Groups, Farmer Clubs and Village Saving Loans Groups) to improve the nutrition status of women of reproductive age and children aged under 5 years. The involvement of CLAN and ACLAN in Community nutrition activities will close the gap between the structures and community leaders.

PACHI is implementing the Southern Africa Nutrition Initiative project in Ntchisi and Dowa with support from the Canadian government through Care Malawi.